How to Become a Physical Education (PE) Teacher in Georgia
In Georgia, physical education teachers can teach at any grade level. Aspiring PE teachers can become certified with just a bachelor's degree upon passing content assessments. Continue reading to find out more.
Georgia Physical Education Teacher Certification
In the state of Georgia, educators who wish to teach physical education can become certified a few different ways. An educator must hold at least a bachelor's degree, and will be expected to complete a teacher education program if they have not already completed one. The certification is a Health and Physical Education endorsement certificate and can be used to teach grades preschool through 12th.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education Required </td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exams Required </td><td>GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators)</td></tr>
<tr><td>License Validity Period </td><td>3 years (induction) <br/>5 years (professional)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Advancement Requirements </td><td>Teaching experience <br/>Assessments <br/>Higher degree <br/>Teacher education program if not completed</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mean Salary <br/>(2018, all teachers, statewide)* </td><td>$30,910 (preschool) <br/>$54,080 (kindergarten) <br/>$56,360 (elementary) <br/>$58,190 (middle school) <br/>$58,050 (high school)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Estimated Job Growth <br/>(2018-2028, all teachers, nationwide)* </td><td>7% (preschool) <br/>3% (kindergarten and elementary)<br/> 4% (middle and high school)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---RoutesToP.E.CertificationLicensedEducators">Routes to P.E. Certification: Licensed Educators</h3><p>An educator who is already licensed to teach in Georgia with a professional certificate can add the Health and P.E. endorsement after passing the associated GACE assessments.
</p><p>Educators who are licensed in Georgia with an induction certificate can have their employing school request a supplemental induction certificate in health and physical education upon passing applicable GACE assessments.
</p><p>Educators who are licensed in another state with a physical education certification may apply for certification through interstate reciprocity. An educator may be required to take a GACE assessment and complete additional requirements.
</p><h3 id="section---RoutesToP.E.CertificationPotentialEducators">Routes to P.E. Certification: Potential Educators</h3><ul><li>Traditional: An educator should complete a qualifying educator preparation program, including student teaching, and pass the required GACE assessments. Many of these programs are built into a bachelor's degree program, allowing an educator to fulfill most requirements during their college coursework.
</li><li>Alternative: Potential educators holding a bachelor's degree can obtain an Induction Pathway 4 certificate after obtaining a teaching position. The educator must pass GACE assessments, the Educator Ethics Assessment, and work towards completing an approved teacher education program.
</li></ul><h3 id="section---ApplyingForCertification">Applying for Certification</h3><p>Applications can be completed online or via mail. Educators will need to provide their official transcripts, assessment scores, verification of employer, and any other required documentation. Applicants who are applying for an initial certification after completing a teacher education program will not be required to pay an application processing fee, but applicants who have not yet completed a program (such as one applying for Induction Pathway 4) will be required to pay a fee of $20.
</p><h3 id="section---CertificateRenewalAndUpgradeEntryLevelInduction">Certificate Renewal and Upgrade: Entry Level/Induction</h3><p>Entry-level educators will receive a 3-year induction pathway certificate. Induction levels 1, 2, and 3 can be upgraded and renewed, but Induction Pathway 4 cannot be renewed or upgraded.
</p><p>If an educator holds an Induction 1, 2, or 3, they may choose to renew their certificate while completing the requirements for a professional certificate. Upon completing three years of qualifying teaching, an educator may apply for a standard professional certificate.
</p><p>An educator holding an Induction Pathway 4 certificate may apply for a standard professional certificate after completing three years of teaching along with an approved teacher education program.
</p><h3 id="section---CertificateRenewalAndUpgradeStandardProfessional">Certificate Renewal and Upgrade: Standard Professional</h3><p>Educators holding a standard professional, 5-year license may renew or upgrade to another level. In order to renew a standard professional license, educators must have 3 years of qualifying teaching experience within the 5-year period of their current license, and complete any required professional development and performance evaluations. Beyond the standard professional license are the advanced professional and lead professional licenses, both of which are also valid for five years. Standard renewals and upgrades are free to process.</p>