Duval County Public Schools

Become a DCPS Teacher

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) handles all matters pertaining to the issuance of educator certificates in Florida.  The FLDOE maintains a website containing detailed information regarding obtaining and maintaining a Florida Educator Certificate.  Information regarding eligibility, reciprocity, testing requirements and applications can be located on this website.  The website may be located at the following link: http://fldoe.org/teaching/certification

To be considered for hire in a teaching/instructional or certificated service positions with DCPS, an individual must be eligible for a Florida Educator Certificate (Temporary or Professional) by one of the options described below.

• Bachelor’s Degree with a Passing Score on the Florida Subject Area Examination (eligibility for reading and other master’s degree level subjects cannot be obtained using this option)
• Bachelor’s Degree with a Valid Certificate Issued by American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
• Bachelor’s Degree with an Appropriate Degree Major in the Content Area
• Bachelor’s Degree with Required Courses and 2.5 GPA in the Content Area

NOTE: All degrees and credit must be earned from an appropriately accredited institution in the United States or if outside the United States, be equivalent as determined by an approved credential evaluation agency. Click here for additional information.

An applicant may be eligible for a five-year, renewable, Professional Florida Educator Certificate, by one of these pathways:

• Valid Standard Certificate Issued by another State that has been reviewed by the FLDOE and determined to be acceptable
• Valid Certificate Issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
• Teacher Education Degree Program and Passing Florida Certification Examinations
• Florida Educator Preparation Institute Program and Passing Florida Certification Examinations
• Two Semesters of Full-Time College Teaching Experience, Passing the Florida Professional Education Test and Passing the Florida Subject Area Examination (for a Bachelor’s level subject). (NOTE: A graduate-level subject requires the graduate degree/coursework specified in the governing State Board Rule in addition to Passing the Florida Subject Area Examination.

In Florida, the Temporary Certificate is issued only after the candidate is properly employed in a position requiring certification.  Additionally, the Professional Certificate is issued only after the requirements for the Professional Certificate have been met in full.