Teaching Requirements in Georgia

So, you want to become a teacher in Georgia, the Empire State of the South. Need some help getting a push in the right direction? Well congratulations, you landed here and that’s a good start. Let’s begin by looking at the overview of the teaching industry in Georgia. As of last year there were approximately 1,522,621 students in the state. Georgia has 2,487 public schools, broken down into 1,224 elementary, 429 middle, and 336 high schools. Teachers in Georgia had an average salary of $48,300 in 2009-2010 (according to bls.gov), with incrementally higher salaries going to those with higher qualifications. Let’s take a look at what acquiring the license takes.

Preliminary Requirements

Clear Renewable Certificate:

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
  • Complete a state approved educator preparation program.
  • Be in compliance with teacher’s board requirements.
  • Pass the Praxis I Basic Skills Assessment Test administered by the Educational Testing Services.
  • Pass the Praxis II Content Knowledge Assessment.
  • Pass a criminal background check.
  • Some schools and districts may have additional requirements.

Applying for Teaching Accreditation in Georgia

After satisfying these requirements, you must then submit the application form and any related fees, a $20 charge. Some secondary schools may require additional specific subject matter coursework and testing, so make sure to check with the individual district requirements.

What next?

Once you have fulfilled these requirements and submitted the appropriate paperwork, you should look into receiving national board teacher certification, as most schools offer financial incentive to those who have one. The Clear Renewable Certificate is valid for a period of 5 years, at which point it must be renewed.