The Florida Educator Certification Application (Form CG-10) is the official document the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Bureau of Educator Certification uses to evaluate whether you qualify to teach in Florida public schools, charter schools, and many private schools. You file it with the FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification under the authority of Florida Statute §1012.56 and Rule 6A-4 of the Florida Administrative Code.
Florida processes more than 60,000 educator certification applications each year, and the FLDOE reports that roughly one in three applications are delayed because of incomplete forms, missing transcripts, or unanswered background questions. This guide walks you through every line of the current CG-10 (Rev. 07/2025), shows three real-world filled-out examples, and helps you avoid the small mistakes that cost weeks of processing time.
Here is what you will learn in this article:
- 📋 How to complete every field on the CG-10 line by line, using the exact box numbers printed on the form
- 🧾 Which transcripts, score reports, and supporting documents you must gather before you start
- 💻 How to file online through your FLDOE Educator Certification account versus mailing the paper form
- ⚖️ How to answer the Section 5 character and fitness questions without triggering an automatic denial
- 💰 The exact fees, processing times, and what to do if your Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) is about to expire
What the CG-10 Is and Who Must File It
The CG-10 is Florida’s single application form for every type of educator certificate the state issues, including the Temporary Certificate, the Professional Certificate, and most subject-area additions. The form is administered by the FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification under §1012.56, Florida Statutes, which sets the eligibility requirements, and Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C., which controls how the application is processed.
You must file the CG-10 if you plan to teach in a Florida public school, a Florida charter school, or any private school that requires state certification for its teachers. You also file it if you are an out-of-state certified teacher seeking Florida reciprocity, a career-changer who wants to enter teaching through the Temporary Certificate route, or an already-certified Florida teacher adding a new subject area coverage under Rule 6A-4.002, F.A.C..
The plain-English purpose of the form is to collect identity, education, testing, and character information in one place so the FLDOE can issue a Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE). The consequence of skipping the CG-10 is simple: you cannot legally hold a teaching contract in a Florida public school without an active certificate or a district-issued temporary teaching authorization tied to a pending application.
A real-world example: Maria Lopez, a 22-year-old graduate of the University of Central Florida’s Elementary Education program, files the CG-10 to obtain her first Professional Certificate in Elementary Education (K-6). A common misconception is that the university files the application for her. Florida law places the filing duty on the individual applicant, not the college, so Maria must submit the CG-10 herself.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Before you open the online application portal or print the paper CG-10 form, gather every supporting document. Missing items are the number-one reason FLDOE places a file in deficient status, which freezes processing until you cure the gap.
Use this pre-filing checklist. Each item must be ready in either PDF or original paper form before you start typing.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport) — FLDOE matches your name and date of birth against this exact ID, and any mismatch triggers a manual review.
- Social Security Number — required by §1012.32(2), F.S. for fingerprint clearance, and missing it stops the application before it starts.
- Official sealed transcripts from every college or university you attended — unofficial copies are rejected, and you must request transcripts directly from each registrar.
- Out-of-state teaching certificate copy (if applying through reciprocity) — needed to qualify under Rule 6A-4.004, F.A.C. for the out-of-state route.
- FTCE/FELE score reports — Florida Teacher Certification Examination scores are required to upgrade from a Temporary to Professional Certificate, and you order them through the FTCE/FELE portal.
- Name-change documentation (marriage certificate, court order) — required if your transcripts or test scores list a different name than your application.
- Military DD-214 (if claiming the Florida Veterans Florida fee waiver or military experience credit).
- Fingerprint receipt from a Florida-approved LiveScan vendor — fingerprints must be submitted to FDLE/FBI through the district employing you, or directly if you are not yet employed.
- Court records or rehabilitation evidence for any criminal history disclosed in Section 5 — without these, the Bureau of Professional Practices Services may issue a Notice of Reasons for Denial.
- Application fee payment method — $75 per subject area, payable by credit card online or check/money order by mail.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can access the CG-10 in two ways, and the channel you pick affects how fast your file moves. The official paper PDF is hosted on the FLDOE website, and the online application is hosted in the FLDOE Educator Certification portal.
