For more information about Physical Education (P-12) certification, please refer to the rule 505-2-.71 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL.

OPTION 1: Georgia Approved Program

1. Completion of a GaPSC-approved certification preparation program in Health & Physical Education at the bachelor’s degree level or higher at a Georgia institution.

2. Receive a professional recommendation for initial certification in Health & Physical Education from the authorized college certification officer, verifying the following requirements have been met, including:

a. A passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Assessments or verification of meeting exemption requirements.

b. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education.

c. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

d. Recency of Study.

Georgia program completers who meet items #1 and #2 under Option 1 except Recency of Study can be issued a 1-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time to complete the Recency coursework.

OPTION 2: Out-of-State Program

1. Completion of a state-approved initial certification preparation program in Health & Physical Education at the bachelor’s degree level or higher in another state, including a student teaching internship.

2. Completion of all Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Health & Physical Education, including:

a. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education.

b. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

c. Recency of Study.

Out-of-state program completers meeting item #1 listed under Option 2 but lacking any of the Special Georgia Requirements may be issued a 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time for completion of requirements.

OPTION 3: Out-of-State Certificate (Initial Reciprocity)

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.

2. Verification of holding or having held a professional certificate from another state in Health & Physical Education.

3. Completion of all Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Health & Physical Education, including:

a. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education or provide verification of passing a Health & Physical Education content area assessment required for certification in another state. A copy of the official score report and certificate issued as a result of passing that state’s content area test is required.

b. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

c. Recency of Study.

Out-of-State certificate holders applying for initial certification in Georgia who meet items #1 & #2 under Option 3 but are lacking one or more Special Georgia Requirements are eligible for 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in Health & Physical Education at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time for completion of requirements.

Out-of-state certificate holders under Option 3 may qualify to exempt all Special Georgia Requirements, except standards of conduct, by verifying a minimum of three years of acceptable full-time out-of-state Health & Physical Education teaching experience on a valid out-of-state certificate in Health & Physical Education within five years preceding the date of the certification application.

OPTION 4: Adding the field of Health & Physical Education

1. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Level 4 or higher Georgia educator certificate in any TEACHING field may add the teaching field of Health & Physical Education by passing the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education.

2. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Georgia educator certificate in any SERVICE field may add the teaching field of Health & Physical Education by completing the following requirements:

a. Pass the GACE Professional Pedagogy Assessments.

b. Pass the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education.

c. Complete a 1-year supervised practicum in the field of Health & Physical Education through the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP).

d. Complete any additional Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Health & Physical Education, including coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children, if not previously completed.

3. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Georgia educator certificate in a LEADERSHIP field who do not also hold a valid teaching field must complete a state-approved add-on certification preparation program in Health & Physical Education, including all applicable Special Georgia Requirements (i.e., coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children, Georgia state-approved content area assessment). The program may be completed through a traditional route or a non-traditional route (GaTAPP). Items #1 and #2 in Option 4 are not available.

Educators who hold a valid Clear Renewable Level 4 or higher level Georgia educator certificate in any field may be issued a 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in Health & Physical Education at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time to complete requirements to add the field.

OPTION 5: Non-Renewable Non-Professional entry-level certificate

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution may be eligible for a Non-Renewable Non-Professional certificate in Health & Physical Education by meeting the following entry-level requirements:

1. If a bachelor's degree is the highest earned degree, have graduated with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If the GPA is below the minimum, the applicant must verify acceptance to an educator preparation program or a master’s degree program from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution. If the bachelor's degree was completed 10 or more years from the date of application, the GPA requirement is not applicable. If the highest degree is a master's degree earned from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution, the GPA requirement is not applicable.

2. Pass the GACE Basic Skills Assessments or verify meeting exemption requirements.

3. Pass the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Health & Physical Education.

4. Be employed in a Georgia school system in a Health & Physical Education teaching position.

The initial Non-Renewable Non-Professional certificate in Health & Physical Education is issued at the request of the Georgia school system for 3 years during which time the applicant completes the initial state-approved certification preparation program leading to Clear Renewable certification in Health & Physical Education. The program must include clinical practice or a student teaching internship. A traditional or non-traditional initial certification preparation program may be completed.

OPTION 6: Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy - GaTAPP

The GaTAPP non-traditional certification preparation program offers alternatives to traditional certification preparation. All program paths require employment in a Georgia school system. Please contact a GaTAPP program provider for further advisement on enrollment qualifications.