How to Get Your Georgia
Teacher Certification
Your Georgia teaching certification opens the door to a meaningful career and the chance to make a positive, lasting impact on schools and students.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your teaching certification in the Peach State — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program to passing your certification exams and applying for your license.
Georgia Department of Education
The Georgia Department of Education is a great resource for aspiring educators. In particular, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission has detailed information on certification and educator assessment, preparation, ethics, and more.
When you’re ready to apply for a teaching position, the TeachGeorgia website has a list of open positions and job fairs.
How to Become a Certified Teacher in Georgia
Georgia has two pathways to teacher certification:
The Traditional Pathway
If you’re a high-school graduate and you know you want to become a teacher, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited college or university.
You’ll then need to:
- Pass the required certification exams.
- Complete a background check.
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The Alternative Pathway
If you have a bachelor’s degree in something other than education, you can enroll in an Educator Preparation Program and teach full-time while completing your certification requirements.
Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program can be completed in as little as 9 months:
- Fully accredited
- 100% online
- Global cohort model
- Rolling admissions
- Monthly start dates
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Teacher Benefits in Georgia
Abundant Job Opportunities
There are nearly 120,000 teachers in Georgia, according to the DOE, with jobs for elementary and secondary school teachers projected to grow 10% by 2032 compared to 2022.
Diverse Classrooms
Georgia’s student body is 37% white, 37% Black, and 17% Hispanic, according to the DOE.
Highly Educated Teachers
Nearly 44% of Georgia teachers have a master’s degree, according to the DOE. Just under 19% have a specialist degree, and nearly 3% hold a doctorate.
A Strong Economy
Georgia is No. 13 in the nation for fiscal stability and 15th for its economy, according to a state-by-state ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
Certification Types
Georgia has a tiered certification system with three main types: provisional, induction, and professional.
Provisional
You can get a provisional certificate if you are a career changer transitioning into education. With a provisional certificate, you can teach in a Georgia school for up to 3 years while completing your Educator Preparation Program.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Enroll in an accepted Educator Preparation Program within the first year of your provisional certification.
- Passing score on the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment.
- Passing score on the appropriate GACE content assessment(s).
Induction
You can earn an induction certificate, valid for 5 years, after completing your Educator Preparation Program, including clinical learning, or student teaching.
Requirements:
- Passing score on the appropriate GACE content assessment(s).
- Passing score on the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment.
- B or higher in a course on identifying and educating exceptional children.
Professional
After 3 years of successful teaching in Georgia, you can transition to a professional certification. A professional certificate is renewable every 5 years.
After earning your professional certificate, you can advance further to an advanced professional certificate or a lead professional certificate. For more information, visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.
Georgia Teacher Requirements
General Requirements
Georgia teachers are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. If you already have a bachelor’s in something other than education, you can earn your teaching certification through an Educator Preparation Program instead of a 4-year college or university.
You’ll also need to pass certification exams and complete a background check
Testing Requirements
To teach in Georgia, you’ll take the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE). Specific exams will vary based on grade level, subject, and type of certification, but the tests are split into four main buckets:
Content
assessments
Performance-based
assessments
Ethics
assessments
Licensure
assessments
Education & Degree Requirements
Georgia requires educators to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. If your degree is in something other than education, you can earn your certification through an Educator Preparation Program, such as Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program.
Georgia Licensing Application Process
When you’re ready to apply for your Georgia teaching certification, you’ll submit your application online through MyPSC. You can use that same website to check the status of your application, read any correspondence, and view or print your certificate.
Georgia Educator Preparation Program
You could earn your Georgia teaching certification in as little as 9 months with Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with small class sizes, dedicated mentors, and clinical learning (student teaching) included.
Moreland University’s Guide to Teacher Certification in Georgia offers a streamlined overview of what it takes to become a certified teacher in the Peach State.
FAQs
You have questions about becoming a certified teacher in Georgia. We have answers.
How do I become a Georgia teacher?
Georgia teachers are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. If your degree is in something other than education, you can earn your teaching certification through an Educator Preparation Program.
You’ll also need to pass the required Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators and complete a background check.
You can find more information on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.
Do I need a teaching certification to teach in Georgia?
Yes, in most cases, you need a certification to teach in Georgia.
Georgia has a tiered certification system, with provisional, induction, and professional certificates.
What are the requirements for Georgia teacher certification?
The specific requirements for teacher certification in Georgia vary depending on the type of certification you’re seeking and the grades and subject areas you want to teach.
In general, Georgia teachers must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program.
- Pass the required certification exams.
- Pass a criminal background check.
For more detailed information, visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.
What are the steps to get a teaching certification in Georgia?
To earn a teaching certification in Georgia, you need to:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Pass the required Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Teachers (GACE).
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program.
- Pass the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment.
- Earn a B or higher in a course on identifying and educating exceptional children.
- Complete a background check.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a path to a teaching certification in Georgia. For more detailed information, visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.
How do I maintain my Georgia teaching certification?
Specific renewal requirements in Georgia vary depending on the type of certificate and, sometimes, the year it expires.
For details regarding your specific certification, visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website.
How long does it take to become a certified teacher in Georgia?
The timeline to become a certified teacher in Georgia can vary depending on your educational background, the specific certification path you choose, and the time it takes to complete the required exams and training programs.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months.
How much do Georgia teachers make?
Georgia teacher salaries depend on multiple factors, including experience, education, subject area, grade level, and school district.
The average starting salary for a Georgia teacher is $41,148, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. 39 in the nation.
The average overall salary for a Georgia teacher is $64,461, No. 20 in the U.S.
It’s worth noting these salaries typically reflect around 10 months of work, as teachers have summers off as well as some time off during the school year.
Those who pursue a master’s in education (M.Ed.) can often make more money as well.
How much money can I make starting out as a Georgia teacher?
The average starting salary for a Georgia teacher is $41,148, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. 39 in the nation.
Starting salaries for Georgia teachers vary depending on the school district, education level, teaching experience, subject area, and grade level.
How can I learn more about becoming a certified teacher in Georgia?
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is a great resource to learn more about teacher certification and teaching and education in general in the Peach State.
You can also reach out to Moreland University at admissions@moreland.edu or 844-283-2246. We’d be happy to answer your questions about teacher certification or our 9-month EPP.