Self Evaluation Information for Certification Candidates Who
Have Completed Student Teaching in a
State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission accepts certification recommendations from institutions in Georgia and from institutions in other states which have been approved to offer teacher preparation programs in those states.

Read this section only if you do not presently hold professional educator certification from any state.

If you do hold professional educator certification from any state (or have held certification in the past), you should select a different evaluation option from the previous page.

If your school system submits your application online for you ...

Your system will need the following documentation from you as they apply on your behalf.

• Official Transcripts from all colleges you have attended. Your bachelor level transcript must show the graduation date. The transcript showing your highest degree, regardless of major or specialization area, will be used to determine your highest certificate level and will likely affect your pay as a Georgia teacher. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission accepts credit only from colleges which are accredited by specific agencies. Click here to see accreditation information.
  
  
• Passing Basic Skills Test Results (or evidence of exemption).
  If you are a graduate of a Georgia approved program, you must have passed or exempted the PSC's required tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics as an entrance requirement into your preparation program. Your recommending certification official will signify the passing results on the program recommendation form.
  Click here to see information on the basic skills requirement.
  
  If you are a graduate of a state approved program from another state, the basic skills requirement does not apply to you.
  
  
• Copies of the Subject Area Content Test Results Required for your Certification Field.
  (If you have not passed the required subject area content test in your field, make certain the recommendation form signed by your program's certification official makes that clear. Note: In such a case your certificate will not be classified as 'clear renewable'.)
  
• Approved Program Recommendation Form, Completed by your College Certification Official.
  

The online application procedure assures that you are employed by a Georgia school system, and no fee will be required for that transaction.

If you submit a paper application ...

Recommendations from Approved Programs

• Download and complete the applicable parts of a Georgia certification application package, and it would be a good idea to discuss your application with the certification official at your institution. That person will tell you how and when to obtain your transcript which supports your recommendation. The certification official will also be the one to sign the form recommending you for certification. That same person may help you submit all the completed materials to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission certification office. If you submit the materials yourself, make sure you obtain the transcripts and recommendation form specified by your certification official. If you do not know who the certification official is at your institution, ask the dean or department head.
  
  You will need the following forms found in the application package:
  
  
  1. Application Form (2 pages)
  2. Approved Program Recommendation Form
  3. If you are employed in a Georgia school you will need an Employer's Assurance Form. The school system which hired you must complete that form on your behalf in order to exempt a fee.
     
  
  
• If you have not passed the required subject area content test in your certification field, you must eventually pass it in order to receive full five-year clear renewable (professional) Georgia certification. If you have completed all requirements other than the subject area content test, then you will be required to pass this content test in your certification field(s) before the expiration date of your first Georgia certificate.   Note: In such a case your certificate will not be classified as 'clear renewable'.)
  

If you have not passed the PSC's required subject area content test for your field, you must wait until you are employed (or receive an offer of employment) to request certification. This gives you the maximum time to take and pass the content test.

Click here to see the subject area content test required for your field.

• Official Transcripts from all colleges you have attended. Your bachelor level transcript must show the graduation date. The transcript showing your highest degree, regardless of major or specialization area, will be used to determine your highest certificate level and will likely affect your pay as a Georgia teacher. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission accepts credit only from colleges which are accredited by specific agencies. Click here to see accreditation information.
  
  
• Passing Basic Skills Test Results (or evidence of exemption).
  If you are a graduate of a Georgia approved program, you must have passed or exempted the basic skills test (Praxis I or GACE®) in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics as an entrance requirement into your preparation program. Your recommending certification official will signify the passing results on the program recommendation form.
  Click here to see information on the basic skills requirement.
  
  If you are a graduate of a state approved program from another state, the basic skills requirement does not apply to you.
  
  
• Copies of the PSC's Required Subject Area Content Test Results for the Tests Required for your Certification Field.
  (If you have not passed the Praxis II or GACE® in your field, make certain the recommendation form signed by your program's certification official makes that clear. Note: In such a case your certificate will not be classified as 'clear renewable', and a $20 fee will be required.)
  
  
• Approved Program Recommendation Form, Completed by your College Certification Official.
  
  
• Employer Assurance Form (if you have received a job offer). After you have been offered employment with a Georgia school system, ask the personnel official there to submit an Employer Assurance Form on your behalf. If you are employed, no certification fee will be required. The school system can submit this form electronically.
  
  If you have not received a job offer and are being recommended by an institution outside Georgia, a fee of $20 will be required. Fees are payable by money order or cashier's check made payable to the State of Georgia, or by online fee payment at www.TeachGeorgia.org
  
  
• Application Form containing your answers to the following questions:
  
  
  • Have you ever been dismissed, non-renewed, terminated or resigned while under investigation for allegations of or commission of a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of any profession’s code of ethics?
    
  • Do you have any charges pending against you for committing a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of any profession’s code of ethics?
    
  • Have you ever had any adverse action (i.e. warning, reprimand, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, etc.) taken against any professional certificate or license by any agency (in any state) other than the Georgia Professional Standards Commission?
    
  •  For any felony or for any misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude, have you ever:
  • Pled guilty?
  • Been granted first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt?
  • Been found guilty?
  • Participated in a pre-trial diversion program?
  • Entered a plea of nolo contendere?
  • Been placed under a court order whereby an adjudication or sentence was withheld?

Copyright 2008 Professional Standards Commission