Florida State University ensures that all instructors of record possess the academic preparation, training, and experience to teach in an academic setting, meet or exceed the minimum requirements of accrediting bodies and accomplish the mission of the institution. This applies to all instructors of record, including but not limited to, full and part-time faculty, tenured, tenure-track, clinical, visiting instructors, instructors teaching with courtesy appointments and adjunct positions as well as graduate teaching assistants.

When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, Florida State University gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes.

For all cases, the institution is responsible for documenting and justifying the qualifications of its faculty prior to appointment.