There are several routes you may take to obtain a Georgia teaching certificate in the field of Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5). 

If you hold a Georgia level 4 or higher professional or Five (5)-Year Induction teaching certificate: 

You may add the field of Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5) to your existing certificate by completing a state-approved certification program in Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5), passing the GACE assessment in Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5), and passing the appropriate literacy assessment. 

Please note that Georgia educators may not add the field of Special Education/Elementary Education, unlike many other teaching fields, to their certificate simply by passing the GACE content assessment in the field. 

If you have never been professionally certified in GA but hold a professional teaching certificate in another state in Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5) or a comparable field: 

You may apply for initial Georgia certification through interstate reciprocity. If you have not passed an acceptable content assessment in this field, you may be required to pass the appropriate GACE assessment in addition to meeting Special Georgia requirements. 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 teaching certificate in any state: 

You must complete a state-approved educator preparation program, including a student teaching internship, in Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5), pass the GACE assessment in Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5), and pass the appropriate literacy assessment. You may choose to complete a program in Georgia or another state. For a list of Georgia approved programs in this field, please click here. 

You may be able to qualify for a Provisional certificate before you have completed an approved program. This certificate is considered non-professional and is only valid for 3 years. Because this certificate can only be issued at the request of an employing Georgia school or school system, you must be hired to teach in this field in order to qualify for a Provisional certificate. In addition, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.
• Pass the appropriate GACE content assessment.
• Pass the GACE Ethics for Teachers assessment.

Once you are hired, your school may request the Provisional certificate on your behalf. You will have to fulfill other requirements to convert your certificate. These requirements will be outlined when your certificate is issued. 

To read the GaPSC Certification Rule pertaining to Special Education General Curriculum/Elementary Education (P-5) certification, please click here.