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Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Georgia
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Georgia. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Primary Exam
Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment
Total Gov Fees
$260–$330
Initial Cert
3 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Content knowledge assessment specific to the certification field. Administered by Evaluation Systems (Pearson) since July 1, 2025 (previously ETS). Passing at the Professional level may be required for Professional Certificate.
ethics
Passing score: Pass/Fail
Required for all initial certification applicants. Tests knowledge of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment
Passing Score
Varies by subject area
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $193–$245Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment.
Matched study materials
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Issued to teachers who have completed an educator preparation program and are employed as lead teachers. Valid for 3 years. Must advance to Professional Certificate.
Requires at least 3 years of teaching experience within the last 5 years and a Professional-level passing score on the GACE content exam. Valid for 5 years and renewable.
Issued to out-of-state educators or those who meet specific criteria. Valid for a specified period and not renewable.
Minimum Education
Varies by district; typically bachelor's degree or 20 hours of GaPSC-approved training
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by employing district
Georgia does not require a state-level substitute teaching certificate. School districts set their own requirements, which typically include a bachelor's degree or completion of GaPSC-approved substitute teacher training, plus a background check.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application FeeGaPSC fee per certification transaction | $20 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeGBI/FBI background check fee (approximate) | $44 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)GACE Content Assessment ($143–$195) plus Ethics Assessment ($50) | $193–$245 | Verified |
| Initial CertificateGaPSC transaction fee | $20 | Verified |
| Renewal FeeGaPSC transaction fee per renewal | $20 | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees; one of the lowest total costs in the nation | $260–$330 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Graduate from a GaPSC-approved educator preparation program with at least a bachelor's degree, including a full semester of student teaching.
Take and pass the GACE Content Assessment for your certification area and the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment.
Fee: $193–$245
Submit fingerprints for GBI and FBI background checks.
Fee: $44
Apply through the GaPSC's MyPSC online portal.
Fee: $20
Once all requirements are verified, the Induction Certificate is issued for 3 years.
Must advance to Professional Certificate by completing 3 years of teaching experience and passing GACE at the Professional level.
Georgia offers the GaTAPP program for individuals with a bachelor's degree who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. Candidates teach under an Induction Certificate while completing program requirements. The program requires passing GACE assessments and completing a supervised teaching experience.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Georgia requires Professional Certificate holders to submit required documentation every 5 years for renewal. Requirements vary by certificate field and may include professional learning units (PLUs), coursework, or other GaPSC-approved professional development activities.
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Reciprocity Type
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Georgia participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with valid certificates may be eligible for Georgia certification.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must pass the GACE content assessments and Ethics Assessment, complete a background check, and meet Georgia-specific requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.24.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Georgia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Unique to Georgia: Georgia has the lowest certification transaction fee in the nation at $20 per certification action. The state requires a unique GACE Educator Ethics Assessment for all new teachers. GaPSC rules updated effective July 1, 2025 reflect current certification standards.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (you) | $260–$330 | 216–234 wks | |
| Alabama | $500–$650 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Florida | $490–$590 | 216–234 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $347–$577 | 216–234 wks | → |
| South Carolina | $540–$710 | 216–234 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Georgia
See how Georgia compares: Teacher License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Teacher requirements in Georgia verified against Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), March 2026.
Moving to Georgia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Georgia →
Transfer your Teacher license from Georgia to: Alabama → | Florida → | North Carolina → | South Carolina → | Tennessee →
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