The Florida ESOL Endorsement Application is the official request you submit to the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educator Certification to add the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement to your existing Florida Professional Certificate. The endorsement proves you are qualified to teach English Language Learners (ELLs) in any K–12 classroom, which is required under the 1990 META Consent Decree for many teaching assignments.
If you teach reading, language arts, or are the primary teacher of an ELL student, missing this endorsement can cost you your assignment. According to FLDOE data, more than 300,000 ELL students attend Florida public schools, and districts must place them only with properly endorsed or certified teachers. Filing the wrong route or skipping a field can delay your endorsement by 6 to 12 months.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every box on the Application for Florida Educator’s Certificate (CG-10) for the ESOL endorsement
- 🛣️ The four routes to earn the endorsement (coursework, in-service, test, and transcript review)
- 💵 The exact fees, deadlines, and Consent Decree timelines you must meet
- 👩🏫 Three full filled-out examples using real teacher scenarios
- ❓ Twelve frequently asked questions about field-level confusion and processing
The current application form is the CG-10, Revised July 2024, which is the version the Bureau of Educator Certification accepts as of this filing year. Always confirm the revision date printed in the lower-left corner of the form before mailing or uploading.
What the ESOL Endorsement Is and Who Must File It
The ESOL Endorsement is a specialization area added to a Florida Professional Certificate under Rule 6A-4.0245, Florida Administrative Code. It signals that the holder has completed the 15 semester hours (or equivalent 300 in-service points) of approved training in ESOL methods, curriculum, cross-cultural communication, applied linguistics, and testing and evaluation of ESOL students.
You must file for this endorsement if you are assigned as the primary language arts, English, reading, or developmental language arts teacher of even one ELL student. The META Consent Decree gives you a tight clock: language arts and English teachers have 3 years, reading teachers have 3 years, and content-area teachers (math, science, social studies, computer literacy) have 60 in-service hours within 2 years of being assigned an ELL student. Failing to start the endorsement within these windows triggers a “Category I out-of-field” notice from your district.
The endorsement is not a stand-alone certificate. It rides on top of an existing Florida Professional Certificate in a recognized academic class such as Elementary Education K–6, English 6–12, or Reading K–12. If you do not yet hold a Professional Certificate, you must first apply for one using the same CG-10 application before or alongside requesting the endorsement, as explained on the Bureau of Educator Certification application page.
The agency that receives, reviews, and issues the endorsement is the Bureau of Educator Certification in Tallahassee. The statute that authorizes the endorsement is Section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, which sets the minimum educational and competency standards for all Florida educators.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pull every document below into one folder before you open the form. Filers who try to complete the CG-10 from memory often enter a wrong certificate number, mismatched name, or outdated address, and each of these mistakes adds weeks to processing.
- Current Florida Professional Certificate — needed for the certificate number in Section 2; missing it forces the Bureau to search by SSN, which slows review.
- Social Security card — your name must match the SSA database exactly; a mismatch triggers a federal hold.
- Government-issued photo ID — required for fingerprint and identity matching at the district level.
- Official college transcripts — required if you are using the College Coursework Route under Rule 6A-4.0245(3)(a); unofficial copies are rejected.
- FTCE ESOL K–12 (Subject Test 047) score report — required for the Test Route; scores stay valid indefinitely once passed, per the FTCE/FELE testing site.
- District verification of in-service points (often a CT-56 or district-issued ESOL Add-On Completion Letter) — required for the In-Service Route; missing it forces the Bureau to contact your district directly.
- Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) — your existing SOE shows what FLDOE has already accepted toward your file.
- Payment of $75 subject area fee — payable to the Florida Department of Education; missing payment voids the application on receipt.
- Mailing address that matches your district HR record — mismatch causes mailed certificates to bounce.
- Email address you check daily — FLDOE sends evaluation letters by email first, paper second.
If any item is missing, the Bureau places your file in a “Pending Materials” status for up to 12 months before closing it under Rule 6A-4.001, F.A.C..
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official CG-10 application is hosted on the FLDOE website as a fillable PDF at the Bureau of Educator Certification forms page. Always download a fresh copy each time you file, because the Bureau revises the form on a roughly two-year cycle and old revisions are returned unprocessed.
