Florida School Librarian Certification

Primary School Librarian Certification

This is the primary license in Florida, the Professional Educator Certificate.

For this license, if you already have a bachelor’s degree and you’d like to move in this direction, your easiest route might be to get certified by the National Board for Professional Educators in LIbrary Media. It counts towards most of your requirements for the certification

However, it’s not the only route towards the license.

Education Requirements

For your primary certification, you need at least a bachelor’s degree of some sort. If you don’t already have one, choose a state approved teacher preparation track to smooth your way. It will count toward your Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education requirement.

You can also use college to fulfill your subject area requirements. If you have a bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in educational media or library science, or you took at least thirty (30) semester hours in educational media or library science (specific course requirements here), that can satisfy that particular requirement.

There are several education options that can be used, in tandem with the Florida Professional Education Exam, to fulfill the necessary Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education requirement mentioned above. Here are the options:

• A state-approved teacher preparation program from a Florida institution
• Similar out-of-state program
• A Florida state-approved Professional Development Certification Program
• An approved Florida Educator Preparation Institute program

Experience Requirements

You do not need any experience to get this license.

Testing Requirements

The easiest option, as mentioned, is a NBPTS certification in LIbrary Media. This is a nationally rated exam. It counts for several different requirements.

If you don’t have a NBPTS certification in Library Media, you’ll need to take the Florida Professional Education Test.

For the general knowledge requirement, if you don’t have a NBPTS certification, you will need a passing score on the Florida General Knowledge Test, or the following minimum GRE scores:

• GRE Analytical Writing combined score of 4 out of 6 acceptable for GK Essay
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning scaled score of 147 acceptable for GK Mathematics
• GRE Verbal Reasoning scaled score of 151 acceptable for both GK English Language Skills and GK Reading

If you don’t have the educational requirements for the subject mastery requirement, you can take the Florida Subject Area Examination for Educational Media Specialist (PK-12) to count towards your Subject Mastery requirement.

Background Checks

You will be fingerprinted and must undergo a background check to get this license. This background check protects the students and staff employed at your school.

Application Process

To apply, follow these instructions for the online portal. You’ll need the following documentation:

• Transcripts proving your bachelor’s degree
• Your Florida Subject Area Examination Educational Media Specialist scores OR your transcripts proving a degree in educational media or library science, or appropriate coursework.
• A copy of your NBPTS certification*
• A copy of your scores on the general knowledge test or your GRE scores
• Your Florida Professional Education Test scores
• Transcripts proving completion of an in-state or out-of-state teacher preparation program, educator preparation institute program, or professional development certificate (if your bachelor’s degree fulfills this requirement, you do not need multiple forms of documentation)

*If you provide your NBPTS certification, you do not need the rest of the documentation below it on the list.

This license will cost $75.

Initial School Librarian Certification

If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree that follows an educator preparation program or a National Board Certification, you can still get a short term license. The Temporary Educator Certificate lasts for 3 years and is nonrenewable, and gives you a chance to get the last few requirements finished.

You can not be issued this license without already having a job in a Florida school.

Education Requirements

For your certification, you need at least a bachelor’s degree of some sort. If you don’t already have one, choose a state approved teacher preparation track to smooth your way.

You can also use college to fulfill your subject area requirements. If you have a bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in educational media or library science, or you took at least thirty (30) semester hours in educational media or library science (specific course requirements here), that can satisfy that particular requirement.

Experience Requirements

You do not need any experience to get this license.

Testing Requirements

There are no testing requirements to get this license, however you can take the Florida Subject Area Examination for Educational Media Specialist (PK-12) to count towards your Subject Mastery requirement.

Background Checks

You will be fingerprinted and must undergo a background check to get this license. This background check protects the students and staff employed at your school.

Application Process

To apply, follow these instructions for the online portal. You’ll need the following documentation:

• Transcripts proving your bachelor’s degree
• Your Florida Subject Area Examination Educational Media Specialist scores OR your transcripts proving a degree in educational media or library science, or appropriate coursework

This license will cost $75.

Transitioning To A Full License

When you acquire the additional documentation (Mastery of General Knowledge and Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence) you can fill out the Online CG-10 Application Form. Provide your documentation, and this transition will cost $75 as well.