Teaching License from Virginia to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Usually, with conditions — Florida issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Virginia 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 Virginia, Florida is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Florida for its own credential, not carrying your Virginia license across. Florida issues its own certificate to a teacher holding a comparable Virginia 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, Virginia → Florida
| Virginia (current) | Florida (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $100–$150 (VDOE Fee Schedule for Licensure (revised January 2025) sets the initial license fee by the address on the application - 100 USD in-state, 150 USD out-of-state; an applicant still living out of state pays 150 USD. Background-check costs are charged separately by the hiring division.) | $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 | ~3 weeks (Statutory, and specific to the universal-reciprocity path - VDOE must determine and communicate eligibility for licensure by reciprocity within 15 business days (about 3 weeks) of receiving a complete application packet, and must prioritize those applications. VDOE publishes no general week range for other licensure applications.) | A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages |
| Licensing authority | Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) - Office of Licensure | 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 Virginia teaching license?
Usually, with conditions — Florida issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia-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)
- 8VAC20-23-100 - Conditions for licensure for out-of-state candidates by reciprocity (universal licensure by reciprocity; no service requirements or licensing assessments for a 3-year license holder) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Code of Virginia 22.1-298.1 - universal licensure by reciprocity; 15-business-day eligibility determination; prioritized applications ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- VDOE - Fee Schedule for Licensure, revised January 2025 (initial license 100 USD in-state / 150 USD out-of-state) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- VDOE - Licensure Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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