Teaching License from Minnesota to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Usually, with conditions — Florida issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Minnesota teaching certificate, usually without its tests. It is not an automatic exchange: apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification and meet any condition it sets for your credential.
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Coming from Minnesota, Florida is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Florida for its own credential, not carrying your Minnesota license across. Florida issues its own certificate to a teacher holding a comparable Minnesota certificate, usually without its tests; a credential it does not treat as comparable takes a different route. The requirements below are what Florida still asks.
What changes, Minnesota → Florida
| Minnesota (current) | Florida (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $89 ($89.00 initial/first-time Minnesota educator license application fee, which includes the fingerprint card fee; $57.00 for existing Minnesota license holders. Non-refundable, paid by check or money order payable to PELSB — no cash. This supersedes the $90.25 fee printed on the February 2025 application forms) | $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 | PELSB publishes no processing timeframe on the Tier 3 or Tier 4 application forms; it warns only that partial or incomplete applications will be returned | A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages |
| Licensing authority | Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) | 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
- Confirm Florida's current requirements on the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Apply for an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, then the certificate, with the Bureau of Educator Certification.
- Provide a valid (unexpired, not revoked) standard out-of-state certificate comparable to the Florida Professional Certificate, OR a currently valid NBPTS certificate.
- If not all Professional Certificate requirements are met, obtain a Temporary Certificate (valid three school years, non-renewable) to teach while completing them.
- Complete the fingerprint-based background screening through the employing Florida school district.
- 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)). Processing time: A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida accept a Minnesota teaching license?
Usually, with conditions — Florida issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Minnesota teaching certificate, usually without its tests. It is not an automatic exchange: apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification and meet any condition it sets for your credential.
Will I have to retake tests moving from Minnesota 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.
Can I teach in Florida right away?
Yes, once the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) - Bureau of Educator Certification issues your Florida certificate; for a comparable certificate it usually comes without Florida's tests. Build its processing time into your start date.
What does the Minnesota-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 time: 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.
- FLDOE - Certified Teacher or Administrator (two reciprocity routes to the Professional Certificate; comparable standard cert or NBPTS; FTCE not required; 3-year non-renewable Temporary Certificate) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- FLDOE - Certification Application Fee Schedule ($75 per subject) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PELSB — Application for a Tier 3 Minnesota Educator License, April 2026 ($89.00 first-time fee including fingerprint card, $57.00 existing holders; Section 4 licensure pathways incl. out-of-state license plus two years of experience; Section 6A out-of-state test verification scope) [PDF] ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PELSB — Application for a Tier 4 Minnesota Educator License, April 2026 (three years of teaching experience required for all initial Tier 4 applications; five-year validity; same $89.00/$57.00 fees) [PDF] ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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