Georgia and Teacher Certification

Even though it may seem like a complicated system, earning your Georgia teaching certificate is a necessary step in order to teach in the state. The state has adopted a mixture of individualized requirements and several frequently used standards created by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). The state's certification system provides teachers with a standardized level of professional understanding and proficiency, to ensure that Georgia's teachers are some of the best in the country.

Georgia Teaching Certification

The Georgia certification system has several detailed paths that an individual can take in order to receive their teaching certificate. Each certification method is intended to allow for flexibility, while still maintaining the highest standards in the classroom. All four of the routes have different eligibility requirements fit to meet the needs for teachers of all kinds, no matter if you are moving to another state, switching career fields, or just starting your first career. We have provided the basic steps that each path requires below.

1. Traditional Route The traditional route has two options that people can choose. One is normally used for individuals who are earning their degree to become a teacher and the other option is for those who have already completed a four-year degree and are just looking to earn their certificate.
   1. EARN A DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE
      • Register for college program for degree & certificate specialization desired
      • Complete all specific program requirements, complete degree and obtain a recommendation form from the college attended.
      • Take the appropriate content assessment exam; in most cases, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE), prior to receiving a certificate.
   2. EARN CERTIFICATE ONLY (NO NEW DEGREE)
      • Already earned minimum of bachelor's degree
      • Enroll in a state-approved college program for the certificate only (this program is frequently called a post-bac program).
      • Complete all program requirements and obtain a recommendation form from the college.
      • Complete the mandatory content assessment exam, in most cases, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE), prior to receiving a certificate.
2. INTERSTATE MOBILITY (RECIPROCITY)

   For teachers who have already completed their degree and teaching certificate, but has decided to move to another state, Georgia has created a reciprocity route.

   1. RECIPROCITY
      • Must already hold an out-of-state professional certificate or have completed a state-approved educator program and have the recommendation form, from another state.
      • The specific Georgia requirements that need to be completed will be determined based on the individual's experience and credentials.
      • Contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to inquire about your specific situation.

   Georgia will accept some teaching credentials from a number of states across the country. For more information about which states they accept, contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission or visit their website.

3. Alternative Routes:
   1. GEORGIA TEACHER ALTERNATIVE PREPARATION PROGRAM (TAPP)
      • Designed for "career switchers", who hold a college degree but did not complete teacher education requirements.
      • Eligible individuals accepted into TAPP if they have employment at a participating school.
      • Must complete a two-year internship/induction period and some specific state requirements depending on the individual's experience and credentials.
      • The application for certificate program must come from employing school system.
   2. NON-RENEWABLE, CERTIFICATE-BASED OPTIONS
      • Under the specific situations listed below, candidates with a current job offer may, at the judgment of the employing school system, attain a Non-Renewable certificate.
      • Additional requirements (coursework, assessments) will be acknowledged on the certificate and must be completed within the validity date of the certificate.
      • Application for certificate must come from employing school system.
        1. Hold an inactive (expired) Georgia educator certificate. The school system may request new Non-Renewable certificate in same field(s) and no more than one additional field.
        2. Hold a valid, Clear Renewable Georgia educator certificate. The school system has the ability to request an additional Non-Renewable certificate in a different field.
   3. NON-RENEWABLE, TEST-BASED OPTIONS
      • Under specific situations listed below, candidates holding a college degree with proper GPA and a current job offer may, at the request of the employing school system, earn a Non-Renewable certificate.
      • Additional requirements (course work, pedagogy, assessments) will be identified on the certificate and must be completed within the validity date of the certificate.
      • Application for certificate must come from employing school system.
        1. Passed the GACE Basic Skills and GACE Content Assessment. Employing system requests certificate; applicant affiliates with state-approved program, completes requirements and obtains recommendation during validity period of certificate.
        2. Passed the GACE Basic Skills, GACE Content Assessment and GACE Professional Pedagogy. Must also hold college degree in certificate field or related field. Employing system requests certificate; applicant completes 1-year supervised program and the remaining special Georgia requirements during validity period of certificate.
        3. Passed the GACE Basic Skills with an employment offer in a Special Education field. Under specific conditions, at the discretion of an employing school system, Non-Renewable certification is available in the fields of Special Education without having passed the GACE prior to eligibility for employment.
4. International Exchange Route:
   1. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
      • Non-U.S. citizens with teaching credentials & experience in their native country who wish to come to Georgia to teach for up to 3 years.
      • Must provide a "foreign credentials report" to verify equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree and have employment.
      • Application for certificate must come from employing school system.
5. Permit Route:
   1. PERMIT
      • Eligible performing artists (dance, drama and music), retired teachers and native foreign language speakers to teach in Georgia classrooms, and selected leaders from business/industry/government to serve in a superintendent position.
      • Application for certificate must come from employing school system.

Basic types of Georgia certificates

• Clear Renewable Certificate - Full, professional certificate with all requirements completed, valid for 5 years.
• Non-Renewable Certificates with initial pre-requisites that enable the applicant to serve as a classroom teacher while completing remaining certificate requirements. Non-renewable certificates are usually valid for 5 years. One style of non-renewable certificate, the GA TAPP Intern certificate, is valid for two years.
• Paraprofessional Certificates valid for 5 years.

Additional Information:

• Substitute Teachers are NOT required to hold Georgia certification.
• Clear renewable and PB certificates must be renewed every five years.
• To renew a Georgia teacher certification an individual needs to complete continuing education credits. In addition, they must continue to go through criminal background checks and fingerprints, pass a computer skill competency exam, and have satisfactory teacher evaluations.
• The employing school district's administrators should be able to help keep their teachers aware of these requirements.