Certification Information

Interested in obtaining a Florida Educator Certificate in order to teach in Marion County Public Schools? Review these options to determine your path to certificate eligibility. Once you are eligible for a certificate, follow the steps outlined below to apply with the Florida Department of Education for an educator certificate.

Certificate Eligibility Options

Option 1: Have a bachelor’s or higher degree in a qualified major. Review a list of qualified majors.

Option 2: Have a bachelor’s degree in any subject and pass a subject area exam. Register for a subject area exam here. MCPS employees may request a free study book here.

Option 3: Complete an education program at an approved, accredited university in a qualified major. Review a list of qualified majors here.

Option 4: Have a valid, out of state certificate in a comparable subject to a subject area issued by the FLDOE. The Florida Department of Education has reciprocity with all states and US territories, however, only the FLDOE determines which certificate types and subject areas are eligible for reciprocity.

Option 5: Have four years of military service and sixty (60) semester hours of college credit. Review additional requirements here.

Option 6: Be currently enrolled in a Florida teacher preparation program, ready for your final student teaching semester, and have the approval of your college/university. Review additional requirements here. Note that MCPS must have an agreement with the college/university.

Process for Educator Certification

  1. Meet one of the eligibility options listed above.
  2. Complete an online application with the FLDOE.
  3. Pay the application fee which is $75/subject.
  4. Mail your official college transcripts to the FLDOE.

Bureau of Educator Certification
Florida Department of Education
Room 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400

Click here for Certification Application Troubleshooting.

Click to find How-to Videos from the FLDOE for submitting on-line applications.

View current Certificate Subjects here.

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 1012.57, Certification of adjunct educators, and 1012.56 (2)(a)-(f) and (10), Educator certification requirements, the Marion County School District has a process for issuing adjunct teacher certificates. Click on Adjunct Teacher Certification for additional information.

Contacts for Certification

Carole Gray, Certification Specialist
Phone: (352)671-7781

Robert Grissom, Assistant Certification Specialist
Phone: (352)671-7517

DOE - Bureau of Educator Certification
Phone: (800) 445-6739
Website: http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/index.stml
Call 850-245-9796 to set up a phone appointment.