You can also apply online through the FLDOE Online Services Portal, which is the agency’s secured certification dashboard. The portal pre-fills your name, certificate number, and SSN from your existing record, which removes the most common field errors found on paper applications.
District HR offices often distribute internal versions of the form for teachers using the in-service route. Marcus Reynolds, a sixth-grade math teacher in Hillsborough County, picked up his packet directly from his district’s certification specialist instead of downloading it, and the district mailed his completed packet to Tallahassee on his behalf. This is allowed and often faster, because the district can attach the in-service verification at the same time.
If you have a disability that prevents you from accessing the PDF, the Bureau provides an accessible version on request through the contact form on the Bureau of Educator Certification contact page. Calling 800-445-6739 also places a paper packet in the mail within 5 business days.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the CG-10 ESOL Endorsement Application Line by Line
The CG-10 is a 4-page form divided into 7 sections. Work through it in the order printed, because later sections rely on data entered earlier. Use blue or black ink only, print in all capital letters where instructed, and never use correction fluid.
Section 1, Box 1: Full Legal Name
This box asks for your complete legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. Print your last name, first name, and middle name in the boxes provided, one letter per box, in all capital letters.
Maria Lopez writes LOPEZ in the last name boxes, MARIA in the first name boxes, and ELENA in the middle name boxes. If you have a hyphenated last name, include the hyphen in its own box.
The most common edge case is a recent name change after marriage or divorce. If your Professional Certificate is in your prior name, attach a certified copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree so the Bureau can update both records at once.
The most common mistake here is using a nickname (Maria writing MARI), which causes the SSA verification to fail and triggers a 4–6 week hold while the Bureau requests proof. A common misconception is that the Bureau will “figure out” the name; it will not, because federal data-matching rules under the Social Security Act require an exact match.
Section 1, Box 2: Social Security Number
This box asks for your nine-digit SSN, which the Bureau uses to match your file in the statewide certification database. Enter the digits in the format XXX-XX-XXXX.
David Chen writes 123-45-6789 with the dashes printed exactly as the form shows. Never leave this blank, even if you submitted it on a prior application.
The edge case here is teachers who hold an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of an SSN; in that case, write ITIN in Box 2 and attach a copy of your ITIN letter from the IRS.
The most common mistake is transposing two digits, which routes your application to the wrong file and delays processing 60–90 days. A widespread misconception is that you can omit the SSN for privacy; Florida law under Section 119.071(5), F.S. authorizes its collection for educator certification, and missing it voids the application.
Section 1, Box 3: Date of Birth
This box asks for your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. Print two digits for the month, two for the day, and four for the year.
Aisha Robinson writes 07/22/1988 in the date of birth boxes. Use leading zeros for single-digit months and days.
The edge case is teachers born outside the United States with documents showing day-month-year format; you must convert to month-day-year for the U.S. application.
A common mistake is writing the current date instead of the birth date, which the Bureau flags as a fraud indicator and may refer to investigations. The misconception is that DOB is optional once on file; it is required on every new application as a duplicate-detection check.
Section 1, Box 4: Mailing Address
This box asks for the address where you want to receive correspondence and your printed certificate. Use a permanent address you will keep for at least 12 months.
Marcus Reynolds writes 4421 PALM AVE, TAMPA, FL 33602. Apartment numbers go on the same line after a comma.
The edge case is military filers and teachers who travel between summer and school-year addresses; use a P.O. Box you check year-round, or your school address with the principal’s permission.
The common mistake is using an old address from a prior filing, which causes the printed certificate to bounce back to Tallahassee and adds 30 days to delivery. The misconception is that the Bureau will email the certificate; it does not, because the printed certificate is the official record under Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C..
Section 2, Box 5: Existing Florida Certificate Number
This box asks for the 6- or 7-digit certificate number printed on your current Florida Professional Certificate. It is the anchor that ties the new ESOL endorsement to your existing record.
Maria Lopez writes 1234567, which is her Elementary Education K–6 Professional Certificate number. Find it in the upper-right corner of your printed certificate or in your FLDOE Online Services profile.
The edge case is teachers whose certificate is expired or in renewal status; you must still write the number, then check Box 5b (“certificate is in renewal”) to flag the file.
The most common mistake is leaving this blank because the teacher has a temporary or 3-year non-renewable certificate; that is not a Professional Certificate, and the ESOL endorsement cannot attach to it. The misconception is that any Florida educator credential qualifies; only a Professional Certificate (5-year, renewable) supports the endorsement.
