• The Florida Department of Education allows for exemptions from some of the Florida Certification Teacher Examinations (FTCEs). Please see the information below and contact our office to make sure you qualify for the exemption(s). 

    General Knowledge Exam

    You may be exempt from the General Knowledge exam (four parts) for the following reasons: 

    1. You have a Master’s degree in any subject
    2. You have attempted and failed at least one section of the GK and have three subsequent years of Effective or Highly Effective summative evaluations
    3. You have a qualifying score on the ACT, SAT, CLT, or GRE exam.  
      Rule 6A-4.0021 (12) Alternative Assessments: Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Revised General Test, SAT, ACT, and Classic Learning Test (CLT). GRE test administrations conducted on or after July 1, 2015, and SAT, ACT, and CLT test administrations on or after March 1, 2016, may be used as an acceptable means of demonstrating a mastery of general knowledge. In all cases, the minimum required score on the GRE, SAT, ACT, and CLT must have been earned during the ten (10) years immediately preceding application and qualification for a certificate, unless otherwise stipulated in law or rule. The scores listed below shall be considered the minimum passing scores that may be used to satisfy the demonstration of mastery of general knowledge requirements. Passing scores are required in each of the general knowledge content areas assessed on the General Knowledge Test, which include writing (essay), English language skills, reading, and mathematics. The table below provides the content area subtests for GRE, SAT, ACT, and CLT, followed by the minimum required scores to satisfy the General Knowledge requirements.
       
       
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    Subject Area Exam

    You may be exempt from your Subject Area Exam if you have a Master's degree in the exact subject. For example: you hold your temporary teaching certificate in English; you must have a Master's degree in English, English Literature, Creative Writing or Language Arts in order to be exempt from the Subject Area Exam. Please contact our office for a full list of qualifying degrees in your subject(s).

    Professional Education Exam

    You may be exempt from the Professional Ed exam if: 

    • You have 3 years of Effective or Highly Effective summative evaluations during the 5-year period of your temporary certificate.
      • This exemption option cannot be used if you complete the district PLCP program, an out-of-state approved program (OSAP) or a state approved EPI program
    • OR You have a Highly Effective summative evaluation in the year immediately preceding your upgrade from temporary to professional.
      • This exemption only applies to those who have completed the PLCP program

    For all exemptions, we highly recommend speaking directly with our office to make sure you qualify. There are many exceptions to these rules!