Yes, you can teach in Florida with a temporary certificate, but only in specific roles and for a limited time
A temporary certificate in Florida allows you to work as a classroom teacher while you complete the requirements for a standard certificate. You can teach full-time in a public school, charter school, or private school that accepts temporary certificates. The catch is that your certificate expires — usually after two years — and you must have a clear path to a standard certificate before you start, not after.
Florida's Department of Education recognizes temporary certificates as a way to fill teacher shortages while candidates finish their degree, pass required exams, or complete fingerprinting and background checks. The state does not treat temporary certificates as a permanent teaching credential. Your employer knows this from the start, and so should you.
Key Takeaways
- A temporary certificate lets you teach full-time in Florida public, charter, and private schools while you work toward a standard certificate.
- Your temporary certificate expires after two years, and you must have already started the process to earn a standard certificate before you are hired.
- You can teach any subject area for which you hold a temporary certificate, but you cannot move to a different subject without a new temporary certificate.
- If your temporary certificate expires and you have not earned a standard certificate, you must stop teaching when ready — there is no automatic renewal.
What a temporary certificate covers and what it does not
A temporary certificate covers one specific subject area or grade band. If you hold a temporary certificate in elementary education, you can teach grades K–6 in any public school that hires you. If you hold one in secondary mathematics, you teach math in grades 6–12. You cannot teach science with an elementary certificate, and you cannot move to a different subject without explore for a separate temporary certificate.
A temporary certificate does not cover administrative roles, counseling, or specialized positions like speech pathology or school psychology. Those roles require their own certificates. You also cannot use a temporary certificate to teach in a subject area that requires a state exam you have not yet passed — for example, you cannot teach high school biology on a temporary certificate if you have not passed the biology subject-area exam.
How long a temporary certificate lasts and what happens when it expires
A temporary certificate is valid for two years from the date it is issued. During those two years, you must complete all requirements for a standard certificate in your subject area. Requirements vary by route but typically include passing required exams (such as the Florida Teacher Certification Exam and a subject-area exam), finishing a bachelor's degree if you do not have one, and clearing a background check and fingerprinting.
When your temporary certificate expires, you must hold a standard certificate to continue teaching. If you do not, your employment ends. Florida does not issue extensions or renewals of temporary certificates. If you are close to finishing your requirements, talk to your school's human resources office about timing — some districts can work with you on your last exam or degree completion, but the law does not require them to.
Who issues temporary certificates and how to get one
The Florida Department of Education issues temporary certificates. You do not request one directly from the state. Instead, your employer — the school district or charter school — requests it on your behalf once you have been hired. The school needs proof that you meet the basic requirements: a high school diploma or equivalent, a passing score on the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (or equivalent), and clearance from a background check.
Some routes to a temporary certificate move faster than others. If you already hold a bachelor's degree and have passed the required exams, your school can request a temporary certificate within days. If you are still finishing your degree or waiting for exam results, the process takes longer. Ask your hiring school what documents they need from you and in what order — they manage the paperwork with the state, not you.
Temporary certificates for career changers and out-of-state teachers
If you have a bachelor's degree but no teaching background, you can get a temporary certificate while you complete a teacher preparation program or pass the required exams. Florida accepts candidates from out-of-state teacher preparation programs, but you must pass Florida's exams and background check. A temporary certificate lets you start teaching while you finish those steps.
If you hold a teaching certificate from another state, Florida may recognize it as equivalent to a standard certificate — you do not need a temporary certificate at all. Check with the Florida Department of Education's Bureau of Educator Certification to see whether your out-of-state certificate transfers. If it does not fully transfer, you may be issued a temporary certificate while you complete Florida-specific requirements.
What employers look for when hiring someone with a temporary certificate
Schools hire teachers on temporary certificates knowing the certificate will expire. They expect you to be actively working toward a standard certificate and to finish on schedule. If you fall behind on exams, degree completion, or other requirements, tell your principal or human resources contact early — do not wait until your certificate is about to expire.
Some districts prioritize hiring teachers on temporary certificates for hard-to-fill positions like mathematics, science, special education, and English language arts. Other districts are more cautious and prefer candidates already holding a standard certificate. Private schools and charter schools may have different hiring practices. Ask during the interview process what support the school offers for teachers completing their certification — some provide exam prep, tuition reimbursement, or schedule flexibility.
Moving to a standard certificate before your temporary certificate expires
Once you have completed all requirements for a standard certificate — passed all exams, finished your degree, and cleared your background check — you can request a standard certificate from the Florida Department of Education. Your school's human resources office can help you submit the paperwork. A standard certificate has no expiration date (though you must renew it every five years by completing continuing education hours).
Do not wait until your temporary certificate is about to expire to explore for a standard certificate. If your temporary certificate expires before your standard certificate is issued, you cannot teach, even if your process is pending. Plan to have your standard certificate in hand at least a month before your temporary certificate expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I teach in Florida with a temporary certificate from another state?
No. A temporary certificate is issued by Florida and is only valid in Florida. If you hold a temporary certificate from another state, you must get a Florida temporary certificate. Contact the Florida Department of Education's Bureau of Educator Certification to find out whether your out-of-state certificate can transfer as a standard certificate instead.
What happens if I do not finish my standard certificate requirements before my temporary certificate expires?
Your temporary certificate expires and you can no longer teach in Florida. You cannot renew it or extend it. If you want to teach again, you must start the temporary certificate process over — which means being hired by a school first and meeting all the original requirements again.
Can I switch subject areas while I have a temporary certificate?
No. Your temporary certificate covers one subject area only. If you want to teach a different subject, you must get a separate temporary certificate in that subject. Your school would need to request it from the state, and you would need to meet the requirements for that subject (including passing the subject-area exam if one is required).
Do private schools in Florida accept temporary certificates?
Many do, but not all. Florida law allows private schools to hire teachers on temporary certificates, but each school sets its own hiring policy. Ask the private school directly whether they hire teachers on temporary certificates and what requirements they have.
Can I teach online or in a virtual school with a temporary certificate?
Yes. Florida virtual schools and online charter schools hire teachers on temporary certificates the same way brick-and-mortar schools do. The temporary certificate requirements and expiration rules are the same.