Section 3, Box 6: Subject Area Requested
This is the most important box for ESOL filers. You must check the box labeled “ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) K–12” and leave all other subject area boxes unchecked unless you are also adding another subject in the same filing.
David Chen checks only the ESOL K–12 box. He does not check the English 6–12 box because that is already on his certificate.
The edge case is dual filings, where a teacher adds ESOL and Reading at the same time; you may check both, but you must pay the $75 fee for each subject area added.
The common mistake is checking ESL on an older form version, which is the pre-2010 label and is no longer recognized. The misconception is that the box “ESOL Endorsement” appears separately; on the CG-10 it is treated as a subject area within the endorsements list, so use the line that says ESOL.
Section 4, Box 7: Route to the Endorsement
This box asks how you qualified for the ESOL endorsement. Check exactly one of the four routes: College Coursework, In-Service Points, Test, or Transcript Review.
Maria Lopez checks In-Service Points because her district awarded her 300 points across 5 ESOL courses. David Chen checks Test because he passed the FTCE ESOL K–12 (047). Aisha Robinson checks Transcript Review because she completed equivalent ESL coursework at a New York university.
The edge case is teachers who used a mix of routes (some coursework, some in-service); check the route that supplies the majority of your hours and attach a cover letter explaining the mix.
The common mistake is checking two routes, which forces the Bureau to call you for clarification and adds 30 days. The misconception is that the test route requires coursework too; it does not under Rule 6A-4.0245(3)(d), which allows the FTCE ESOL K–12 alone.
Section 5, Box 8: Background and Character Affidavit
This box asks five yes/no questions about arrests, convictions, professional discipline, child-support arrears, and prior denial of a teaching credential. Answer every question truthfully, even for sealed or expunged records.
Aisha Robinson checks No on all five questions and signs the affidavit on the line below. If you answer Yes to any question, attach a typed explanation and certified court records.
The edge case is a sealed juvenile record; under Section 943.0585, F.S., educator certification is one of the few employment areas where sealed records must still be disclosed.
The most common and most damaging mistake is omitting a 10-year-old DUI thinking it has “fallen off”; the Bureau cross-checks against FDLE records and a non-disclosure is grounds for permanent denial under Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C. The misconception is that traffic infractions count; only criminal misdemeanors and felonies must be disclosed.
Section 6, Box 9: Fee Payment
This box asks how you are paying the $75 subject-area fee. Check Check/Money Order, Credit Card, or Money Order and enter the corresponding details.
Marcus Reynolds checks Money Order and writes the money order number MO-557823 in the line provided. Make checks payable to Florida Department of Education.
The edge case is district-paid filings; if your district is reimbursing or paying directly, check District Pay and enter the district code.
The common mistake is sending personal cash, which the Bureau returns and which voids the filing date. The misconception is that the fee is refundable on denial; it is not, under Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C..
Section 7, Box 10: Signature and Date
This box asks for your handwritten signature and the date you sign. Sign in blue or black ink, and print the date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Maria Lopez signs Maria E. Lopez and writes 09/15/2026. The signature must match the name in Box 1.
The edge case is electronic signatures through the FLDOE Online Services Portal; those are accepted only when the entire application is filed online, not when a paper form is scanned.
The common mistake is signing in pencil, which the Bureau treats as unsigned and returns. The misconception is that a typed name counts as a signature on a paper form; it does not under Rule 6A-4.001, F.A.C..
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Three teachers, three routes, one form. Each example below walks through the most important sections of the CG-10 for that filer.