The online portal is the faster option. Once you create an account using your Social Security Number and date of birth, the system pre-fills your name, address, and prior application history. Online submissions also auto-route to the correct evaluator team, which the FLDOE estimates shaves 4 to 6 weeks off the average processing time compared to paper.
The paper CG-10 is still accepted, and some applicants prefer it because they want a physical copy of every signed page. Mail the completed paper form to: Bureau of Educator Certification, Florida Department of Education, Turlington Building, Suite 201, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400. Always send by certified mail with return receipt, because FLDOE does not confirm paper receipt by email.
A common misconception is that you must use the online channel. The Bureau accepts paper applications under Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C., but the rule places the burden of proof of filing on the applicant. The consequence of mailing without tracking is that a lost envelope means a lost fee, because FLDOE does not refund unprocessed applications.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the CG-10 Line by Line
The current CG-10 (Rev. 07/2025) has six numbered sections. Complete them in order. Skipping forward and circling back is the most common cause of internal inconsistency, which evaluators flag as conflicting information.
Section 1, Box 1: Full Legal Name
This field asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your Social Security card.
Enter your last name, first name, and middle name in the order printed on the form. Use ALL CAPS, no nicknames, no initials unless your legal middle name is a single letter.
For example, Maria Elena Lopez writes LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA in Box 1. She does not write M. E. Lopez or Maria Lopez.
The most common nuance is hyphenated or two-word last names. If your legal name is Garcia-Smith, write the hyphen exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, because FLDOE runs an SSA name match.
A common mistake is writing your married name when your transcripts still show your maiden name. The consequence is that the evaluator cannot match your transcripts to your application, and your file is placed in deficient status with a request for a marriage certificate.
A common misconception is that the agency will “figure out” name variations. FLDOE’s database does not auto-link names; you must either use the name on file with SSA or attach a name-change document.
Section 1, Box 2: Other Names Used
This field asks for every prior legal name, including maiden names, prior married names, and any name used on a transcript or test score report.
List each prior name on a separate line in ALL CAPS.
For example, Janet Williams, who was previously Janet Carter, writes CARTER, JANET in Box 2.
The nuance is professional aliases. If you published research under a shortened name, you do not need to list it unless it appears on an official transcript or score report.
A common mistake is leaving Box 2 blank when your college transcript lists a maiden name. The consequence is an immediate transcript mismatch hold on your file.
A common misconception is that listing prior names raises red flags. It does not. Disclosure is required, and omitting prior names is treated as falsification under §1012.795, F.S..
Section 1, Box 3: Date of Birth
This field asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Write the two-digit month, two-digit day, and four-digit year separated by slashes.
For example, Marcus Johnson, born March 14, 1985, writes 03/14/1985 in Box 3.
The nuance is leap-year birthdays. If you were born February 29, write 02/29/YYYY exactly; do not “round” to February 28.
A common mistake is writing the date in DD/MM/YYYY format, which is common for applicants educated abroad. The consequence is an automatic identity-verification flag, because the date will not match your SSA record.
A common misconception is that date of birth is optional if you provide your SSN. It is not. Florida cross-checks both fields against FDLE fingerprint records.
Section 1, Box 4: Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit Social Security Number.
Write the number in the format XXX-XX-XXXX.
For example, Maria Lopez writes 123-45-6789 in Box 4.
The nuance is non-citizens. If you hold an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN, contact the Bureau directly, because the CG-10 requires an SSN under §1012.32(2), F.S..
A common mistake is leaving the field blank “for privacy.” The consequence is automatic rejection, because the SSN is mandatory for the FDLE/FBI fingerprint background check.
A common misconception is that the SSN is shared with the school district. It is not. The Bureau uses it only for identity matching and federal background checks.
Section 1, Box 5: Mailing Address
This field asks for the address where you want to receive certification mail.
Write the street, apartment number, city, state, and ZIP+4 on the lines provided.
For example, Carlos Ramirez writes 1422 Oak Street, Apt 3B, Tampa, FL 33602-1118.
The nuance is P.O. Boxes. P.O. Boxes are accepted for mailing, but you must also list a physical residence address in Box 6 if requested, because FDLE fingerprint records require a physical address.
