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

If you hold a Georgia level 4 or higher professional teaching certificate:

You may add the field of Healthcare Science to your existing certificate by completing the following:

• Hold a valid healthcare license, registration, or certification that relates to the healthcare field and has been issued by an appropriate governing or regulatory body, which may be found here.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of occupational work experience in the healthcare field.
• Pass the aligned GACE literacy assessment appropriate to the field.

If you are assigned to teach in the field of Healthcare Science, your employing Georgia school or school system may request a 3-year Non-Renewable or a 3-year Induction certificate in order for you to meet the GACE literacy assessment requirement.

If you have never been professionally certified in GA but you hold a professional teaching certificate in another state in Healthcare Science or a comparable field:

You may apply for initial Georgia certification through interstate reciprocity.  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 Healthcare Science:

Option 1:

You must complete a state-approved educator preparation program, including a student teaching internship, in Healthcare Science. 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.

Option 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 an associate’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution in the healthcare field. 
• Hold a valid healthcare professional license, registration, or certification that relates to the healthcare field and has been issued by an appropriate governing or regulatory body which may be found here.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of occupational work experience in the healthcare field.
• Pass the GACE Ethics for Teachers assessment. 

Option 3:

You may be able to qualify for a Permit. 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 Permit and the requirements are as follows:

• Hold a valid healthcare professional license, registration, or certification that relates to the healthcare field and has been issued by an appropriate governing or regulatory body which may be found here.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of occupational work experience in the healthcare field.
• Pass the GACE Ethics for Teachers assessment. 

You will have to fulfill other requirements to renew the initial Permit. These requirements will be outlined when your certificate is issued.

To read the GaPSC Certification Rule pertaining to Healthcare Science, please click here.