Foreign Credential Evaluations for Florida Teacher Certification
If you earned your degree outside the United States, FLDOE requires acceptable documentation of its U.S. equivalency for Florida educator certification.
Direct answer
Does Florida Require a Foreign Credential Evaluation for Teachers?
Yes, if you completed college or university education outside the United States and are using it to apply for Florida educator certification.
The Florida Department of Education requires the report to be written in English, state the U.S. equivalency of the degree or academic credential, and break down coursework using descriptive course titles and U.S. semester-hour credits.
This makes a course-by-course credential evaluation appropriate for most foreign-educated applicants seeking Florida teacher certification.
At a glance
Your Florida Teacher Certification Evaluation
Accepted evaluation source
Florida Accepts Evaluations from AICE Members
FLDOE identifies acceptable reports from an accredited four-year U.S. college or university; a current AICE or NACES member; or an individual evaluation agency separately approved by the Florida Bureau of Educator Certification.
Alianza Academic Evaluations is an AICE-Endorsed Member. Applicants can therefore select Alianza under FLDOE's AICE-member provision rather than relying on Florida's separate individually named agency list.
Learn More About AICE
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What Evaluation Do I Need for Florida Teacher Certification?
Florida needs more than a simple degree-equivalency statement. For most applicants, Alianza recommends a Course-by-Course Evaluation.
Florida Teacher Certification Course-by-Course Evaluation
Documents your academic preparation in terms the Florida Bureau of Educator Certification can use.
- Academic credentials reviewed
- Institutions attended
- U.S. educational equivalency
- Descriptive English course titles
- U.S. semester-credit conversions
- Relevant academic preparation details
Who may need it
Who Needs a Florida Teacher Credential Evaluation?
You may need an evaluation if you completed some or all of your higher education outside the United States.
International Degrees
Bachelor's or master's degrees earned in another country.
Teacher Education
Overseas teacher-education programs or education coursework.
Subject Preparation
Academic subject coursework completed outside the United States.
Temporary Certificate
Applicants seeking a Florida Temporary Certificate.
Professional Certificate
Applicants working toward a Florida Professional Certificate.
FLDOE Request
Anyone asked to document foreign college or university coursework.
Application documents
What Documents Should I Submit to Alianza?
Requirements depend on your country, institutions, and academic history. Apply with the records available, and Alianza will tell you if additional documentation is necessary.
- Degree certificates or diplomas
- Transcripts, mark sheets, or academic records
- Teacher-education records, when applicable
- Certified English translations for documents not issued in English
- A copy of a foreign teaching credential, if one was issued
Four clear steps
How the Florida Teacher Certification Process Works
Apply to Alianza
Complete the online application for a Course-by-Course Evaluation.
Submit Documents
Provide the academic records and translations needed to evaluate your education.
Receive the Evaluation
Alianza researches your institution, credential, program, and academic record.
Submit to FLDOE
Follow the Bureau's current instructions for the original evaluation and certification documents.
Important: FLDOE states that photocopies of the evaluation are not accepted. Do not send original foreign diplomas or original foreign transcripts to FLDOE; documents submitted to the Bureau become part of the permanent certification record and cannot be returned.
FLDOE review
What Does Florida Do With My Credential Evaluation?
The evaluation documents your international academic education in U.S. terms. It supports your application but does not itself grant a Florida teaching certificate.
After reviewing your application, FLDOE may issue an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE), which explains whether you are eligible and what requirements remain.
Florida examinations, professional preparation, subject-area or employment requirements.
Fingerprints or other requirements established by Florida law and regulation.
Foreign Teaching License
If you hold a teaching certificate or license from another country, you may include a copy. Alianza may identify it for informational purposes but does not determine that it equals a Florida or U.S. professional license.
English Translations
Documents not issued in English generally need an acceptable translation. Translation converts the language; credential evaluation determines how the education compares with U.S. education.
Alianza can assist with translation services when needed.
Why Alianza
A Clear Evaluation for Your Florida Application
AICE-Endorsed
Alianza meets the professional membership route identified by FLDOE.
Detailed Reporting
Course titles, U.S. semester credits, and educational equivalency in one report.
Teacher-Education Experience
Academic preparation is reviewed in the context of the submitted records.
Rush Available
Optional expedited processing begins after the file is complete.
Florida evaluation answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Florida Department of Education accept Alianza evaluations?
FLDOE states that evaluations may be prepared by a current AICE member. Alianza Academic Evaluations is an AICE-Endorsed Member.
Do I need a document-by-document or course-by-course evaluation?
A course-by-course evaluation is generally appropriate because Florida requires both a U.S. degree-equivalency statement and a coursework breakdown with descriptive titles and semester-hour credits.
How much does the evaluation cost and how long does it take?
The Course-by-Course Evaluation is $225. Standard processing is generally 15 business days after your file is complete. Rush and other optional services may involve additional fees.
Can I send FLDOE a photocopy of the evaluation?
No. FLDOE states that applicants must submit an original credential evaluation report and that photocopies are not accepted. Follow the Bureau's current submission instructions.
Should I send my original diploma or transcript to FLDOE?
No. FLDOE specifically advises applicants not to send original foreign diplomas or transcripts because submitted documents become part of the permanent certification record and cannot be returned.
Does the evaluation guarantee a Florida teaching certificate?
No. Alianza provides an independent academic credential evaluation. FLDOE makes every decision concerning eligibility for Florida educator certification.
Can a non-U.S. citizen apply for Florida teacher certification?
Yes. FLDOE states that a non-U.S. citizen may apply and may receive an SOE. Appropriate immigration status must be established before employment, and a valid U.S. Social Security number is required for issuance of a Florida Educator's Certificate. These matters are separate from the academic evaluation.
Ready to Move Forward With Florida Teacher Certification?
Alianza can prepare the course-by-course evaluation needed to document your international academic preparation for FLDOE.