How to Become a Teacher in Georgia

Teachers fill a vital role in society by educating the next generation and leading them into the next stages of their lives. If you live in the Peach State, you may have wondered about how to become a teacher in Georgia.

Like in all other U.S. states, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete student teaching requirements, and earn certification to teach in Georgia. As distance learning has grown in popularity and prominence, many schools have expanded their offerings to provide online teaching degrees.

Learn how to become a teacher in Georgia with this step-by-step guide, including details on available pathways, salary data, and licensure.

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 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. The GaPSC website provides a list of approved programs.

Emerging teachers can earn bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. 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. Your program must lead to initial certification. Some post-bachelor’s education degrees are intended for established, practicing teachers and do not provide certification, so make sure your chosen program meets state certification requirements.

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.

Georgia teaching certification can lead to a stable career with competitive pay relative to national averages. Salaries may depend on multiple factors, including school setting (public, charter, or private), certification level, and years of experience.

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:

Yes — Georgia is currently experiencing a teacher shortage, along with the rest of the country. Fortunately, this creates opportunities for prospective teachers and school districts looking to fill vacancies.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) reports on shortages by school year and specifies subject areas specifically in need. In the 2023-2024 academic year, ED reported shortages in elementary school core subjects and special education, along with a need for secondary educators in language arts, mathematics, and social studies.

Though the report reveals that Georgia still experienced a shortage of special education teachers in the 2024-2025 school year, it specifies a need for secondary educators primarily in science.

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 can 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.