Part of the expanding PassProfessor catalog: PassProfessor is building an FTCE practice program covering the full Florida suite — the General Knowledge Test, the Professional Education Test, and the Subject Area Examinations. Join the notify list and we will email you when enrollment opens.
This program is part of the expanding PassProfessor catalog — join the notify list and we’ll email you when enrollment opens.
The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are the exams Florida uses to certify its teachers, developed for the Florida Department of Education and delivered as computer-based tests by appointment, year-round. Most candidates face three pieces: the General Knowledge Test — four subtests (Essay, English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics) that must each be passed — the Professional Education Test (approximately 80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes), and a Subject Area Examination matched to the subject they will teach, chosen from 39 different SAEs. Multiple-choice tests and subtests pass at a scaled score of at least 200. PassProfessor’s FTCE program, now in development, will let you practice each piece on its own terms — subtest by subtest for the GK, and exam by exam for the SAEs — so your preparation matches the test Florida actually requires. Our full breakdown of the real exams is in the FTCE exam guide.
What the program will cover
The General Knowledge Test, subtest by subtest. The GK is not one pass/fail result — it is four independent results, and you must pass all four. The Essay is a single timed essay, scored by human raters; English Language Skills and Reading are short multiple-choice subtests; Mathematics is the longest subtest and the one with the most questions. The program is being built so each subtest can be drilled separately, because a candidate who has cleared three subtests needs focused work on the fourth, not another lap through all of them.
The Professional Education Test as its own discipline. The PEd tests pedagogy and professional practice — how teaching works, not what subject you teach. It is approximately 80 multiple-choice questions in a single 2-hour-and-30-minute sitting. The program will treat it as a distinct body of material with its own practice, separate from both basic skills and subject content.
Subject Area Examinations, exam by exam. There are 39 different SAEs, and they are not interchangeable: Elementary Education K–6 is itself a four-subtest examination, English 6–12 adds a written performance section to its multiple-choice section, and most other SAEs — Mathematics 6–12, for example — are a single multiple-choice test of approximately 50 questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes. The program is being mapped to the individual examination you will actually sit, not to a generic “subject area” pool.
Practice at the real pacing. FTCE timing is uneven by design: 40 minutes for English Language Skills, 55 minutes for Reading, 1 hour and 40 minutes for GK Mathematics, 2 hours and 30 minutes for the PEd and for a typical SAE. Timed practice at each test’s real length is part of the design, so the clock on test day is a familiar constraint rather than a new one.
A study loop tied to the score report. When a candidate does not pass an FTCE test or subtest, the official score report includes a detailed performance analysis by competency. The program’s practice results will be organized the same way — by the competencies of the test you are preparing for — so a score report and your practice data point at the same next step.
The real exams at a glance
Current as of October 2026, per the official FTCE/FELE program site (fl.nesinc.com, Evaluation Systems of Pearson) and the Florida Department of Education. Full detail — certification pathways, registration, retakes, test day — is in our FTCE exam guide.
| FTCE suite | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Florida Department of Education (Bureau of Educator Certification receives passing scores) |
| Delivered by | Evaluation Systems of Pearson — registration and program information at fl.nesinc.com; computer-based testing at sites throughout Florida and nationwide |
| General Knowledge Test | 4 subtests — Essay, English Language Skills, Reading, Mathematics; each scored and reported independently; all four must be passed |
| Professional Education Test | Approximately 80 multiple-choice questions; 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Subject Area Examinations | 39 different SAEs; format varies by examination (see the guide) |
| Passing standard (multiple-choice) | Scaled score of at least 200 per test/subtest |
| Passing standard (GK Essay) | At least 6 out of 8 total points (for tests taken on or after January 1, 2025) |
| Test dates | By appointment, year-round |
| Exam fees | GK: $130 for all four subtests (subtests may be taken separately, from $32.50 for one); PEd: $150; most SAEs: $150 — see the guide for the full schedule |
- Passing scores are set in State Board rule. FTCE passing standards are established in Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-4.0021 — they are a matter of Florida rule, not a test-center decision, and the same scaled-score standard of 200 applies across multiple-choice tests and subtests.
- A scaled score of 200 is not a percentage. Raw scores are converted to a common scale so different forms of a test demand the same standard. The number of correct answers needed to reach 200 can vary slightly from form to form, which is why Florida publishes only general guidance on percentages — and why candidates who pass receive a “PASS” with no numeric score at all.
- You do not have to take the GK all at once. GK subtests may be split across appointments in any combination, and each subtest you pass stays passed while you finish the rest. The same flexibility applies to the multi-subtest SAEs such as Elementary Education K–6.
- Some candidates can satisfy the GK requirement another way. The official GK page notes that GRE scores or a master’s or higher degree may be accepted as a means of satisfying mastery of General Knowledge. If that might apply to you, confirm it with the Florida Department of Education before registering.
