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LicenseReciprocity

Teaching License from Washington 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 Washington. 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 Washington, Florida is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Florida for its own credential, not carrying your Washington 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, Washington → Florida

Side-by-side: Washington vs Florida (Teaching (K-12)), verified 2026-08-07
Washington (current)Florida (destination)
Application fee$93 (93 USD for the Residency Teacher first issue per the OSPI Professional Certification Fee Schedule; that total includes the 51 USD OSPI processing fee plus the PESB certification fee. The Professional Teacher certificate is 81 USD. Fingerprint and background-check costs are paid separately to the vendor.)$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 timeOSPI publishes no fixed week range; it maintains a live Application Processing Status page showing the current pending-application count and the month of applications under review, and districts may submit rush requests through E-Certification.A specific board processing time is not published on the reviewed FLDOE pages
Licensing authorityWashington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) - Certification (standards set by PESB)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 → WashingtonTeaching in WashingtonTeaching in FloridaAll teaching states

Frequently asked questions

Does Florida accept a Washington teaching license?

Yes — Florida recognizes teaching certificates from all states, including Washington. 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington-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]