Which FTCE Tests Do You Need to Teach Elementary in Florida?

To teach elementary school in Florida, most candidates must pass three FTCE exams: the General Knowledge Test, a subject-area exam (Elementary Education K-6 for elementary), and the Professional Education Test. Each one checks a different thing. General Knowledge proves your basic skills, the subject-area exam proves you know the content you will teach, and Professional Education proves you know how to teach it. Miss any one and you are not certified, so it helps to understand up front what all three are and how they fit together.

What FTCE exams do you need for an elementary certificate?

Florida uses a three-part testing model built around three demonstrated competencies: general knowledge, subject-area mastery, and professional or pedagogical skill. For an Elementary Education (K-6) certificate, that translates to the FTCE General Knowledge Test, the FTCE Elementary Education K-6 (060) subject-area exam, and the FTCE Professional Education Test. You take them separately, and you can spread them out. There is no rule that says they must be done in one window or one order.

The exact requirements depend on the certificate you are pursuing and your route into teaching, so always confirm with the Florida Department of Education and your program. But for the standard elementary path, plan on all three. Budget for the fees and the study time each one demands, because they test genuinely different material.

The three FTCE exams at a glance

The General Knowledge Test: your basic-skills gate

The General Knowledge Test is usually the first exam candidates tackle. It has four subtests covering English language skills, reading, mathematics, and a written essay. It is not about elementary content; it checks that you personally have the reading, writing and math skills expected of any Florida educator. Each multiple-choice subtest is passed separately, and the essay is scored on its own. If you fail one subtest, you retake only that subtest, not the whole test.

Because it is a basic-skills exam, straightforward review works well, especially for the math subtest, which trips up people who have not done timed arithmetic and algebra in a while. Once you pass General Knowledge, you have cleared the gate and can focus on the content and pedagogy exams.

Elementary Education K-6 (060): your content exam

This is the exam that proves you know the material an elementary teacher teaches. It is split into four separately scored subtests: Language Arts and Reading (601), Social Science (602), Science (603), and Mathematics (604). Together they run to about 175 multiple-choice questions and 4 hours 30 minutes of testing. Each subtest needs a scaled score of at least 200 to pass, and you must pass all four.

The structure is friendlier than it looks. Since 2023 you can take the subtests in any combination across separate appointments, and passed subtests are retained. That means you can clear the two subjects you are strongest in, bank those passes, and concentrate later sittings on the ones giving you trouble. The most efficient way to prep is subtest by subtest: study one subject, then drill it with FTCE Elementary Education practice questions until it clears comfortably, and move on. Many candidates keep a lot of their review material on paper, and it helps to scan those study guides into searchable text so you can feed any chapter into a practice tool without retyping it.

The Professional Education Test: your pedagogy exam

The Professional Education Test checks whether you know how to teach, not what to teach. It covers instructional design and planning, student-centered learning environments, instructional delivery, assessment strategies, professional conduct and ethics, and research-based literacy and ESOL practices. The questions are scenario-based: you are given a classroom situation and asked what an effective, professional teacher would do. Because it rewards judgment rather than memorized facts, the best prep is practicing decisions until the professional choice feels obvious.

In what order should you take them?

There is no required order, but a common approach is General Knowledge first, since it is the basic-skills gate and often a prerequisite for a temporary certificate or a teaching position. Many candidates then take Elementary Education K-6 while the content is fresh from coursework, and schedule Professional Education closer to their field experience, when classroom scenarios feel concrete. If your preparation program sets a sequence, follow it. Otherwise, take the exam you are most ready for, pass it, and keep momentum.

Frequently asked questions

How many FTCE tests do you need to teach elementary in Florida?

Typically three: the General Knowledge Test for basic skills, the Elementary Education K-6 (060) subject-area exam for content, and the Professional Education Test for pedagogy. You take them separately and can spread them out. Confirm the exact list for your certificate with the Florida Department of Education and your preparation program.

What is a passing score on the FTCE Elementary Education K-6?

You need a scaled score of at least 200 on each of the four subtests, and you must pass all four to pass the overall exam. Scores are reported per subtest and passed subtests are retained, so you only retake the specific subtests you did not pass.

Can you take the FTCE exams in any order?

Yes. There is no mandated order for General Knowledge, the subject-area exam, and Professional Education. Many candidates start with General Knowledge because it is the basic-skills gate, then take the content and pedagogy exams as they become ready. Follow your program's sequence if it sets one.

Do you have to take all four Elementary Education subtests at once?

No. Since February 28, 2023 you can take the four subtests in any combination across separate appointments. That lets you clear stronger subjects first, bank those passes, and focus later sittings on the subtests that need more work. You retake only the ones you fail.

How much do the FTCE exams cost?

Fees vary by exam and are set by the FTCE contractor, with reduced fees for retakes of individual subtests. Because the amounts change, confirm current pricing on the official FTCE registration site before you register, and budget for all three required exams rather than just one.