FTCE/FELE

Florida law requires that teachers demonstrate mastery of basic skills, professional knowledge, and content area of specialization through the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. Testing requirements for teacher candidates seeking certification are described in Section 1012.56, Florida Statutes (FS), and in 6A-4.0021 Florida Administrative Code (FAC). The Bureau of Educator Certification at the Department of Education in Tallahassee determines individualized testing requirements for certification. If you have a certification application on file, the Bureau will inform you of your individual testing requirements. The Bureau advises that teacher candidates should submit an application for certification before applying to take certification examinations. To apply for certification online, visit the Bureau's Web site.

After your application for certification is on file, the Bureau will issue you an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility. This statement will indicate your individualized testing requirements. For any questions regarding your certification application, you may contact the Bureau by phone at (800) 445-6739 or via their website.

Candidates seeking certification in Educational Leadership in the state of Florida are required by Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.00821, FAC, to take the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE). The examination is aligned with the 10 Principal Leadership Standards, divided into three subtests:

• Subtest 1 - Instructional Leadership: Instructional Leadership; Managing the Learning Environment; Learning, Accountability, and Assessment
• Subtest 2 - Operational Leadership: Technology; Human Resource Development; Ethical Leadership; Decision-Making Strategies
• Subtest 3 - School Leadership: Community and Stakeholder Partnerships; Diversity; Vision

Registration and Payment

Registration for either of these examinations must be completed through the FTCE/FELE Program website. It is examinees' responsibility to schedule a date and time on this website to take their exam and to pay any required fees. CAT does not manage scheduling, so any scheduling issues must be directed to FTCE. Additionally, CAT may block the availability of FTCE in advance due to a priority of exams being given at CAT.

Seating for the FTCE is done in accordance with the time scheduled. Examinees who do not arrive within 30 minutes of their assigned check-in time will be marked as "no-show".

Testing Center Guidelines

1. Examinees must present a government-issued photo ID with a signature (e.g.: Driver's License or Passport) at check-in. Examinees should also be prepared to provide a secondary photo ID (e.g.: School ID, Military ID) upon request. Examinees may not test without proper identification.
   
   
2. Examinees taking FTCE will not be permitted to carry their belongings into the testing room (UCC1100). CAT provides FTCE examinees with lockers to store their belongings. If an examinee taking the FTCE is found to have any personal belongings in the testing room, the examinee's test will be terminated and CAT will notify the appropriate parties. Examinees may leave food or beverages on top of their locker so that they can access these items during their break. Examinees will not be permitted to leave the testing site or access their belongings which are stored in a locker until after the exam has been completed.
   
   
3. Examinees may not bring loose papers (study guides, notes, or blank paper) into the testing room. Scratch paper is provided for every exam. Any scratch paper must be turned in before leaving.
   
   
4. Calculators and reference sheets are provided by CAT for exams that specify that they can be used and for those exams ONLY.
   
   
5. Hats, head gear, wraps, etc. may not be worn during exams (except that which is prescribed for religious purposes).
   
   
6. Examinees are expected to exhibit proper decorum when using CAT facilities. Violations of the following rules may result in the student being expelled from CAT.
   
   • There is no talking in the testing room, except to proctors.
   • Leaving the testing room with any test content (questions, directions, etc.) or with any student responses is strictly prohibited.
   • Inappropriate behavior towards CAT staff or other students may result in dismissal from CAT.
   
   
7. Examinees will receive their unofficial scores at the end of the testing session. CAT is not responsible for students' official score reports, as those are sent directly to the examinee from the test company.
   
   
8. Computers in the testing room may not be used for any purpose other than to take exams. Any student caught attempting to use computers for any other purpose will be asked to leave immediately regardless if the exam has started or not.