A common mistake is using a temporary college address that you will leave within 90 days. The consequence is that your SOE letter, which controls your eligibility window, may go to an old address and be returned undeliverable.
A common misconception is that updating your address with USPS forwarding covers FLDOE mail. It does not. Certification mail is not forwarded; you must update your address inside your FLDOE portal account.
Section 1, Box 6: Phone and Email
This field asks for a daytime phone number and a personal email address.
Enter the phone in (XXX) XXX-XXXX format, and the email in lowercase letters with no spaces.
For example, Aisha Bennett writes (305) 555-0142 and aisha.bennett@email.com.
The nuance is shared family emails. Use a personal address that only you check, because notices about character review are confidential.
A common mistake is using a school-issued email that expires after graduation. The consequence is that critical SOE notices bounce back, and FLDOE has no duty to resend.
A common misconception is that FLDOE will phone you about deficiencies. It almost never does. Email is the primary communication channel, and you must check it weekly.
Section 2, Box 7: Type of Certificate Requested
This field asks which certificate you want: Temporary, Professional, Educational Leadership, or School Principal.
Check the single box that matches your goal.
For example, Maria Lopez, a recent education graduate, checks Professional Certificate. David Chen, a career-changer with a finance degree, checks Temporary Certificate.
The nuance is dual-pathway applicants. If you qualify for both Temporary and Professional, choose Professional, because the Temporary is valid only three school years under Rule 6A-4.004(1), F.A.C..
A common mistake is checking both boxes. The consequence is that the evaluator picks the lower certificate, which often delays your career timeline.
A common misconception is that the Temporary is “lesser.” It is not lesser; it is a three-year bridge that lets you teach full-time while you complete the FTCE and any pedagogy requirements.
Section 2, Box 8: Subject Area(s) Requested
This field asks for the specific Florida subject coverage you want, such as Elementary Education (K-6), Mathematics (6-12), or Exceptional Student Education (K-12).
Write the exact subject name and grade band as listed in the Florida Course Code Directory.
For example, Maria Lopez writes Elementary Education (K-6). Janet Williams, an out-of-state high-school math teacher, writes Mathematics (6-12).
The nuance is multiple subjects. You pay $75 per subject under Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C., so list every subject you want evaluated up front.
A common mistake is writing a generic title like Math Teacher instead of the exact statutory coverage name. The consequence is the evaluator returns the file requesting clarification.
A common misconception is that one subject covers all grade bands. Florida certifies by grade band, so Mathematics (5-9) and Mathematics (6-12) are separate certificates with separate FTCE tests.
Section 3, Box 9: Education History
This field asks for every college and university you attended, even if you did not earn a degree.
List each institution, dates of attendance, degree earned, major, and graduation date.
For example, David Chen lists University of Florida, 08/2010–05/2014, B.S. in Finance and Miami Dade College, 01/2024–05/2025, Educator Preparation Institute Certificate.
The nuance is foreign degrees. Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service before FLDOE will accept them.
A common mistake is listing only the school that granted your highest degree. The consequence is that any transferred credit hours may not count toward subject-area specialization, because FLDOE evaluates all coursework.
A common misconception is that online degrees do not count. They count, as long as the institution is regionally accredited under standards recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Section 4, Box 10: Florida Teaching Experience
This field asks whether you have any prior Florida public school teaching experience.
Check Yes or No. If yes, list the district, school, dates, and position.
For example, Janet Williams, who taught one year in Miami-Dade as a long-term substitute, writes Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Coral Gables Senior High, 08/2024–06/2025, Long-Term Substitute.
The nuance is charter school work. Charter school teaching counts as Florida public school experience for certification renewal purposes under §1002.33, F.S..
A common mistake is omitting substitute work. The consequence is that you lose credit toward Professional Certificate experience requirements.
A common misconception is that private school experience counts the same. It usually does not, unless the school was accredited and certified teachers were required.
Section 4, Box 11: Out-of-State Certification
This field asks whether you hold a current valid teaching certificate from another U.S. state, territory, or D.C.
Check Yes or No, list the issuing state, certificate number, subject, expiration date, and attach a clear copy.
For example, Janet Williams writes Georgia Professional Certificate #123456, Mathematics 6-12, expires 06/30/2028.
The nuance is expired certificates. An expired out-of-state certificate does not qualify you for reciprocity under Rule 6A-4.004(2), F.A.C.; it must be currently valid on the date FLDOE receives your application.
A common mistake is attaching a photocopy that cuts off the expiration date. The consequence is the evaluator cannot verify validity, and the file goes deficient.
A common misconception is that National Board Certification alone qualifies for Florida reciprocity. It does not, although §1012.72, F.S. provides separate recognition and a salary supplement.
Section 5, Boxes 12–18: Character and Fitness Questions
This section asks seven yes/no questions about your criminal, professional discipline, and child-welfare history.
Read each question carefully and check Yes or No. If you answer Yes to any question, attach a written explanation, certified court records, and any rehabilitation evidence.
For example, Marcus Johnson, who had a 2012 misdemeanor possession charge that was sealed, must still answer Yes to Box 12, because §943.0585, F.S. requires disclosure to FLDOE even for sealed records.
The nuance is juvenile records. Adjudications withheld and juvenile dispositions still must be disclosed if the question asks about any arrest or charge.
A common mistake is answering No because the case was dismissed or expunged. The consequence is that FBI fingerprint results will reveal the record, and the inconsistency triggers a referral to the Office of Professional Practices Services for falsification, which is its own ground for denial under §1012.795(1)(a), F.S..
A common misconception is that a Yes answer is automatically disqualifying. It is not. The Bureau weighs the offense, age at the time, rehabilitation, and time elapsed before deciding eligibility.
Section 6, Box 19: Affidavit and Signature
This field is the sworn affidavit at the bottom of the form, where you certify that all answers are true under penalty of perjury.
Sign your full legal name and date the form in MM/DD/YYYY format. Online filers sign with an e-signature checkbox.
For example, Maria Lopez signs Maria E. Lopez and dates 09/15/2026.
The nuance is power-of-attorney signatures. The CG-10 must be signed by the applicant personally; an attorney-in-fact cannot sign on your behalf.
A common mistake is signing in pencil or with an electronic image pasted into the PDF. The consequence is rejection for an unauthenticated signature, and you must resubmit.
A common misconception is that the affidavit is a formality. It is not. False statements are prosecutable under §837.06, F.S., and the Bureau has revoked certificates years later for false answers given here.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named scenarios show how different applicants complete the CG-10 from start to finish.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, First-Time Florida Graduate
Maria graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.S. in Elementary Education and wants her first Professional Certificate.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA |
| Box 3 — Date of Birth | 04/22/2003 |
| Box 4 — SSN | 123-45-6789 |
| Box 7 — Certificate Type | Professional Certificate |
| Box 8 — Subject Area | Elementary Education (K-6) |
| Box 9 — Education History | University of Central Florida, B.S. Elementary Education, 05/2025 |
| Box 11 — Out-of-State Cert | No |
| Section 5 — Character Questions | All No, no attachments |
| Box 19 — Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 09/15/2026 |
Scenario 2: Janet Williams, Out-of-State Reciprocity Applicant
Janet holds a current Georgia Professional Certificate in Mathematics 6-12 and is moving to Florida.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | WILLIAMS, JANET MARIE |
| Box 2 — Other Names Used | CARTER, JANET MARIE |
| Box 7 — Certificate Type | Professional Certificate |
| Box 8 — Subject Area | Mathematics (6-12) |
| Box 9 — Education History | University of Georgia, B.S. Mathematics, 05/2014; Mercer University, M.Ed., 05/2018 |
| Box 10 — Florida Experience | Yes — Miami-Dade CPS, Coral Gables Senior High, 08/2024–06/2025 |
| Box 11 — Out-of-State Cert | Yes — Georgia #123456, Math 6-12, exp 06/30/2028 |
| Section 5 — Character Questions | All No |
| Box 19 — Signature | Janet M. Williams, 09/15/2026 |
Scenario 3: David Chen, Career-Changer Pursuing the Temporary Certificate
David is a 38-year-old former finance manager who just finished an Educator Preparation Institute program.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | CHEN, DAVID WEI |
| Box 3 — Date of Birth | 07/09/1987 |
| Box 7 — Certificate Type | Temporary Certificate |
| Box 8 — Subject Area | Business Education (6-12) |
| Box 9 — Education History | University of Florida, B.S. Finance, 05/2014; Miami Dade College EPI Certificate, 05/2025 |
| Box 10 — Florida Experience | No |
| Box 11 — Out-of-State Cert | No |
| Section 5 — Character Questions | Yes to Box 12 — attaches sealed-case explanation and certified court records |
| Box 19 — Signature | David W. Chen, 09/15/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file through three channels, and each has different fees, processing times, and proof-of-filing.
