Skip to Main Content
A-Z Index
Silverfield College of Education and Human Services
oneColumn

Testing Resources

Florida Teacher Certification Examination

General Knowledge Test (GKT)

The General Knowledge Test assesses the skills and knowledge candidates need to begin careers as professional educators and consists of four subtests: Essay, English Language Skills, Reading and Mathematics Subtest.

Subject Area Exams (SAEs)

The Subject Area Exams are designed to test for knowledge of a specific subject matter. The SAEs students choose to take are determined by their desired teaching focus/concentration. There are more than 40 different SAEs available in a variety of subject areas.

Professional Education Test (PEd)

The Professional Education Test is an exam related to knowledge about professional education competencies, and is meant to test education specific to pedagogy and professional practices. Revised in January 2013, this 120-question multiple choice test is built on the Florida Educators Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).

Suggested Exam Preparation Schedule

The Silverfield College of Education and Human Services wants all of our teacher candidates to be successful in passing the FTCE. Those who have experienced first-attempt success on their exams recommend the schedule outlined below.

  • Sophomore Year

    Take the General Knowledge Test (GKT).You’ll need to pass the GKT before reaching senior status.

    • Select a test date and site
    • Register online for the GKT
    • Send your passing score to your academic advisor
  • Junior Year

    Attempt the Subject Area Exam (SAE) for your teaching focus or concentration, as well as the Professional Education Test (PEd). Both exams must be attempted before your student teaching semester. 

    • Select a test date and site
    • Register online for the SAEs you with to take
    • Send your passing score to your academic advisor
      • If you’re interning in the spring, you must take the exams and have your scores submitted by December 1.
      • If you’re interning in the fall, you must take the exams and have your scores submitted by July 1.
  • Senior Year
    Pass your required Subject Area Exam (SAE) and the Professional Education Test (PEd) by the end of your final semester to stay on track for certification.
    • Select a test date and site
    • Register online for the PEd
    • Send your passing score to your academic advisor
osprey bird logo

FTCE Test Registration and Score Information

All Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) are administered at various locations throughout the state of Florida. To find the nearest testing center in your area, please visit the FTCE test center search website.

Students must register online and pay the required fees to Pearson in order to take any portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). The most up-to-date information about the FTCE is available through the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Educator Certification on the FLDOE website for Educator Certification

When registering for any section of the FTCE, indicate the institution (i.e. UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services) that you want to receive your scores.

  • Testing sites in the Greater Jacksonville Area
    • FSCJ (Downtown Campus)
    • Pearson Testing Center located at 8380 Baymeadows Rd. Suite # 11
    • Pearson Testing Center located at 8659 Baypine Rd.
  • Understanding Your Score

    Understanding Your Score

    The scale score for the multiple choice sections on General Knowledge Test (GKT), Subject Area Exams (SAE's) and Professional Education Test (Ped) is up to 200. The essay portion requires a passing score of 8 out of 12.

    View the Florida Department of Education website for FTCE scoring information that includes information about:

    • Passing Scores Needed
    • Score Reports
    • Score Verification Sessions

    For those who are successful, an unofficial score of "PASSED" will appear on the screen at the completion of the test. A copy of your score report will be sent directly to the school district, college or university that you indicated when you registered for the exam. In addition, your passing scores will be submitted electronically to the Bureau of Educator Certification.

    For those who do not have a successful attempt, an unofficial "NOT PASSED" will appear with a scale score. This score is not a direct indicator of how many questions were answered correctly, but can provide an overall view of the attempt.

  • Retest Policies
    Test-takers must wait 31 calendar days before they may retake a failed exam. Retaking an exam within the 31-day period will invalidate your scores for the exam. To retake a test, please submit a new registration and pay the retake fee online. The cost to retake the FTCE is the fee for sitting the exam ($130), plus a retake fee ($20), with amounts to $150 per retake.

What You Need to Know: Academic Policies and the FTCE