Georgia Teacher Certification

How to Get Georgia Teacher Certification

Getting certified as a teacher in Georgia in a climate of teacher shortages makes sense. And largely because of an increased need for teachers, getting certified as a teacher in Georgia has been made easier for career-changers.

Georgia Clear Renewable Certification offers a way for bachelor-degree holders in other areas to gain Georgia teacher certification more quickly. The program uses Candidate Support Teams to help inexperienced teachers become skilled teachers. For those without bachelors' degrees, a traditional route--involving the completion of an accredited teacher preparation program -- can be taken to earn Georgia teacher certification.

Those who have not completed teacher training programs can earn conditional certificates, which are valid for two years, with the possibility of a third year at the request of a school system. Those who meet all requirements for Georgia teacher certification -- including completing education courses, passing exams, and fulfilling student-teaching and/or other supervised teaching -- qualify for the clear renewable or performance-based (PB) certificate. These are valid for five years, and can be renewed.

Out-of-State Georgia Teacher Certification

Getting certified as a teacher in Georgia is relatively easy for qualified teachers from other states. A reciprocity-agreement state, Georgia simply requires all necessary paperwork to prove your teaching experience and certification.

Renewing Georgia Teacher Certification

Clear renewable and PB certificates must be renewed every five years. To renew your Georgia teacher certification you need to complete continuing education credits. In addition, you must undergo criminal background checks and fingerprints, pass a computer skill competency exam, and have satisfactory teacher evaluations. Your school district's administrators should be able to help keep you abreast of these requirements.