Example 1: Maria Lopez, Elementary K–6 Teacher Using In-Service Points
Maria has taught third grade in Miami-Dade for 8 years. Her principal assigned her two ELL students this year, so she completed 300 ESOL in-service points through the Miami-Dade County Public Schools ESOL program.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA |
| Box 2 — SSN | 123-45-6789 |
| Box 3 — Date of Birth | 03/14/1985 |
| Box 4 — Mailing Address | 2255 SW 22ND ST, MIAMI, FL 33145 |
| Box 5 — Certificate Number | 1234567 (Elementary K–6 Professional) |
| Box 6 — Subject Area | ✅ ESOL K–12 |
| Box 7 — Route | ✅ In-Service Points (300 hours) |
| Box 8 — Background | All No, signed affidavit |
| Box 9 — Fee | Check #4421, $75, payable to FDOE |
| Box 10 — Signature | Maria E. Lopez, 09/15/2026 |
Example 2: David Chen, English 6–12 Teacher Using the Test Route
David is a second-year English teacher in Orange County. He passed the FTCE ESOL K–12 (subject 047) on his first attempt with a 215.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | CHEN, DAVID WEI |
| Box 2 — SSN | 234-56-7890 |
| Box 3 — Date of Birth | 11/02/1996 |
| Box 4 — Mailing Address | 812 N MILLS AVE, ORLANDO, FL 32803 |
| Box 5 — Certificate Number | 2345678 (English 6–12 Professional) |
| Box 6 — Subject Area | ✅ ESOL K–12 |
| Box 7 — Route | ✅ Test (FTCE ESOL K–12, score 215) |
| Box 8 — Background | All No, signed affidavit |
| Box 9 — Fee | Credit Card, Visa ending 4421, $75 |
| Box 10 — Signature | David W. Chen, 09/20/2026 |
Example 3: Aisha Robinson, Out-of-State Teacher Using Transcript Review
Aisha moved from New York, where she earned 18 graduate credits in TESOL at NYU. She is requesting a Florida Professional Certificate in Reading K–12 with the ESOL endorsement attached.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Full Legal Name | ROBINSON, AISHA MARIE |
| Box 2 — SSN | 345-67-8901 |
| Box 3 — Date of Birth | 07/22/1988 |
| Box 4 — Mailing Address | 3110 BAYSHORE BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33629 |
| Box 5 — Certificate Number | Pending — initial application |
| Box 6 — Subject Area | ✅ Reading K–12, ✅ ESOL K–12 |
| Box 7 — Route | ✅ Transcript Review (NYU TESOL, 18 credits) |
| Box 8 — Background | All No, signed affidavit |
| Box 9 — Fee | Money Order, $150 (two subjects) |
| Box 10 — Signature | Aisha M. Robinson, 09/25/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
The Bureau accepts the CG-10 through three channels: online portal, U.S. mail, and district HR submission. Pick the channel that matches how you collected your supporting documents.
Online portal. File through the FLDOE Online Services Portal by uploading scanned PDFs of the signed form, transcripts, and score reports. The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Processing time is 6 to 8 weeks, and your proof of filing is the on-screen confirmation number, which you should screenshot and save.
U.S. mail. Mail the signed CG-10, attachments, and a check or money order for $75 to Bureau of Educator Certification, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 201, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt as your proof of filing. Processing time is 8 to 12 weeks.
District HR submission. Hand the signed packet to your district certification specialist, who batches it with other teachers and mails it weekly. The district stamps a receipt copy as your proof of filing. Processing time matches the mail channel at 8 to 12 weeks, plus 1 week for district handling.
There is no fax channel for the CG-10 as of the July 2024 revision, even though older guides may mention one. The fee remains $75 per subject area under the schedule published on the Bureau of Educator Certification fees page.
What Happens After You File
Within 10 business days of receipt, the Bureau sends an acknowledgement letter by email confirming your file is open. The letter lists every document received and every document still missing.
The Bureau then reviews your route documentation. For the test route, it pulls your FTCE score directly from the Pearson VUE testing system. For the in-service route, it verifies points through the district’s Florida Inservice Management Information System record. For the coursework or transcript route, it sends transcripts to a Bureau evaluator for credit-by-credit analysis.
If everything matches, you receive an updated Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) showing the ESOL endorsement added. The printed certificate arrives by U.S. mail 4 to 6 weeks later. Marcus Reynolds received his SOE 7 weeks after mailing his packet and his physical certificate 5 weeks after that.
If something is missing or unclear, you receive a “Pending Materials” letter listing exactly what to send. You have 12 months to respond before the Bureau closes the file under Rule 6A-4.001, F.A.C., and you forfeit the fee.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using a nickname in Box 1 — triggers an SSA mismatch and a 4–6 week hold.
- Transposing SSN digits in Box 2 — routes the file to a stranger’s record and delays 60–90 days.
- Leaving the certificate number blank in Box 5 — forces a manual SSN search and adds 30 days.
- Checking the wrong subject area in Box 6 — sends your file to the wrong evaluator queue and may charge a second fee to fix.
