Florida Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Florida: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Florida guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Florida
The roles and responsibilities of a special education teacher in Florida extend well beyond the classroom, and with Exceptional Student Education (ESE) ranked the #1 highest-need certification area in the state for 2025–26, Florida districts are actively seeking qualified ESE educators across all grade levels.
Florida certifies ESE teachers through the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) under four K–12 certification areas: Varying Exceptionalities, Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, and Specific Learning Disabilities (Speech-Language Impaired requires a master’s degree). All paths require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completion of a state-approved educator preparation program or 30 semester hours of ESE coursework, and passing the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE), including the Subject Area Exam for Exceptional Student Education and the General Knowledge Test.
An alternative pathway is available through Florida’s Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) for career-changers who hold a degree in a related field.
Explore how Florida compares to other states: Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to almost 80 CTLE-eligible PD courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Florida
Florida’s Professional Educator Certificate is valid for five years. To renew, ESE teachers must complete 120 in-service points or 6 semester hours of college credit during each validity period. At least 20 in-service points (or 1 semester hour) must specifically address teaching students with disabilities, a requirement that applies to all Florida certificate holders, not just ESE teachers.
Florida processes professional development credit at the district level. NASET courses are submittable to your district using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 as evidence of quality.
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Florida
Salary Overview
- Florida ESE teachers earn an average of approximately $50,000–$56,000 annually, with entry-level positions starting at the state minimum of $47,500.
- Top earners with advanced degrees or additional endorsements can reach $65,000 or more.
Job Market
- ESE is Florida’s #1 teacher shortage area, with over 2,000 projected vacancies for the 2025–26 school year, creating strong earning potential and career advancement opportunities for certified educators.
- Districts in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties frequently offer additional incentives to attract ESE teachers.
IEPs in Florida
Florida follows federal IDEA requirements for all Individualized Education Programs. ESE teachers are core members of every IEP team, which must include at least one general education teacher, one special education teacher, a district representative, a person to interpret evaluation results, and the parent or guardian. IEPs must be reviewed and revised at least annually, with full re-evaluations conducted every three years.
Florida does not differ from federal timelines in this area, but ESE teachers carry significant documentation responsibilities, maintaining records of present levels of performance, specially designed instruction (SDI), accommodations, and progress toward annual goals.
NASET’s IEP resources, forms, and checklists are built to support these day-to-day documentation demands.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
Key Resources for Florida Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- FLDOE Exceptional Student Education
- FLDOE Certification Renewal Requirements
- Roles and Responsibilities of a Special Education Teacher (NASET PDF)
- NASET IEPs from Around the Country
- NASET Forms, Checklists & Procedures for Special Educators
- NASET Landmark Cases in Special Education
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET offers the most comprehensive professional development library built specifically for ESE educators.
The Membership gives you instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses, IEP tools, and resources — all submittable to your Florida district for renewal credit using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014.
The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) is the nationally recognized credential for career advancement in this field. Members receive 15% off all certifications.
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