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LicenseReciprocity

Teaching License from Georgia to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification ↗

Yes — Florida recognizes teaching certificates from all states, including Georgia. Apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.

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Verdict

Full reciprocity

Coming from Georgia, Florida is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Florida for its own credential, not carrying your Georgia license across. Florida's streamlined recognition shortens the path, and if you have several years of experience or National Board certification, its exams may be waived entirely. The requirements below are what Florida still asks.

What changes, Georgia → Florida

Side-by-side: Georgia vs Florida (Teaching (K-12)), verified 2026-08-07
Georgia (current)Florida (destination)
Application fee$0–$20 ($20 processing fee payable via MyPSC for all certification transactions; waived for an applicant's first Georgia certificate when the application is supported by an employing Georgia local unit of administration (LUA). GACE exam fees and fingerprinting costs are additional.)$75 ($75 processing fee per subject for an initial Florida certification application (non-refundable), per the FLDOE Certification Application Fee Schedule; district fingerprint/background screening costs are separate)
Processing time~2 weeks (GaPSC publishes no fixed range; it posts a live queue date and asks applicants to 'wait at least two weeks after completing your application' before contacting the office. On 2026-08-07 the site stated it was processing complete application packages received on or before July 27, 2026.)A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages
Licensing authorityGeorgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Florida sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Florida's current requirements on the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Apply for an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, then the certificate, with the Bureau of Educator Certification.
  5. Provide a valid (unexpired, not revoked) standard out-of-state certificate comparable to the Florida Professional Certificate, OR a currently valid NBPTS certificate.
  6. If not all Professional Certificate requirements are met, obtain a Temporary Certificate (valid three school years, non-renewable) to teach while completing them.
  7. Complete the fingerprint-based background screening through the employing Florida school district.
  8. Pay the fees ($75 ($75 processing fee per subject for an initial Florida certification application (non-refundable), per the FLDOE Certification Application Fee Schedule; district fingerprint/background screening costs are separate)) and allow A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages.

Official links

Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification ↗Florida application ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Florida → GeorgiaTeaching in GeorgiaTeaching in FloridaAll teaching states

Frequently asked questions

Does Florida accept a Georgia teaching license?

Yes — Florida recognizes teaching certificates from all states, including Georgia. Apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification for a reciprocal license; you will not repeat the full exam or education.

Will I have to retake tests moving from Georgia to Florida?

Florida's FTCE exams are NOT required for the reciprocity route: a valid standard educator's certificate from another state that is comparable to the Florida Professional Certificate (same or higher training level, comparable subject) qualifies the holder for the Florida Professional Certificate without the FTCE; a valid National Board (NBPTS) certificate qualifies the same way. Applicants who lack a comparable standard certificate are instead issued a Temporary Certificate and must pass the required FTCE within its term. Holding a Georgia license does not by itself waive Florida's tests — experience or National Board certification is what typically does.

Can I teach in Florida right away?

Generally yes on a provisional or one-year Florida certificate issued while you complete its requirements; districts hire on that credential.

What does the Georgia-to-Florida transfer cost and how long does it take?

$75 ($75 processing fee per subject for an initial Florida certification application (non-refundable), per the FLDOE Certification Application Fee Schedule; district fingerprint/background screening costs are separate); processing A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]