Exchange Teacher Program

The Florida Department of Education (Department) is a J-1 Visa sponsor in the United States (U.S.) Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program. Exchange teachers who meet the teacher and licensure requirements below make an initial three-year commitment to teach in Florida. Participating districts and charter schools employ these teachers in accordance with local regulations and policies.

Program Duration

Exchange teachers may teach in the U.S. for three years and may be eligible to extend their teaching for an additional one or two years contingent upon Department of State approval and the willingness of the school district or charter school to renew the employment contract.

Participant Requirements

Teacher Requirements: Prospective teachers can review J-1 teacher requirements at the U.S. Department of State J-1 Teacher Program page. Prospective teachers must have a minimum of two years teaching experience.

Licensure Requirements: For the purposes of Educator Certification, the J-1 Visa is required for the submission of an application and issuance of a temporary exchange teacher certificate.

• An exchange teacher is defined as a teacher from a country other than the United States teaching as a result of a reciprocal arrangement with the united States government or a nationally recognized organization in the United States and another country.
• 6A-4.002(6)(c), F.A.C. outlines the general provisions for exchange teachers.

Please visit the Bureau of Educator Certification’s Foreign Trained Graduates page to learn more about the certification requirements in Florida for exchange teachers. The non-renewable license will only be valid in the employing school or district and for the grade levels and subject areas listed on the license.

Financial Disclosure for Exchange Teachers Coming to Teach in Florida

The Department has prepared a financial disclosure statement (PDF) for exchange teachers in compliance with federal regulations for J-1 Visa sponsoring organizations. This statement will be useful to overseas educators who might be considering Florida as a potential exchange visiting teacher program destination by providing a basic understanding of the financial circumstances that might be encountered while living and working in Florida. The salary ranges, deductions and costs described in this disclosure represent statewide averages.

Program Participation Fees: Please note that the Department does not charge any visa sponsorship or program participation fees to the exchange teacher that it recruits for placement in Florida.

Third-Party Organizations: The Department exclusively collaborates with the following third-party organizations to recruit exchange teachers for its programs. There are no fees charged by these programs:

• Ministry of Education of Spain (Spanish Visiting Teacher Program)
• Académie de Normandie (Teacher Exchange Program with France)

Program Contact

Ashley Monroe, Recruitment Coordinator
edrecruit@fldoe.org
850-245-9614