Certificate Renewal

Certificate renewal requirements are determined by the type of certificate and, in some cases, the year in which the certificate expires. Please expand the sections below to see renewal requirements for each certificate type and scenario.

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Click to see the content Current or expired Standard or Performance-Based Professional Renewal Requirements (formerly Clear Renewable Certificate)

When does it expire? Renewal Requirements Renewal Application Procedures
2018 or later and 2010 or earlier
(not employed in a Georgia LUA at the time of renewal) 		Complete one of the following renewal requirements within the validity of your current certificate, or within the 5 preceding years of the date of the renewal application for expired certification:
  • 6 semester hours from an accredited college/university with a grade of “B” or better.
  • 10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) through a GA school system or RESA approved to offer preparation programs.
  • 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from an accredited college/university or a provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
  • One hundred (100) hours BFTS-approved trainings.
  • Re-take and pass the GACE content assessment for your field(s). Only fields for which the educator passes the appropriate assessment will be renewed.
  • Educators employed in a Georgia LUA after 7/1/17 and for at least one year during the certificate validity period may have the previous employing LUA verify completion of professional learning for renewal using the Professional Learning Verification Form.
  • One year of successful out-of-state educator experience while holding a professional out-of-state certificate. The Experience Verification Form and copy of the Professional out-of-state certificate must be submitted.
  • Valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification.
  • For some service fields, valid state or national licensure as outlined in the specific rule for that field.
Submit the following:
  • MyPSC Application requesting renewal. The application process begins in the Applications/Documentation/Status link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
  • Documentation reflecting completion of renewal requirements.
  • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen. This may be uploaded via your MyPSC account.
  • $20 processing fee payable via the Payments link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
All documentation above must be uploaded via the applicant’s MyPSC account with the following exceptions:
  • Official college/university transcripts must be emailed directly to the GaPSC at mail@gapsc.com from the institution or through a secure parchment service.
  • GACE scores are received directly from the testing provider and need not be uploaded.
2018 or later
(employed in a Georgia private school, agency, or other education organization) 		Complete one of the following renewal requirements:
  • Any one of the renewal requirement options outlined above.
  • Evidence of completing an individualized Professional Learning Plan or Professional Learning Goals during the validity period of the certificate, as evidenced on an Employer Assurance Form.
  • Faculty of Georgia colleges/universities may complete the options above or may submit professional development verified in an official letter from the dean of the college/university.
Submit the following:
  • MyPSC Application requesting renewal. The application process begins in the Applications/Documentation/Status link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
  • Documentation reflecting completion of renewal requirements.
  • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen.
  • Employer Assurance Form or $20 processing fee payable via the Payments link of the applicant’s MyPSC account (Employer Assurance Form required for private school educators).
All documentation above must be uploaded via the applicant’s MyPSC account with the following exceptions:
  • Official college/university transcripts must be emailed directly to the GaPSC at mail@gapsc.com from the institution or through a secure parchment service.
  • GACE scores are received directly from the testing provider and need not be uploaded.
2018 or later
(employed in a Georgia public LUA)
  • Complete an individualized Professional Learning Plan or Professional Learning Goal coordinated with supervisor and employing LUA.
  • Complete any outstanding Special Georgia Requirements that were outlined when the initial certificate was issued.
  • Complete MyPSC Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs) in the Personal Affirmations link of the educator’s MyPSC account.
  • The certificate renewal must be requested electronically by the Georgia employing system. Please contact your system’s Human Resources department for more information.
Between 2011 and 2017
(inclusive)
  • Renewal credits were suspended during this time. Renewal course work is not required to renew.
  • Complete any outstanding Special Georgia Requirements that were outlined when the initial certificate was issued.
  • MyPSC Application requesting renewal. The application process begins in the Applications/Documentation/Status link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
  • Documentation reflecting completion of Special Georgia Requirements, if applicable.
  • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen.
  • $20 processing fee payable via the Payments link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.


Click to see the content Paraprofessional License Renewal Requirements

When does it expire? Renewal Requirements Renewal Application Procedures
Between 2011 and 2017
(inclusive)
  • Employment by a Georgia LUA.
  • Renewal credits were suspended during this time. Renewal course work is not required to renew.
  • Complete MyPSC Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs) in the Personal Affirmations link of the educator’s MyPSC account.
  • The certificate renewal must be requested electronically by the Georgia employing system and include the following:
    • Official transcripts or high school diploma if not previously submitted to the GaPSC.
    • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen.
    Please contact your system’s Human Resources department for more information regarding the submission of renewal requests.
2010 or earlier and 2018 or later
  • Employment by a Georgia LUA.
  • Complete an individualized Professional Learning Plan or Professional Learning Goals coordinated with supervisor and employing LUA.


