Requirements to Renew a Teaching License in Georgia

<p>In the state of Georgia, educators are required to have at least a bachelor's degree, complete a teacher preparation program, and submit passing test scores. Certifications are typically valid for five years, and vary based on the grade or subject being taught. There are several options for certificate renewal. Keep reading to find out more details. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required </td><td>Bachelor's degree; completion of approved teacher preparation program</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Required </td><td>GACE Program Admission Assessment; GACE content assessment; edTPA; Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment</td></tr> <tr><td>License Validity Period </td><td>5 years</td></tr> <tr><td>Renewal Requirements </td><td>Based on license expiration and employment status, but can include college credits, professional learning, professional plans, and others</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Teacher Salary (2018)* </td><td>$54,080 (kindergarten); $56,360 (elementary); $58,190 (middle school); $58,050 (high school)</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026, nationwide)* </td><td>7% (kindergarten and elementary); 8% (middle and high school)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---RenewalRequirements">Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>There are different requirements for renewing a Georgia teaching license, referred to most frequently as a certificate. The Standard Certificate is valid for five years, and is issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, or GaPSC. These requirements vary based on when the most recent certificate was issued and the employment of the teacher, but any educator who has had two or more unsatisfactory performance reviews during their five-year certificate period may not receive a renewed certificate until their performance issues have been satisfactorily corrected. </p> <h4 id="section---2010OrEarlierExpiration">2010 or Earlier Expiration</h4> <p>Educators whose certificate expired before or during 2010 must complete any one of the following: </p> <ul><li>6 semester hours, with a grade of B or better from an accredited college or university </li><li>10 Continuing Education Units </li><li>10 Professional Learning Units </li><li>Pass a re-take of the GACE content assessment for their field </li><li>One year of qualified out-of-state educator experience with a valid out-of-state certificate </li><li>Valid certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards </li><li>Valid certification of Georgia Master Teacher </li><li>Some fields may require additional licenses </li></ul><h4 id="section---20112017Expiration">2011-2017 Expiration</h4> <p>For any educator whose certificate expired between 2011 and 2017, they will need to complete any specific requirements that were outlined when their last certificate was issued. Renewal credits were suspended during this time. </p> <h4 id="section---2018OrLaterExpiration">2018 or Later Expiration</h4> <p>Educators whose certificate expired in 2018 are grouped into two categories. First, those who are not employed by a Georgia LUA, or local unit of administration, have the same requirement for those whose certificate expired in 2010 or earlier. See above choices. Second, educators who are currently working for a public LUA will need to complete the following requirements: </p> <ul><li>Ask the HR department to initiate the renewal </li><li>Complete a Professional Learning Plan or a Professional Learning Goal with their supervisor and employing school </li></ul><h3 id="section---ApplyingForRenewal">Applying for Renewal</h3> <p>Educators employed in the Georgia public school system will have the school apply electronically for renewal. Those employed by another type of LUA will need to send in documentation of their renewal requirements (except for 2011 to 2017 expiration) along with the following completed forms: Certification Update Application, Employer Assurance Form, and Verification of Lawful Presence. </p> <p>Unemployed educators will be required to send in the Certificate Update Application, $20 processing fee, and a Verification of Lawful presence. They may receive a Certification of Eligibility until they gain employment, at which point their certificate can be converted to a professional certificate.</p>