There are several routes you may take to obtain a Georgia teaching certificate in the field of Spanish. 

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

You may add the field of Spanish to your existing certificate by passing the GaPSC-approved content assessment in Spanish and the aligned GACE literacy assessment appropriate to the field.  

If you have never been professionally certified in GA but you hold a professional teaching certificate in another state in Spanish 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 GaPSC-approved content 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: 

There are three ways you may obtain initial certification in Spanish: 

1. You may complete a state-approved educator preparation program, including a student teaching internship, in Spanish, pass the GaPSC-approved content assessment, 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.

2. 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 GaPSC-approved 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. 

3. You may be able to qualify for a Permit. The requirements for an initial Permit are as follows: 

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution, or the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher based on a GaPSC-accepted Foreign Credential Report. 
• English proficiency, as determined by the LUA. 
• Passing score the appropriate GaPSC-approved content assessment . 
• In fields for which both a GACE assessment and an ACTFL assessment are available, either is acceptable for issuance of a permit. 
• Pass the GACE Ethics for Teachers assessment.  

If you meet these requirements, you may seek employment as a Spanish teacher in a Georgia school. Once you are hired, your school may request the Permit on your behalf. You will have to fulfill other requirements to extend the initial Permit. These requirements will be outlined when your certificate is issued. 

To read the GaPSC Certification Rule pertaining to Spanish certification, please click here.