Certification Overview

Questions about becoming a certified teacher in Florida? Just ask the certification experts! The certification team is eager to assist you in accomplishing your goal of becoming a certified teacher.

Need Help?

Out of Field Teachers

Professional Certificate Renewal Information

How to Renew Your Professional Certificate

(Current Employees)

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’s  and Renewal Checklist

STEP 2

2. Access

Access the Staff Portal to complete and submit the Polk County Schools Certification Renewal Payment Form.

STEP 4

4. Apply

Review the step-by-step instructions Instructions for Renewal Application Process for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply for renewal.  (Note: Select District Affiliation: 53-Polk)

How to Renew Your Professional Certificate

(Former/Retired Employees)

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’s for renewal

STEP 3

3. Review

Review the step-by-step instructions Former Employees –Instructions for Renewal Application Process for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.  

STEP 4

4. Apply

Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply to renew your Professional Certificate at the FLDOE.Notes:

  • Select FLDOE Affiliation: 100-FLDOE
  •  Payment must be submitted and processed with the FLDOE
  • Send a request to patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net to submit your In-service Points (i.e., CT116 Form) to the FLDOE.

How to Renew Your Professional Certificate

(Charter Employees)

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’S TO RENEW YOUR 5-YEAR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION under the methods of renewal section.

STEP 2

2. Complete

Complete and submit the Polk County School Certification Renewal Payment Form. Staple your method(s) of renewal to this form.

STEP 4

4. Apply

Review the step-by-step instructions Instructions for Renewal Application Process-Charter Schools for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply for renewal.  (Note: Select District Affiliation: 53-Polk)

Adding a Subject Area or Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

Polk County Public School Employees

Professional Certificate

Adding a subject area

Note:  Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add a coverage that does not require a master’s degree or higher.

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 3 – Apply: Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Subject. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)   Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Screenshot of steps to adding a subject to professional teaching certificate.

Adding an Endorsement

Note:  Follow these steps if you completed one of the following Endorsement Programs through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading. DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 3 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject and/or Endorsement using an official transcript

Note:  Follow these steps if you are seeking:

  • Evaluation of official college transcripts to see what Reading Competencies and/or ESOL courses you may have already completed
  • Addition of coverages that require a master’s degree or higher such as:  Educational Leadership, Guidance & Counseling, and/or Reading K-12
  • Addition of School Principal certification by completing the Florida District School Principal Certification Program through PCPS

 

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate.  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply. (Note:  You will submit the application fee directly to the FLDOE.)
  • Step 3 – Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.

Temporary Certificate

Adding a subject area

Note:  Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add a coverage to your temporary certificate.

Image of Educator Additional Subject Application Instructions

Adding an Endorsement

Note:  Follow these steps if you completed one of the following Endorsement Programs through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading. DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 3 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject Area or Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

Charter School Employees

Professional Certificate

Adding a subject area

Note:  Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add a coverage that does not require a master’s degree or higher.

Screenshot of steps to adding a subject to professional teaching certificate.

Adding an Endorsement

Note:  Follow these steps if you completed one of the following Endorsement Programs through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading. DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject and/or Endorsement using an official transcript

Note:  Follow these steps if you are seeking:

  • Evaluation of official college transcripts to see what Reading Competencies and/or ESOL courses you may have already completed
  • Addition of coverages that require a master’s degree or higher such as:  Educational Leadership, Guidance & Counseling, and/or Reading K-12
  • Addition of School Principal certification by completing the Florida District School Principal Certification Program through PCPS

 

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate.  Click here to access your FLDOE account and complete the Add-On Application. (Note:  You will submit the application fee directly to the FLDOE.)
  • Step 3 – Email:  Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.

Temporary Certificate

Adding a subject area

Note:  Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add a coverage to your temporary certificate.

Image of Educator Additional Subject Application Instructions

Adding an Endorsement

Note:  Follow these steps if you completed one of the following Endorsement Programs through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading. DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding
  • Step 2 – Submit: Submit the Add—On Application Money Order Form and Money Order for $75.00 to the District Certification Dept.
  • Step 3 – Apply: Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Below is a list of the most updated staff members that are