Subject Area Knowledge

You may demonstrate mastery of Subject Area Knowledge as follows:

• For Bachelor's degree level subjects: Achievement of a passing score on the appropriate subject area examination* earned no more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application
  
• For Master's degree level subjects: Completion of the required degree and content courses listed in State Board rule for the subject and achievement of a passing score on the appropriate Florida subject area examination* earned no more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application

• For all subject areas:
  • Hold a valid standard certificate in the subject area applied for from a US state or territory (See Reciprocity), or
  • Hold a valid certificate in the subject area applied for issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (See NBPTS Chart) or the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
  • For select World Languages:
    • American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) examinations may be used in world languages without a Florida subject area examination. ACTFL scores above the intermediate level on both the Writing Proficiency Test and the Oral Proficiency Interview are acceptable if earned no more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application. For more information, visit ACTFL.
    • Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT) may be used in world languages except Latin. Scores of a two (2) or above on both the reading and listening subtests of the DLPT are acceptable if earned no more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application. For more information, visit The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.
    • Successful completion of the Basic Program of the Defense Language Institute of the United States, Department of Defense. For more information, visit The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

    *Note: There are a few subject areas for which no examination has been developed. For these areas the Bureau will provide you specific instructions for completing Subject Area Knowledge requirements once your complete application package is evaluated for certification.