How the practice will map to the real exams
The program is being built piece-by-piece on the structure the official FTCE site publishes for each test. The table below is that structure — the blueprint the program is built to.
| Official test / subtest | Format and time, as published | What the program will drill |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge — Essay (825) | 1 essay; 50 minutes; pass at 6 of 8 points | Timed essay writing under the real 50-minute limit, scored against the qualities the official rubric describes |
| General Knowledge — English Language Skills (826) | Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions; 40 minutes; scaled 200 to pass | Grammar, usage, and sentence-level skills at the subtest’s brisk pace |
| General Knowledge — Reading (827) | Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions; 55 minutes; scaled 200 to pass | Passage-based reading comprehension — main ideas, inference, and analysis of written texts |
| General Knowledge — Mathematics (828) | Approximately 35 multiple-choice questions; 1 hour and 40 minutes; scaled 200 to pass | The GK mathematics competencies, practiced with the on-screen four-function calculator and reference sheet the real test provides |
| Professional Education Test (PEd) | Approximately 80 multiple-choice questions; 2 hours and 30 minutes; scaled 200 to pass | Pedagogy and professional practice — instructional planning, delivery, assessment, and professional responsibilities |
| Subject Area Examinations (39 SAEs) | Varies: most are a single multiple-choice test (e.g., Mathematics 6–12: approximately 50 questions, 2 hours and 30 minutes); Elementary Education K–6 and Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 have four subtests each; English 6–12 and Middle Grades English 5–9 add a written performance section | Content knowledge for the specific subject and grade band on your certificate — drilled exam by exam, subtest by subtest where the exam is split |
How to use it
- Join the notify list today. While the program is in development, start with the official sources: identify exactly which FTCE tests your certification path requires — your Official Statement of Status of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education lists them — and read the Test Information Guide for each one on the official FTCE site.
- Take the GK subtests on a deliberate schedule. You may split them across appointments. Many candidates clear English Language Skills and Reading first, then give Mathematics — the longest subtest — its own appointment and its own preparation block.
- When the program opens, drill by subtest and competency. Work the piece in front of you — one GK subtest, the PEd, or your SAE — until the misses stop repeating, instead of mixing three different tests into one undifferentiated study pile.
- Practice the essay as a timed performance. The GK Essay is 50 minutes, one prompt, human raters. Untimed writing practice does not rehearse the skill the subtest measures.
- Register through the official FTCE site when your timed practice sits comfortably above the passing standard on the test or subtest you are about to sit — and remember that a “NOT PASS” carries a 31-day wait before you can retake that test or subtest, so scheduling readiness matters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FTCE? FTCE stands for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations — the set of examinations the Florida Department of Education uses to measure the general knowledge, professional education competence, and subject-area knowledge required for a Florida educator certificate. The suite consists of the General Knowledge Test, the Professional Education Test, and 39 Subject Area Examinations.
Which FTCE tests do I need to take? It depends on your certification path. In general, Florida’s Professional Certificate requires demonstrating mastery of general knowledge (the GK Test, or an accepted alternative), professional preparation and education competence (including the Professional Education Test), and subject-area knowledge (the SAE for your subject). Your Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, issued by the Department’s Bureau of Educator Certification, states the specific requirements for your case — treat it as the authority.
How is the General Knowledge Test structured? Four subtests, each administered, scored, and reported independently: Essay (1 essay, 50 minutes), English Language Skills (approximately 30 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes), Reading (approximately 30 multiple-choice questions, 55 minutes), and Mathematics (approximately 35 multiple-choice questions, 1 hour and 40 minutes). You must pass all four, but you may take them in separate appointments in any combination.
What score do I need to pass an FTCE test? For multiple-choice and composite tests, a scaled score of at least 200. The GK Essay is scored differently: two human raters award a combined total, and tests taken on or after January 1, 2025 require at least 6 out of 8 total points. Passing standards are set in Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-4.0021.
How many Subject Area Examinations are there? The official FTCE tests page lists 39 different SAEs, from Agriculture 6–12 and Biology 6–12 to Elementary Education K–6, Reading K–12, and Spanish K–12. You take the examination (or examinations) that match the subject coverage on the certificate you are seeking — most candidates take one.
How much do the FTCE exams cost? Per the official fee schedule in effect since April 22, 2019 and published on the official FTCE site: the General Knowledge Test is $130 for all four subtests, or $32.50 / $65 / $97.50 for one, two, or three subtests; the Professional Education Test is $150; and Subject Area Examinations are $150 — including the four-subtest Elementary Education K–6 and Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 batteries at $150 for the full battery, with per-subtest retake pricing. Certification application fees charged by the Department are separate from exam fees.
Where and when can I take the FTCE? All FTCE tests are computer-based and offered by appointment, year-round. Testing sites are located throughout Florida and nationwide, and you schedule your appointment during registration on the official FTCE site.
