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Aug 23, 2007
The Professional Standards Commission (PSC) directs the preparation, certification, professional discipline and recruitment of educators in Georgia.
The commission has a website, www.gapsc.com that provides detailed information on preparation, certification, and professional discipline, as well as the downloading of application forms, commonly asked questions, etc.
The commission also operates a teachgeorgia.org website as a recruiting service. It gives teachers, school systems and college representatives detailed information on posted job vacancies throughout the state, and also provides the opportunity for applicants to submit electronic resumes for those jobs. The service is free for all qualified teachers looking for a position in Georgia.
The primary routes to obtain an educator certificate in Georgia are:
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Hold an out-of-state educator certificate; or
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Complete a state-approved educator program; or
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Complete an approved alternative route to certification.
In all of the above situations, Special Georgia Requirements must be satisfied. Additional information on interstate mobility of certificates (reciprocity) and the Special Georgia Requirements may be found at www.gapsc.com.
Basic types of Georgia certificates include:
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Clear Renewable Certificate - Full, professional certificate with all requirements completed, valid for 5 years;
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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 Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (TAPP) Intern certificate, is valid for two years;
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Paraprofessional Certificates valid for 5 years.
Substitute Teachers are NOT required to hold Georgia certification.
Georgia uses the Praxis I Basic Skills Assessment and Praxis II Content Knowledge Assessment, administered by the Educational Testing Services, as the standard test for certification. Out-of-state content tests may also be accepted under specific conditions. For out-of-state teachers with adequate recent experience, these Georgia testing requirements may be exempted.
For more information on Georgia educator preparation, certification, professional discipline and recruitment, visit www.gapsc.com and www.teachgeorgia.org.