Does the University make my application for certification for me? 
NO. The student is responsible for applying to Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for his/her professional teaching certificate. See http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/ for application and directions.

For Which Certification Do I Apply?

Early Childhood Education students: apply for professional teaching certification in Early Childhood Education, Pre-Kindergarten/Primary (age 3 - grade 3) AND ESOL Endorsement (these are two separate items on the application)

Educational Leadership students: apply to add your subject area, Educational Leadership (K-12), to your certificate

Elementary Education students (BS and MAT): apply for professional teaching certification in Elementary Education (K-6) AND ESOL Endorsement (these are two separate items on the application)

English Education students: apply for professional teaching certification in English Education (6-12) AND ESOL Endorsement (these are two separate items on the application)

Reading Education students: apply to add your subject area, Reading Education (K-12), to your certificate

Social Science Education students: apply for professional teaching certification in Social Science Education (6-12)

Special Education students: apply for professional teaching certification in Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Elementary Education (K-6) if applicable, AND ESOL Endorsement (these are all separate items on the application)

When Do I Apply for My Teaching Certificate?
The student will make application to FLDOE after graduation. You must wait for your degree and final grades to be posted to your transcript before making this application.

How Do I Apply for My Teaching Certificate?

1. Apply online at www.fldoe.org/edcert and pay appropriate fees
2. Be sure to apply for ESOL Endorsement too, if applicable to your degree
3. You must supply a sealed, official transcript to FLDOE to complete your application.
   1. Order your transcript from the Registrar’s Office AFTER your degree and final grades have been posted (this will be approximately 4-6 weeks after the graduation ceremony).  Transcript Request Form
   2. If you send transcripts to FLDOE without these items on your transcript, your professional certification will not be granted.

Steps in the Professional Certification Process

1. Pass all three portions of the FTCE: General Knowledge Test; Professional Education Test; and your major's Subject Area Exam (note: Reading Education must pass the reading subject areas exam only; Educational Leadership majors must pass the FELE only)
2. Degree and final grades posted on USF transcript.
3. Apply online to FLDOE and pay appropriate fees.
4. Mail a sealed, final official USF transcript to FLDOE to complete your application. (Transcript Request)
5. Receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility from FLDOE detailing your eligibility for both a temporary and professional certificate and remaining requirements, if any, needed to earn each certificate.
6. Seek employment.
7. You will be required to be fingerprinted prior to hiring and receiving your professional certificate.