What happens if I do not pass? You may retake a test, subtest, or section you did not pass 31 days after your most recent attempt, paying the fee again. A test or subtest you have passed cannot be retaken for three years. Your score report for a “NOT PASS” result includes your numeric score and a detailed performance analysis by competency — the starting point for a focused retake plan.
Are these the actual exam questions? No. PassProfessor practice questions are written independently, from scratch, against the competencies and skills Florida publishes for each FTCE test. We never use actual exam questions or another provider’s material.
When will the PassProfessor FTCE program be available? It is in development now. Join the notify list on this page and we will email you when it opens. No enrollment is being taken yet, and we are not publishing a launch date we cannot keep.
Disclaimer
PassProfessor is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Education, Pearson, or the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. FTCE and Florida Teacher Certification Examinations refer to the examination program of the Florida Department of Education, administered by Evaluation Systems of Pearson. This program is exam preparation only and provides no educator certification; Florida educator certificates are issued solely by the Florida Department of Education. Exam details on this page are general information current as of October 2026 — the Florida Department of Education’s and the official FTCE program’s publications govern if anything here differs from them.
FTCE Programs
Select a program from the listings below to view its exam details and leave an email address to be notified when enrollment opens.
FTCE English 6–12 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for grades 6–12 English certification, in two independently scored sections that must both be passed: a Multiple-Choice Section (131) of approximately 60 questions in 1 hour and 30 minutes, requiring a scaled score of at least 200, and a Written Performance Section (132) — one essay evaluating a student’s written analysis of a literary text, in 1 hour, requiring at least 5 out of 8 total points. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for the FTCE English 6–12 examination itself.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.
FTCE ESOL K–12 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for teaching English language learners in kindergarten through grade 12: a computer-based test of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes, across nine competencies — language acquisition and development and assessment at 14 percent each, culture at 12 percent, and language as a system, literacy development, ESOL research, history and Florida public policy including the 1990 Florida Consent Decree, standards-based instruction, resources and technologies, and planning at 10 percent each. The passing score is a scaled score of at least 200, and the FLDOE/Pearson fee is $150. Its fifty-one published skills run from phonology and second language acquisition theory to identification, reclassification, and exit requirements and assessment accommodations for ELLs. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for the FTCE ESOL K–12 sitting itself — code 047, on Florida’s blueprint and Florida’s terms.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.
FTCE Middle Grades Mathematics 5–9 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for teaching mathematics in grades 5–9: a computer-based test of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes, across five competencies — algebra at 30 percent, geometry and student reasoning and instructional practice at 20 percent each, and number sense and data analysis at 15 percent each — with an on-screen scientific calculator provided and no reference sheet. The passing score is a scaled score of at least 200, and the FLDOE/Pearson fee is $150. Its forty-seven published skills run from rational-number fluency and proportionality to quadratic and exponential functions, triangle congruence proofs, probability, and the diagnosis of students’ mathematical misconceptions. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for the FTCE Middle Grades Mathematics 5–9 sitting itself — code 025, and not the separate Mathematics 6–12 examination.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.
FTCE Physical Education K–12 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for teaching physical education in kindergarten through grade 12: a computer-based test of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes, across thirteen competencies — instructional strategies at 13 percent, movement skills and lifetime health, wellness, and physical fitness at 12 percent each, curriculum development and assessment at 10 percent each, and a professional cluster of development, learning environment, safety, law, ethics, and technology making up the rest. The passing score is a scaled score of at least 200, and the FLDOE/Pearson fee is $150. Its fifty-nine published skills run from the history and philosophy of the profession through motor learning, movement analysis, and fitness assessment to advocacy for the subject itself — the only current FTCE physical education examination, code 063. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for the FTCE Physical Education K–12 sitting itself.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.
FTCE Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for teaching children from age 3 through grade 3, in four separately scored subtests: Developmental Knowledge (531), Language Arts and Reading (532), Mathematics (533), and Science (534) — approximately 180 multiple-choice questions in total as a computer-based test, with subtests that may be split across appointments. A scaled score of at least 200 per subtest is required, and all four subtests must be passed. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for each subtest at its own blueprint and pace.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.
FTCE Social Science 6–12 Exam Prep
Florida’s subject area examination for teaching social science in grades 6–12: a computer-based test of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes, across six competencies — world history and U.S. history at 25 percent each, economics and political science at 15 percent each, and geography and social science methodology at 10 percent each, with a Florida history skill inside the U.S. history competency and source, map, and data work throughout. The passing score is a scaled score of at least 200, and the FLDOE/Pearson fee is $150. Its fifty-three published skills run from the early civilizations and the colonial Americas to contemporary global issues, citizenship, and the evaluation of primary and secondary sources. This program in the PassProfessor catalog prepares candidates for the FTCE Social Science 6–12 sitting itself — code 037, and not the separate Middle Grades Social Science 5–9 examination.
Status: in the works — enrollment is not yet open.