FTCE Information
The Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education (ESE)/Elementary Education and UWF-Teach programs lead to professional teacher certification in the state of Florida. Students in these certification programs must take and pass a series of state-mandated exams, the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCEs). Students who are earning a Professional Education minor are not required to take the FTCEs to graduate, but it is recommended.
Teacher Certification
- To register for any of the above tests, visit the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) / Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) website.
- For a list of study materials, see the UWF Libraries' FTCE/FELE Prep Guide.
- Test scores are valid for 10 years prior to the date of application for teacher certification.
General Knowledge (GK) Exam
Elementary Education, ESE/Elementary Education and UWF-Teach students are required to pass the General Knowledge (GK) exam prior to being admitted to their certification program. The GK exam includes the following sub-tests:
- Essay
- 50 minutes
- English Language Skills
- Approximately 40 questions
- 40 minutes
- Reading
- Approximately 40 questions
- 55 minutes
- Math
- Approximately 45 questions
- 100 minutes
Professional Education (PED) Exam
Elementary Education, ESE/Elementary Education and UWF-Teach students are required to pass the Professional Education (PED) exam prior to student teaching, by the application deadlines (i.e., May 1 for fall, October 1 for spring). This test includes approximately 120 questions and the time allotted is 150 minutes.
Subject Area Exams (SAE)
Elementary Education and ESE/Elementary Education students are required to pass the Subject Area Exam (SAE) for Elementary Education K-6 prior to student teaching, by the application deadlines (i.e., May 1 for fall, October 1 for spring). The Elementary Education K-6 exam includes the following sub-tests:
- Language Arts and Reading
- Approximately 60 questions
- 65 minutes
- Social Science
- Approximately 55 questions
- 65 minutes
- Science
- Approximately 55 questions
- 70 minutes
- Mathematics
- Approximately 50 questions
- 70 minutes
Resources:
Fall Student Teaching Study Sheet
Spring Student Teaching Study Sheet
Exceptional Student Education K-12
ESE/Elementary Education students are also required to pass the SAE for Exceptional Student Education K-12 prior to student teaching by the application deadlines (i.e., May 1 for fall, October 1 for spring). This test includes approximately 120 questions and lasts 150 minutes.
Secondary Math and Science
UWF-Teach students are required to pass the SAE in the subject that reflects their major prior apprenticeship teaching by the application deadlines (i.e., May 1 for fall, October 1 for spring).
Secondary English and Social Studies
Students completing a minor in Professional Education are encouraged to take the SAE that reflects the subject they wish to teach along with the GK and the PED.
- English 6 - 12
- Middle Grades English 5 - 9
- Social Science 6 - 12
- Middle Grades Social Sciences 5 - 9
For more information on the FTCEs, visit the Florida Department of Education website.
Applying for Teacher Certification
Elementary Education, ESE/Elementary Education and UWF-Teach students are eligible to apply for professional certification with the Florida Department of Education upon graduation. There are application fees when applying for certification.
To complete the application process, visit the Florida Department of Education online application.
If you are interested in employment in a state other than Florida, please visit that state’s Department of Education website for information on teacher certification.
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