FTCE Exceptional Student Education K-12

FTCE Exceptional Student Education K–12 (061)

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About this exam

Exceptional Student Education K–12, test code 061, is one of the subject-area examinations in the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) program listed on the FTCE/FELE website (fl.nesinc.com). It is intended for candidates who are pursuing Florida educator certification to teach students with exceptionalities across kindergarten through grade twelve, and it is one of the requirements candidates typically complete alongside the general professional education requirement and any other subject-area tests their certification path calls for. The examination is organized around five competency areas: foundations of exceptional student education; assessment and evaluation; instructional practices and curriculum; behavior and learning environment; and communication, collaboration, and transition. Because the test is aligned to state academic standards, the program announced that the test information guide for this test has been updated to align to the B.E.S.T. Standards, and interactive competencies and skills worksheets are available for FTCE tests. Preparation should begin with the official test information guide for test 061, which lists the competencies and skills the test measures, followed by targeted review of weaker areas and practice with applied, scenario-based reasoning about IEPs, assessment data, and classroom supports. Registration, scheduling, testing locations, scoring, and current policies are handled through the FTCE/FELE program website.

What you'll study

Common questions

About FTCE Exceptional Student Education K-12 preparation

What does the Exceptional Student Education K–12 (061) test cover?

The test is organized into five competency areas: foundations of exceptional student education; assessment and evaluation; instructional practices and curriculum; behavior and learning environment; and communication, collaboration, and transition. The official test information guide breaks each area down into the specific competencies and skills tested, so use it as your blueprint rather than studying from a general special education textbook alone.

How many questions are on the test, and how long is it?

The FTCE/FELE program homepage does not publish the item count or time limit for test 061. Those details, along with the appointment length, appear in the official test information guide and in the registration materials. Confirm them there before you build a pacing plan, and note that the guide was recently updated, so older secondhand figures may be out of date.

What score do I need to pass, and what does the test cost?

Passing scores and test fees are set by the Florida program and are not listed on the FTCE/FELE home page. Check the registration and scores sections of fl.nesinc.com, or the current test information guide, for the exact passing standard and fee for test 061. Avoid relying on figures from prep blogs, which are frequently outdated.

Is the test multiple choice, and where do I take it?

The test is administered by computer at Florida test centers, and appointments are scheduled through the FTCE/FELE registration system. The program site posts notices when scheduling, rescheduling, or score reporting services are temporarily unavailable, so check for service notices before your appointment date, especially during severe weather.

Have the test materials changed recently?

Yes. The program announced that the test information guide for the Exceptional Student Education K–12 test has been updated to align to the B.E.S.T. Standards. That announcement does not state a year or an administration start date, so confirm the current guide version and any transition information on fl.nesinc.com before finalizing your study materials.

What happens if I do not pass - can I retake it?

Retake rules, waiting periods, and any restrictions are set by the Florida program and are not stated on the FTCE/FELE home page. Review the policies and registration pages for the current retake requirements before scheduling a second attempt, and build in extra study time rather than rebooking immediately.

Is there any fee assistance available?

The FTCE/FELE site has announced an Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education fee waiver. Eligibility conditions, documentation, and availability windows are described by the program itself, so read the fee waiver information on fl.nesinc.com before you register and pay, since waivers generally must be arranged before an appointment is purchased.

In what order should I study the five competency areas?

Start with the official competencies and skills worksheet for test 061 and rate your confidence on each skill. Study your weakest high-weighted areas first, then cycle back through everything for retrieval practice. Foundations and assessment tend to support the instructional and behavior domains, so many candidates review those two early and then apply them to scenario questions.

What are the most common reasons candidates fall short?

Typical problems are studying from outdated or unofficial outlines, memorizing disability definitions without practicing applied decisions about assessment data, IEP services, accommodations, and behavior supports, and ignoring the transition and collaboration domain because it feels less technical. Another frequent issue is poor pacing on scenario items; practice timed sets so you can read carefully without running short.