There are several routes you may take to obtain a Georgia certificate in the field of School Social Work.

If you hold a Georgia level 4 or higher renewable professional certificate:

Your employing Georgia school or school system may request a 3-year Non-Renewable certificate for you if you can verify acceptance into either a state-approved certification preparation program in School Social Work at the master’s degree level or higher or a GaPSC-accepted accredited Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree program. In order to convert to a Professional certificate, you will have to complete your social work program.

If you have never been professionally certified in GA but hold a professional certificate in another state in School Social Work or a comparable field:

You may apply for initial Georgia certification through interstate reciprocity. Please submit your application materials in order to determine which additional requirements, if any, you will be required to fulfill to obtain Georgia certification in this field.

If you do not hold a professional certificate in any state:

You may qualify for a Standard Professional certificate in School Social Work by fulfilling one of the following requirements:

1.     Complete a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution, and pass or exempt the Program Admission assessment;

2.     Complete a state-approved certification preparation program in School Social Work at the master’s degree level – level five (5) – or higher; or

3.     Hold a valid State of Georgia Master Social Worker’s or Clinical Social Worker’s license.

You may be able to qualify for a Non-Renewable certificate if you have met all of the requirements for full certification except that the highest degree held is a bachelor’s degree. Because this certificate can only be issued at the request of an employing Georgia school or school system, you must be hired in this field in order to qualify for a Non-Renewable certificate.

To read the GaPSC Certification Rule pertaining to School Social Work certification, please click here.