Georgia, like many states, has specific requirements that must be
completed for clear renewable certification. These requirements are incorporated into
Georgia’s approved teacher preparation programs; educators new to Georgia are given
five years to complete the following requirements. To view the official PSC rule on special
Georgia requirements, see rule 505-2-.020 (requires the Adobe Reader available
here).
Special Education - Course work in the identification and
education of children with special education needs is required for all teaching fields,
Educational Leadership, Media Specialist, and School Counseling as mandated by Georgia
House Bill 671. This course, an introduction to special education, may be completed for
college credit or Georgia professional learning units in the local system or Regional
Education Service Agency (RESA).
Certification Assessment - A content knowledge assessment is
required for most certification fields. Information about required assessments can be found by clicking
here.
Recency of Study/Experience - Recency of study or experience is
met by earning a minimum of six semester or ten quarter hours of college credit or ten Georgia professional learning
units within five years prior to the date of the application, by teaching out
of state for one full year within five years prior to the date of the application on a
valid out-of-state certificate, by teaching full time at an accredited college for one
year within five years prior to the date of the application, by holding NBPTS
certification, or by holding certain licensure issued by the Examining Board Division of
the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State. To view the official PSC rule on recency of
study, see rule 505-2-.037 (requires the Adobe Reader available
here).
Standards of Conduct - All applicants for certification in
Georgia must comply with the ethical standards of the profession for initial and continued
certification.
Computer Competency - Educators seeking Clear Renewable certificates with a beginning validity date of 7/1/06 or later must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency on a PSC-approved test of computer skill competency OR complete a PSC-approved training/course equivalent OR verify completion of an NCATE-approved educator preparation program on or after 7/1/01 OR hold a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate. The PSC-approved courses and test out options for this requirement are listed on the PSC website at http://www.gapsc.com/ApprovedPrograms/EducationProgram.asp.
