FTCE

PAPER AND PENCIL BASED TESTING FOR TEACHERS

Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE). The FTCE is a test required by the State of Florida in order to be certified to teach in Florida. It consists of 3 tests: Professional Education; Subject Area Exam; and General Knowledge Test. If you have already taken and passed the CLAST as an undergraduate student in Florida PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2002, then you do not have to take the General Knowledge Test. FTCE registration booklets are available in the FGCU Testing Center. The application can be completed by the applicant and mailed to the National Evaluation Systems in Amherst, MA where it is processed or the applicant can register online at www.fl.nesinc.com. A test center will be assigned to you by National Evaluation Systems based on your request on the registration form.
The General Knowledge Test, Professional Education Test and Subject Area Exam are each $50.00 for the first attempt and $100 for a retake. The FELE (Florida Educational Leadership Exam) is $85.00 for the first attempt and $100 for a retake.
As of September 1, 2009, the fee for the following tests will be:
General Knowledge Test, First Time            $130.00
General Knowledge Test, Retake                $150.00
Professional Education Test, First Time        $150.00
Professional Education Test, Retake            $170.00
Subject Area Exam, First-Time                   $200.00
Subject Area Exam, Retake                       $220.00

The exam is given 6 times a year as follows:

NOTE: The deadline date is NOT a postmark date but rather when the registration must be in  to National Evaluation Systems.

PLEASE NOTE: The above test dates are structured to include a morning test, a lunch break, and an afternoon test. However, some morning tests extend beyond the lunch hour into the afternoon. Hence, you would be unable to schedule an afternoon test if you are taking one of the longer tests that begin in the morning and extend into the afternoon. Tests that bridge the noon hour are: 1) General Knowledge  EXCEPTION: You can take "Essay only" in the morning and that can be followed by the Professional Education exam in the afternoon. 2) Elementary Education K-6 runs from the morning through approximately 3:00 p.m. 3) Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE) can be all day depending on whether you take 1, 2, or 3 sections.

IMPORTANT: When you complete the application, if you are an FGCU undergraduate Education major, you must request that your scores be sent to FGCU by using the Score Report Code: 5001. If you have questions about taking the test, contact the Testing Center. If you have questions regarding teacher certification, please contact the College of Education Office at (239)590-7800.

TEST PREPARATION MATERIALS can be found at http://www.studyguidezone.com.

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING FOR TEACHERS

Florida Gulf Coast University is a computer-based test site for the FTCE. Registration must be accomplished on the internet only: www.fl.nesinc.com.  The registration cannot be done at FGCU or anywhere else other than the websites. You will need to pay the testing fee with a credit card at the time you complete your registration on the website. The following are some helpful hints when registering for the computer-based test:

1. The registration system may not be compatible with (AOL). Use Explorer or another search engine such as Yahoo.

2. Many times firewalls at a place of employment will block your ability to register for the test. If you are unsuccessful when trying to register at your place of employment, try again at home.

4. Make sure after you register that you print and bring your admission ticket to the Testing Center with you. Also, print your fee receipt for your personal records.

5. Bring two (2) ID's to the Testing Center with you. One MUST be photo ID with your signature, i.e. a driver's license. The second ID can be a credit card, student ID, etc. You may not be admitted to the test without 2 ID's.

6. You will be asked to store everything in a locker at the Testing Center. Don't bring too much with you. Children are not permitted at the test site. Wear layered clothing so you can adjust to the temperature of the testing room to suit your personal needs.

7. Cells phones, pagers, etc, must be turned off and stored in a locker.

General Information

TEACHERS:

Teachers and teacher candidates should seek advising for certification from either their local school board office or the FGCU College of Education. The FGCU College of Education's phone number is 239-590-7800.

A teacher-candidate may obtain an FTCE/FELE (Florida Teacher Certification Exam/Florida Educational Leadership Exam) registration booklet from the FGCU Testing Center in McTarnaghan Hall, Room 204. Booklets are also usually available at school board offices and schools.

FELE’s (Florida Educational Leadership Exam) test is for Florida educators who desire to hold higher level administrative positions such as a principal.

The FGCU Testing Center is a delivery site for the paper and pencil
and computer-based FTCE.
 Please refer to the website www.fl.nesinc.com for a listing of computer-based tests.

To obtain information about computer-based testing sites, dates, fees, study guides etc. or to register for the test, please refer to the website www.fl.nesinc.com.

FTCE/FELE Customer Service is (413) 256-2893.