How to Get Paraprofessional Certification in Florida: Steps and Costs

Florida does not issue a statewide paraprofessional certification. To work as a paraprofessional in Florida, you qualify through the school district that hires you by meeting one of three educational standards set by federal law, clearing a Level 2 background screening, and completing the district’s application. Most applicants who don’t already have college credits meet the educational standard by passing the ParaPro Assessment.

The Three Ways to Qualify

Every instructional paraprofessional in Florida must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. On top of that, federal law requires one of three additional qualifications, and Florida adopts these pathways directly.¹

Two years of study at an accredited college or university. What counts as “two years” depends on the institution: some define full-time as 12 credits per semester (48 total), others as 15 (60 total). Confirm the number your target district accepts.²
An associate’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. Any completed degree at this level or above satisfies the requirement automatically.²
A passing score on a state- or locally-approved academic assessment. In Florida, this almost always means the ParaPro Assessment.²

One boundary worth flagging: paraprofessionals whose only duties are translating for English learners or conducting parent engagement activities need just a high school diploma or GED. The three additional pathways apply to those who provide instructional support in the classroom.¹

The ParaPro Assessment

The ParaPro Assessment is the route most applicants take when they don’t have the college credits or a degree. Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers it. The test has 90 questions split evenly across reading, mathematics, and writing, with roughly two and a half hours to finish.³⁴

About two-thirds of the questions test basic skills in those three areas. The remaining third puts those skills into classroom scenarios, such as helping a student work through a math problem or identifying the main idea in a passage.⁴

Cost and Registration

The ParaPro Assessment costs $85, whether you take it at a Prometric test center or through the at-home proctored option. Register through the ETS ParaPro website, choose your format and date, and bring valid photo identification on test day. Older sources sometimes list a $55 fee; that figure is outdated, so confirm the current price with ETS before registering.

Passing Scores Vary by District

There is no single statewide passing score. Each Florida district sets its own minimum, and the range across the state runs roughly from 440 to 464. A sample of Florida district requirements published by ETS:

440: Martin County School Board
450: Lee County School District
457: Collier, Duval, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, and Sarasota counties, plus Brevard Public Schools and Polk County Public Schools
460: St. Lucie and Taylor counties
464: Florida Consortium

If your target district isn’t listed, call its human resources office before you register so you’re aiming at the right number.⁵

Preparing for the Test

ETS publishes free and paid prep resources on its official ParaPro prep page. Two free ones are the best starting points: a Study Companion that walks through the test format with sample questions and explanations, and a Study Guide focused on the skills and knowledge areas covered. ETS also sells a timed interactive practice test that mirrors the real testing experience.⁶

The exam tests skills you probably already use. If you can read a passage and identify its argument, work through basic algebra and fractions, and spot grammatical errors, you’re in reasonable shape. The classroom-application questions catch most test-takers off guard, so spend extra time with the scenarios in the Study Companion.

Requesting Accommodations

If you have a documented disability, request accommodations through ETS Disability Services as early as you can. The documentation review typically takes four to six weeks, and if ETS asks for more paperwork, expect another two to four weeks on top of that. You’ll complete a Testing Accommodations Request Form from the ParaPro Bulletin Supplement and send it, along with your supporting documentation, to ETS by mail or to disability.reg@ets.org.⁷

Already have accommodations approved for the SAT or ACT? Submit a copy of that approval letter with your request. ETS generally honors accommodations approved by other testing agencies as long as they don’t compromise test security.

Applying to a School District

Once you’ve met the educational standard, apply directly to the district where you want to work. There is no central state agency issuing paraprofessional credentials; the district’s human resources department verifies your qualifications and makes the hiring decision.⁸

A typical application package includes:

Official college transcripts, if you qualified through the credit or degree pathway
A ParaPro score report, if you qualified through the assessment (some districts, including Polk County, require an original or notarized copy uploaded with your application)
Proof of a high school diploma or GED
A completed Level 2 background screening

Submission methods vary. Some districts accept scanned documents through an online portal; others want hard copies at the HR office. Check the district’s careers page or call HR before sending anything.⁵

Level 2 Background Screening

Florida law requires a Level 2 background screening for every school district employee who has direct contact with students or access to school grounds while students are present. It applies to paraprofessionals whether the position is instructional or noninstructional.⁹

The Level 2 screening is a fingerprint-based check against state and FBI criminal history databases. The cost may be paid by the district, a contractor, or you personally, depending on district policy. Expect roughly $50 to $75 out of pocket when the district passes the cost through, though some cover it for new hires. If the screening turns up a disqualifying offense, you’ll be suspended immediately from any role involving student contact, with no option to keep working while you appeal.⁹

After you’re hired, Florida law also requires you to notify your employer within 48 hours if you’re convicted of any disqualifying offense. This is a sworn obligation under penalty of perjury, not a matter of district policy.

Extra Rules for Title I and Special Education Roles

If you’ll be working in a school that receives Title I funding, additional federal rules shape your role. In a schoolwide Title I program, every paraprofessional providing instructional support must meet the qualification standards regardless of how the position is funded. In a targeted assistance program, the requirements apply only to paraprofessionals whose positions are paid partially or entirely with Title I funds.¹

Paraprofessionals supporting students with disabilities fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on top of the standard qualification requirements. IDEA requires state education agencies to ensure that personnel serving children with disabilities are “appropriately and adequately prepared and trained” for the role.¹⁰ Florida districts hiring for special education classrooms often require additional training beyond the ParaPro baseline, typically provided after hiring, covering areas like behavior management, assistive technology, and IEP implementation. The specifics depend on the district and the students you’ll serve.

Benefits Worth Knowing Once You’re Hired

Paraprofessionals qualify as “eligible educators” under federal tax law. The Internal Revenue Code defines an eligible educator as any K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide who works at least 900 hours during the school year.¹¹ Starting in 2026, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eligible educators can deduct unreimbursed classroom expenses for books, supplies, computer equipment, and other instructional materials, and the IRS has confirmed that K-12 aides are covered.¹²

If you carry federal student loans, working full-time as a paraprofessional in a public school district qualifies you for Public Service Loan Forgiveness because public school districts are government employers. After 120 qualifying monthly payments on Direct Loans while employed full-time, the remaining balance is forgiven. The payments don’t have to be consecutive, so breaks in employment don’t necessarily reset your count.¹³

If teaching is your longer-term goal, the University of West Florida runs a Para to Teacher Tuition Support Program funded by the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services. It covers tuition, textbooks, and Florida Teacher Certification Examination costs for paraprofessionals currently working in Florida public schools who enroll in a special education degree program leading to initial certification. In exchange, you commit to a service obligation teaching students with disabilities in a Florida public school after completing the program.¹⁴

1
Florida Department of Education. Title I Paraprofessionals Non-Regulatory Guidance
2
Florida Department of Education. Paraprofessional Qualification
3
ETS. ParaPro Assessment Study Companion
4
ETS. Test Overview – ETS ParaPro
5
Polk County Public Schools. Steps to Become a Paraeducator
6
ETS. Official ParaPro Test Prep
7
ETS. How to Request Accommodations for ETS Tests
8
Florida Department of Education. Educator Certification
9
The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 1012 – Section 1012.465
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U.S. Department of Education. Sec. 300.156 Personnel Qualifications
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Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 U.S. Code 62 – Adjusted Gross Income Defined
12
Internal Revenue Service. Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Individual Tax Provisions
13
Federal Student Aid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness
14
University of West Florida. Para to Teacher Support Program