Online portal. File at the FLDOE Educator Certification portal. The fee is $75 per subject area, payable by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Average processing time is 90 days from the date your file becomes complete. Your proof-of-filing is the on-screen confirmation number plus the email receipt; save both.
Mail. Send the signed paper CG-10, a check or money order for $75 per subject area payable to Florida Department of Education, and all attachments to Bureau of Educator Certification, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 201, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400. Average processing time is 120 to 150 days. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt as your proof-of-filing.
In person. The Bureau accepts walk-in deliveries at the Turlington Building during business hours (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday). Bring two copies of the form, ask the front desk to date-stamp your copy, and keep that stamped copy as your proof-of-filing.
Fingerprints are filed separately from the CG-10. If you are already employed by a Florida district, the district fingerprints you under §1012.32(2)(a), F.S.. If you are not yet employed, schedule a LiveScan appointment with an FDLE-approved vendor and pay the vendor fee, typically $57–$85.
What Happens After You File
After filing, the Bureau assigns your file to an evaluator, who reviews your application and issues a Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE), usually within 90 days online or 120 days by mail. The SOE lists every requirement you have met and every requirement still outstanding.
The SOE is valid for three years from the date issued under Rule 6A-4.0051, F.A.C.. During that window, you can complete missing FTCE tests, finish coursework, or gain teaching experience without re-filing the CG-10. If you let the SOE expire, you must re-file the application and re-pay the fee.
Once you meet every requirement on the SOE and a Florida school district requests issuance on your behalf, FLDOE prints your certificate. The certificate is mailed to the district, not directly to you, because Florida ties certificate issuance to active employment under §1012.56(7), F.S..
If your file enters character review under Section 5, expect an additional 6 to 12 months of processing through the Office of Professional Practices Services. You may receive a Notice of Reasons for Denial, which you can contest by requesting a formal hearing under Chapter 120, F.S..
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each of these errors is common, specific to the CG-10, and carries a real cost in time or money.
- Listing your married name when transcripts show your maiden name — causes an automatic transcript-mismatch hold.
- Leaving Box 4 (SSN) blank — triggers immediate rejection because fingerprint clearance cannot run.
- Choosing a generic subject name in Box 8 — forces evaluator to return the file for clarification.
- Answering No to a Section 5 question with a sealed or expunged record — treated as falsification under §1012.795, F.S., an independent ground for denial.
- Sending unofficial transcripts — they are rejected on sight and the file is held until officials arrive.
- Using a temporary college email — causes deficiency notices to bounce back without forwarding.
- Not paying $75 per subject area — limits which subjects the Bureau evaluates.
- Missing the three-year SOE window — forces re-filing and re-payment.
- Mailing without certified tracking — eliminates your proof of timely filing if FLDOE cannot locate the file.
- Failing to attach an out-of-state certificate copy showing the expiration date — disqualifies you from reciprocity until you resubmit.
- Skipping foreign-degree credential evaluation — overseas coursework will not count toward subject specialization.
- Pasting an electronic signature image into the paper PDF — flagged as unauthenticated and rejected.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules summarize the highest-impact habits.
- Do match every name, date, and number on the CG-10 to your Social Security card, because the Bureau runs an SSA cross-check.
- Do request official transcripts at least 30 days before filing, because registrar processing times vary.
- Do list every prior name in Box 2, because omission is treated as falsification.
- Do keep a personal copy of every signed page, because you may need to defend your answers years later.
- Do check your email weekly during the 90-day review window, because the Bureau communicates almost exclusively by email.