Click to see the content Educational Interpreter License Renewal Requirements

When does it expire? Renewal Requirements Renewal Application Procedures
Any year
(not employed in a Georgia LUA at the time of renewal)
  • Hold a valid RID Certification or submit official documentation verifying the EIPA assessment has been completed during the validity period established on the license or within 5 years of an application to reinstate.
  • Bachelor’s degree, if applicable.
And:

Complete one of the following renewal requirements within the validity of your current certificate, or within the 5 preceding years of the date of the renewal application for expired certification:
  • 6 semester hours from an accredited college/university with a grade of “B” or better.
  • 10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) through a GA school system or RESA approved to offer preparation programs.
  • 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from an accredited college/university or a provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
  • Educators employed in a Georgia LUA after 7/1/17 and for at least one year during the certificate validity period may have the previous employing LUA verify completion of professional learning for renewal using the Professional Learning Verification Form.
Submit the following:
  • MyPSC Application requesting renewal. The application process begins in the Applications/Documentation/Status link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
  • RID or EIPA verification.
  • Documentation reflecting completion of renewal requirements.
  • Official bachelor’s degree transcript, if applicable.
  • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen.
  • $20 processing fee payable via the Payments link of the applicant’s MyPSC account.
All documentation above must be uploaded via the applicant’s MyPSC account with the following exceptions:
  • Official college/university transcripts must be emailed directly to the GaPSC at mail@gapsc.com from the institution or through a secure parchment service.
Any year
(employed in a Georgia LUA at the time of renewal)
  • Hold a valid RID Certification or submit official documentation verifying the EIPA assessment has been completed during the validity period established on the license or within 5 years of an application to reinstate.
  • Bachelor’s degree, if applicable.
  • Complete an individualized Professional Learning Plan or Professional Learning Goals coordinated with supervisor and employing LUA.
  • Complete MyPSC Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs) in the Personal Affirmations link of the educator’s MyPSC account.
  • The certificate renewal must be requested electronically by the Georgia employing system and include the following:
    • Official bachelor’s degree transcript, if applicable.
    • RID or EIPA verification.
    • Verification of Lawful Presence documentation, unless previously submitted or not a U.S. citizen.
    Please contact your system’s Human Resources department for more information regarding the submission of renewal requests.


Click to see the content Non-Instructional Aide, Support Personnel, and Adjunct License Renewal Requirements

When does it expire? Renewal Requirements Renewal Application Procedures
Any year
  • Employment by a Georgia LUA.
  • Complete renewal requirements as specified by the employing Georgia LUA.
  • Complete MyPSC Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs) in the Personal Affirmations link of the educator’s MyPSC account.
  • The certificate renewal must be requested electronically by the Georgia employing system and include the following: Please contact your system’s Human Resources department for more information regarding the submission of renewal requests.

Applying for Renewal

Renewal requests may be submitted beginning December 1 of the school year of expiration. For more information on application procedures and document submission, please see the Common Documents Required for each Certification Transaction Type.

Renewed Certificate Dating and Lapses

Renewing without a Validity Lapse
Professional certification expiring on 6/30 does not need to be renewed prior to that date to prevent a lapse in certification in the following case:
  • An educator meets all requirements to renew prior to 6/30, and submits a complete application anytime between 7/1 and 6/30 of the following fiscal year resulting in a backdated certificate starting at the end of the last credential.
Example:

An educator’s professional certificate expires on 6/30/24 and they complete 6 semester hours of acceptable college credit during spring semester 2024. They do not submit a complete application until December of 2024, yet their next certificate is issued from 7/1/24 to 6/30/29 without a lapse.

Renewing with a Validity Lapse
A renewed certifcate may reflect a lapse in validity from the end date of the last credential in the following cases:
  • An educator completes outstanding requirements after a certificate has lapsed and the next certificate cannot be backdated prior to when a requirement is met.
  • An application is submitted after the fiscal year following expiration.
Examples:

An educator’s professional certificate expires on 6/30/24 and required the completion of a course in the identification of exceptional children for renewal. The educator does not complete the course until 12/15/24, and then submits a complete application shortly after. The renewed certificate is issued from 12/15/24 to 6/30/29, coinciding with the completion of the course.

Or:

An educator’s professional certificate expires on 6/30/24 and they complete 6 semester hours of acceptable college credit during spring semester 2024. However, they do not submit a complete application until December of 2025, and their next certificate is issued from 7/1/25 to 6/30/30. Despite requirements being met previously, the credential cannot be backdated prior to the start of the fiscal year in which the application was received.

Note there is no penalty for allowing certification to lapse. Your certificate may be renewed upon meeting standard renewal requirements outlined above and the submission of a complete application.

Renewal Coursework Content

Educators not employed in Georgia public/charter schools have the flexibility to pursue courses they feel will provide the most benefit to their teaching career and classroom. Courses are not required to be specifically related to one or more certification fields held. Please see the renewal requirement dropdowns above for more information on acceptable coursework for renewal.

Non-Renewable Certification

If you have been issued Professional, Paraprofessional, or Educational Interpreter certification and do not meet certain renewal requirements, a Georgia employer may request a 1-year Non-Renewable certificate on your behalf so that you may be placed on a professional learning plan. Once the professional learning plan and all other outstanding special requirements are complete, your employer will then request the reissuance of your full certification.

Retired Educators

If you have retired and wish to qualify for a Retired Educator Certificate in lieu of renewal of your Professional certification, please see the Retired Educator Certificate FAQs for more information.

Unsatisfactory Performance Evaluations

An educator who has received any combination of 2 Unsatisfactory, Ineffective, or Needs Development annual performance evaluations in the previous 5-year certificate validity period may not receive a renewable certificate until the performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily remediated. Please see the Performance Evaluations page for more information.