Step 1

Apply for a Florida Teaching Certificate

Apply for a Florida Teaching Certificate at the Florida Department of Education

Florida Applicants should request that your college or university send official transcripts to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).

Out-of-State Applicants should:

  • Request that your college or university send official transcripts to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). Then submit a copy of your valid, standard, out-of-state certificate to the FLDOE and School Board of Polk County /Human Resource Services-Certification Office. (Write your social security number on each copy.)
  • Submit a copy of your valid,  standard, out-of-state certificate to the FLDOE.
  • Upload a copy of your valid, standard, out-of-state certificate to Polk County Public Schools. Certificates should be submitted to PCPS via the Applicant Registration System using the My Transcripts & Credentialing feature. Add this certificate by clicking the “Upload Credentialing Documentation” button, not the transcript button.

Send documentation to:

Florida Department of Education
Bureau of Educator Certification Room 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
(Contact the FLDOE toll free at 1-800-445-6739)

Note:  After the FLDOE evaluates your application, they will notify you of any additional certification requirements in a letter titled Official Statement of Status of Eligibility

Step 2

Complete the online employment application.

Complete the online employment application. 

  1. Read the Tips for Managing Your Online Application.
  2. Gather supporting documentation (i.e., work experience, education history, and reference contact information).
  3. Record the assigned Applicant Reference Identification Number that you receive, in a safe and accessible location. This is located on the top right-hand corner of your application.

Step 3

View and apply for available positions using the Job Browser located within your employment application.

View and apply for available positions on the Employment Openings page of the district’s website or by clicking the “Browse Jobs” tab in your online application.

  1. You will only be able to apply for positions for which you are reporting certification and are qualified to teach. If you receive the error, “You do not match this position,” then what you have reported in the certification section of your application does not match the requirements for the position for which you are applying. If this occurs, you may:
    1. Update the certification section of your application,
    2. Contact jobs@polk-fl.net to have your resume and information sent to the hiring principal, or
    3. Contact the hiring administrator directly to express your interest in the position.
  2. The automated Applicant Registration System (ARS) will notify you of your interview status.
  3. If/when you are selected for an interview, you will need to access your online application and accept or decline the interview.

Additional Information for Applicants

Florida university/college education major intern (completing final internship)

  • Request a Letter of Conferral from the college/university reflecting that you have no financial holds and have successfully completed all requirements to earn your bachelor’s degree.
  • Upload the Letter of Conferral to your online application in the Transcripts and Credentialing section. Add this certificate by clicking the “Upload Credentialing Documentation” button, not the transcript button.
  • Apply for a Florida teaching certificate by visiting fldoe.org.

Once the degree is officially awarded or conferred, submit an official transcript to the Florida Department of Education along with your FDOE application.

Non-education degree major

Need to register for a Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) or Florida Educator Leadership Exam (FELE)?

Visit www.fl.nesinc.com and register for the necessary exam(s) needed to be eligible for Florida certification and employment with Polk County Public Schools.

Note to Provisional Substitutes: Passing the subject area exam allows you to be hired/upgraded as a full-salaried teacher, should all other requirements be met. Please know that this exam is the first one we recommend passing (rather than the General Knowledge or Professional Ed Tests) if you have not been deemed eligible by the FDOE to receive a certificate and/or do not have an education background that aligns with the field you are trying to teach. Documentation of you passing this exam will be used to determine if you are eligible to be hired as a full-salaried teacher.

Contact teacherengagement@polk-fl.net if you’d like to receive study resources for the FTCE exams.

Subject Area Exam (SAE)

  • SAEs are exams used to assess the competencies of prospective teachers according to Florida’s Standards.
  • There are 42 different types of subject area examinations.
  • Passing the appropriate FTCE exam is considered one part of the requirements for becoming a licensed teacher in Florida.

General Knowledge Test (GKT)

  • The GK is a basic skills test.
  • It consists of 4 subtests: Essay, English Language Arts, Math, and Reading.

Professional Education Test (PET)

This test assesses pedagogy and professional teaching practices.

Florida Educator Leadership Exam (FELE)

This test is required for the certification of school-based administrators.