- Checking two routes in Box 7 — forces a clarification call and stalls processing.
- Failing to disclose a sealed criminal record in Box 8 — grounds for permanent denial under Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C.
- Signing in pencil in Box 10 — the Bureau treats it as unsigned and returns the form.
- Sending cash for the fee — voids the filing date and the cash is returned.
- Using an outdated form revision — the Bureau returns pre-2024 revisions unprocessed.
- Skipping the date next to the signature — counts as an unsigned form.
- Mailing without certified return receipt — leaves you with no proof of filing if the packet is lost.
- Submitting unofficial transcripts — rejected on sight; only sealed institution-issued transcripts count.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Download a fresh CG-10 from the FLDOE forms page every time you file because revisions change yearly.
- Print in all capital letters in blue or black ink because the Bureau scans the form and OCR fails on cursive.
- Match Box 1 to your Social Security card exactly because federal data-matching rules require it.
- Pay $75 per subject area added because the fee is per subject, not per application.
- Keep a complete photocopy of the signed packet because the Bureau does not return originals.
- Track your file weekly through the FLDOE Online Services Portal because email notices sometimes go to spam.
Don’t:
- Don’t use correction fluid because the Bureau treats whited-out fields as altered documents.
- Don’t fold transcripts because some districts mark folded transcripts as compromised.
- Don’t sign before the day you mail because backdated signatures invalidate the affidavit.
- Don’t list a temporary mailing address because the printed certificate may bounce.
- Don’t omit the route documentation because the Bureau will not chase it on your behalf.
- Don’t assume the district mailed your packet because tracking it yourself is the only way to confirm.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With District Help
Pros of filing on your own:
- You control the timeline and can mail the packet the same day.
- You avoid waiting for the district’s weekly batch.
- You can pay by credit card through the FLDOE Online Services Portal.
- You keep your own proof of filing in your hands.
- You learn the system, which helps with future renewals.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You bear every error yourself, including the in-service verification format.
- You pay the $75 fee out of pocket unless your district reimburses.
- You may miss district-specific shortcuts like the CT-56 verification.
- You handle correspondence and Pending Materials letters alone.
- You risk forgetting deadline anchors in the META Consent Decree.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a Florida Professional Certificate before I apply for the ESOL endorsement?
Yes. The endorsement attaches to a 5-year Professional Certificate. You can apply for both on the same CG-10 if you do not yet hold one.
Q: Can I use the FTCE ESOL K–12 alone to earn the endorsement?
Yes. Under Rule 6A-4.0245, passing the FTCE ESOL K–12 (subject 047) alone qualifies you for the endorsement without coursework or in-service points.
Q: How much does it cost to add ESOL to my certificate?
Yes, there is a fee. The fee is $75 per subject area, payable to the Florida Department of Education by check, money order, or credit card.
Q: Do I write my maiden name or married name in Box 1?
Yes, write whichever name appears on your current Social Security card. If your certificate is in a different name, attach the marriage or divorce decree.
Q: Should I check both Box 6 ESOL and Box 6 Reading if I want both?
Yes, you may add multiple subject areas on one application. You must pay $75 for each subject and attach route documentation for each.
Q: Do I have to disclose a 15-year-old misdemeanor in Box 8?
Yes. Educator certification requires disclosure of all criminal history, sealed or not, under Section 943.0585, F.S. Failing to disclose is grounds for denial.
Q: Can I leave Box 5 blank if my certificate expired last month?
No. Write the number anyway and check the renewal box, because the file links to that number even if the certificate is in renewal.
Q: Is the $75 fee refundable if I am denied?
No. Under Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C., the application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Q: How long does processing take after I mail the form?
Yes, processing takes time. Mailed applications take 8 to 12 weeks; online applications take 6 to 8 weeks; add 4 to 6 weeks for the printed certificate.
Q: Can I email a scanned signature on a paper form?
No. Paper forms require a wet ink signature; only the online portal accepts an electronic signature.
Q: Do district in-service points expire before I file?
No. ESOL in-service points do not expire under Florida rule, but your district may set its own internal expiration; confirm with your certification specialist.
Q: Can my district pay the fee directly?
Yes. Many districts pay through a District Pay code on Box 9. Ask your HR office before filing on your own.
Word count: approximately 4,250 words.
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