How to Become a Teacher in Georgia

You can follow multiple paths to earn teaching certification in Georgia. All paths require you to possess a bachelor’s degree, complete a state-approved educator preparation program, and pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exams.

Like many states, Georgia has a shortage of qualified teachers — especially in the metro Atlanta area. In March 2024, state lawmakers responded by introducing legislation to give Georgia’s preK-12 public school teachers a pay raise of $2,500 per year. These developments make Georgia a promising place to launch a teaching career.

This guide explains everything you need to know to become a teacher in Georgia. Discover step-by-step instructions for earning your Georgia teaching certification through conventional and alternative paths.

Candidates need three key components to qualify for teaching certification in Georgia:

They’ll also need to pass an ethics exam and a background check to complete the certification process.

Explore the necessary steps in granular detail:

A bachelor’s degree is the core educational requirement to qualify for teaching certification in Georgia.

You do not necessarily need an education degree. However, you’ll save a step if your bachelor’s degree meets GaPSC’s educator preparation program requirements. This GaPSC resource contains a list of approved programs.

Emerging teachers earn bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields for various reasons. Completing a bachelor’s degree in your preferred subject can build deep expertise that helps you become a more effective educator.

Or, you may have only decided to become a teacher after completing a bachelor’s degree in another field — this is common and you will still have a direct path to certification.

If your bachelor’s degree doesn’t already meet the educator preparation program requirement, you can enroll in a qualifying certification-only program or master’s program. Importantly, your program must lead to initial certification. Some schools position post-bachelor’s education degrees for established, practicing teachers, which do not qualify them for certification.

All state-approved educator prep programs include practicum, field training, and/or practice teaching components. Your school will arrange these experiences on your behalf, since they must meet specific GaPSC requirements.

Georgia’s teaching certification process offers alternative paths. One option is for military personnel transitioning to teaching careers in civilian settings. Here’s how the military-to-teaching path works:

Another path suits career-changers and individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees but have yet to complete educator prep programs. This path engages the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP). Here’s how the GaTAPP path works:

Both alternative paths lead to a provisional Georgia teaching certificate, which remains valid for three years. During that time, you must complete a GaPSC-endorsed educator prep program as you work toward permanent certification.

Your final main qualification step involves passing the GACE assessments relevant to the subject, field, and/or grade level you want to teach. As of July 2024, Georgia issues GACE assessments in 51 areas. Some assessments include multiple tests. In these cases, you can take the tests simultaneously or individually.

The GEEA is a specialized GACE assessment available in two options: a general version and a specialized exam for educational leadership candidates. As a classroom teacher, you’ll need to complete the regular version.

When you meet all requirements, you can start applying for teaching jobs. The TeachGeorgia website is the state’s main repository for teaching positions in public schools.

Once you land a job, your new employer will contact GaPSC on your behalf to request your Georgia teaching certification. Congratulations — you’re now a certified teacher.

Yes — educators with out-of-state teaching certifications can become teachers in Georgia through interstate reciprocity. Eligible candidates must possess valid or expired professional teaching certificates from state-approved educator preparation programs. To qualify, the certificate must be equivalent to one of Georgia’s certificate fields.

Candidates also must meet the same special Georgia requirements as in-state certification candidates. Special requirements include background checks, two teaching assessments, and a special education course. They may meet these requirements before or soon after becoming a teacher in Georgia.

Each reciprocity applicant must submit a copy of their out-of-state license or certification, score reports of any teacher certification assessments taken, and official transcripts. Application requirements also include an online application form, a verification of lawful presence form, and an application fee.

An applicant with one year or more of teaching experience also submit an experience verification form that details their professional, certified teaching experience in other states. School administrators or human resources professionals verify this experience with a signature.

In an April 2024 report, Atlanta News First discussed the city’s triple-digit teacher shortage. The situation reflected statewide trends seen in the 17 regional education service areas recognized by the Georgia Department of Education.

Georgia’s ongoing teacher shortage has a complex set of interrelated causes. As the Georgia Charter Schools Association notes, one major factor is a lack of specialization among certified educators.

To that end, consider these in-demand subject and specialization areas identified by the Georgia Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year.

Georgia teaching certification can lead to a stable career with competitive pay relative to national averages. Salaries may depend on multiple factors, including:

In Georgia, renewable teaching certificates fall into tiers based on the educator’s academic background, experience, and performance history. These tiers include six main classes: standard professional, performance-based professional, advanced professional, lead professional, life, and retired educator. Standard public school teaching salaries operate on a sliding scale that varies according to certification type.

Your salary also rises as you gain experience. After your first three years, you can qualify for annual raises until your ninth service year. From then on, you receive an automatic pay raise every other year.

The following table offers a detailed breakdown of state-specific data: