The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is authorized to issue a warning or reprimand, or to suspend, revoke, or deny certificates. These sanctions may be imposed after an investigation is conducted and notice of the disciplinary action with an opportunity for a hearing is provided to the certificate holder. Any of the following grounds shall be considered cause for disciplinary action against the holder of a certificate:
- Unethical conduct as outlined in The Code of Ethics for Educators, Standards 1-10 (GaPSC Rule 505-6-. 01);
- Disciplinary action against a certificate in another state on grounds consistent with those specified in The Code of Ethics for Educators, Standards 1-10 (GaPSC Rule 505-6-. 01);
- Order from a court of competent jurisdiction or a request from the Department of Human Resources that the certificate should be suspended or the application for certification should be denied for non-payment of child support (O.C.G.A. §19-6-28.1 and §19-11-9.3);
- Suspension or revocation of any professional license or certificate;
- Violation of any other laws and rules applicable to the profession; and
- Any other good and sufficient cause that renders an educator unfit for employment as an educator.
Six Disciplinary Actions and Consequences Related to Certificates are Described Below:
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Warning
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A Warning admonishes the educator for his or her behavior but does not invalidate the educator's certificate. The warning cautions the educator that future unethical behavior could lead to a more severe action.
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Reprimand
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A Reprimand admonishes the educator for his or her behavior but does not invalidate the educator's certificate. The reprimand cautions the educator that future unethical behavior could lead to a more severe action.
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Monitoring
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Monitoring is the Commission’s quarterly appraisal of an educator’s conduct while employed in a Georgia
public or private school for a period of time specified by the Commission. Monitoring may be the only
disciplinary action or may be used in conjunction with a suspension, reprimand or warning.
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Suspension
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Suspension is the temporary invalidation of any certificate, license, or permit held by the educator for a period specified by the Commission. An individual whose certificate has been suspended may not serve as a volunteer or be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, or substitute teacher or in any other position during the period of his or her suspension. The educator's certificate is automatically reinstated at the end of the suspension period, provided it did not expire during the suspension. If the certificate expires during the suspension period, the educator must meet the current renewal requirements at the end of the suspension.
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Denial
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Denial is the refusal to grant a certificate to an applicant for disciplinary reasons. An individual who has been denied a certificate may not serve as a volunteer or be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, substitute teacher, or in any other position. An applicant whose certificate application has been denied may petition for the Right to Reapply for certification no sooner than two years from the date of denial. A written petition must be submitted to the Commission with evidence that the reasons for the initial denial are no longer a factor. Should the Commission deny the Right to Reapply, the educator may re-petition for the Right to Reapply no sooner than one year from the date of the petition denial.
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Revocation
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Revocation is the invalidation of any certificate, license, or permit held by the educator. An individual whose certificate has been revoked may not serve as a volunteer or be employed as an educator, paraprofessional, aide, substitute teacher, or in any other position while his or her certificate is revoked. An educator whose certificate has been revoked may petition the Commission for the Right to Reapply for certification no sooner than three years from the date of revocation. A written petition must be submitted to the Commission with evidence that the reasons for the initial revocation are no longer a factor. Should the Commission deny the Right to Reapply, the educator may re-petition for the Right to Reapply no sooner than one year from the date of the petition denial.
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