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How to become a certified teacher in Georgia. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required. Primary exam: Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) - Content Assessment. Government fees: $260–$330. Substitute requirements: Varies by district; typically bachelor's degree or 20 hours of GaPSC-approved training. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
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
Most information on this page has been verified.
92% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
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
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Application FeeGaPSC fee per certification transaction | $20 |
| Fingerprint FeeGBI/FBI background check fee (approximate) | $44 |
| Exam Fees (Total)GACE Content Assessment ($143–$195) plus Ethics Assessment ($50) | $193–$245 |
| Initial CertificateGaPSC transaction fee | $20 |
| Renewal FeeGaPSC transaction fee per renewal | $20 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees; one of the lowest total costs in the nation | $260–$330 |
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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#18 of 51
Cost
#4 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$59,170
25th percentile
Median
$63,490
+2% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$77,340
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
42,440 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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