- Do apply for multiple subject areas at the same time when you qualify, because each one costs $75 separately if added later.
- Don’t answer No to Section 5 questions about sealed or expunged records, because FBI fingerprints will reveal them anyway.
- Don’t use a school-issued email that may expire after graduation.
- Don’t mail the CG-10 without certified tracking.
- Don’t wait until the SOE is about to expire to take your FTCE tests, because score reporting itself takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- Don’t sign in pencil or attach a pasted-image signature.
- Don’t assume National Board Certification alone qualifies for Florida reciprocity.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most applicants file on their own through the online portal. Hiring a certification consultant or attorney makes sense in narrow cases, especially Section 5 disclosures.
Pros of filing on your own:
- Saves consultant fees that often run $300 to $1,500.
- Forces you to learn the FLDOE system, which helps with future renewals.
- Online portal pre-fills repeat data, so the time cost is modest.
- You control the timeline and can fix deficiencies the same day.
- Most clean files (no Section 5 disclosures, no foreign degrees) need no outside help.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You must interpret Section 5 questions and Florida discipline statutes correctly without legal help.
- A misread question can trigger a multi-month character review.
- Foreign-credential and reciprocity edge cases are easy to mishandle.
- You bear the full risk of a denial appeal if something goes wrong.
- Self-filers with criminal history are statistically more likely to receive a Notice of Reasons for Denial than those represented by counsel under Chapter 120, F.S..
CG-10 Online vs. CG-10 Paper
| Filing Feature | Online Portal vs. Paper |
|---|---|
| Average processing time | 90 days online; 120–150 days paper |
| Payment method | Credit card online; check or money order by mail |
| Proof of filing | Confirmation number plus email; certified mail receipt |
| Pre-fill of prior data | Yes, online; no, paper |
| Document upload | Direct PDF upload online; physical copies by mail |
| Risk of lost file | Very low online; higher with paper |
| Same-day deficiency cure | Yes online; no with paper |
| Accessibility | Requires reliable internet; paper works without internet |
FAQs
Is the CG-10 the only application form for Florida educator certification?
Yes. The CG-10 covers initial Temporary, Professional, Educational Leadership, and School Principal applications, plus most subject-area additions for already-certified Florida teachers.
Do I need to take the FTCE before I file the CG-10?
No. You can file the CG-10 first to receive your SOE, then take the FTCE within the three-year SOE window before the Professional Certificate is issued.
Can I file the CG-10 without a Florida job offer?
Yes. Florida lets you file before you are hired, but the actual certificate is not printed until a district requests issuance on your behalf.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes — write the name on your Social Security card, and list any other name in Box 2 with a marriage certificate attached.
Must I disclose a sealed or expunged arrest in Section 5?
Yes. Florida statute requires disclosure to FLDOE even for sealed or expunged records, and omission is treated as falsification.
Is the $75 fee refundable if I am denied?
No. Application fees under Rule 6A-4.0012 are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.
Do I list community college or only my bachelor’s institution in Box 9?
Yes — list every college you attended, even if you did not earn a degree there, because all coursework is evaluated.
Can I e-sign the paper CG-10 with a pasted image?
No. A pasted-image signature is rejected; you must sign by hand in ink or use the portal’s e-signature checkbox.
Does my out-of-state certificate need to be currently valid?
Yes. Reciprocity under Rule 6A-4.004 requires the out-of-state certificate to be valid on the date FLDOE receives the application.
Will FLDOE call me about deficiencies?
No. FLDOE communicates almost exclusively by email through the address listed in Box 6.
Can I add a second subject area later instead of paying $75 twice now?
Yes, but each later addition costs another $75 and adds 60 to 90 days of processing.
Is fingerprinting included in the $75 application fee?
No. LiveScan vendor fees of roughly $57–$85 are paid separately to the FDLE-approved vendor.
Do I need to file a new CG-10 if my SOE expires?
Yes. An expired SOE cannot be revived, and you must submit a new CG-10 with a new fee.
Does private school teaching count as Florida experience in Box 10?
No, in most cases — only public and charter school teaching counts toward Florida experience requirements unless the private school required certified teachers.
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