How to Become a Teacher in Georgia

• Becoming a teacher in Georgia requires a bachelor’s degree and student teaching experience.
• Most Georgia teachers must meet teaching certification requirements.
• Understanding the certification process can help you launch your teaching career.

More than 123,000 teachers work in Georgia’s public schools, according to the Georgia Department of Education, with even more working in private schools.

Georgia educators teach foundational skills such as reading and prepare high schoolers for college or the workforce. Whether you’re considering an in-person or online bachelor’s in education, make sure you understand the Georgia teaching requirements before launching your career.

Want to make a difference in Georgia schools? Then check out our guide on how to become a teacher in Georgia.

4 Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Georgia

You’ll need to meet educational and experience requirements to qualify for a Georgia teaching certification. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to work in Georgia schools.

1. Earn Your Bachelor's Degree

Like in other states, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher in Georgia. If you’re looking for public school teaching jobs, you’ll also need to choose a teacher preparation program approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Committee (GaPSC). You can look up approved programs on the GaPSC website.

Most teachers major in education or teaching. These majors incorporate student teaching, pedagogical training, and subject-matter coursework, so they’re the fastest track to becoming a teacher. If you major in a different subject, you may need to complete an additional preparation program.

2. Gain Student Teaching Experience

You’ll need classroom experience to become a teacher in Georgia. That usually means completing student teaching experience, though you can also gain field experience in other ways, such as an education practicum.

If you’re attending an approved educator preparation program, your college will help you meet the Georgia teaching requirements by securing a student teaching placement at a Georgia school. This option also helps online students in Georgia meet teaching certification requirements.

3. Take Required Certification Tests

After you’ve got the degree and experience to become a teacher, you’ll need to pass tests to receive your Georgia teaching certification.

In Georgia, that means passing the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exams. The required tests depend on your teaching level and subject areas. You can find out which GACE tests you’ll need to take on their website.

Test-takers complete the computer-based GACE exams at approved testing centers.

4. Apply for Certification

First-time teachers in Georgia receive an induction certificate. To receive this certification, you must apply for a job at a Georgia-based school. After being hired, your new employer will apply for the certificate from GaPSC on your behalf. To apply for the certification, you must provide several documents, including:

• Official transcripts from a state-approved teacher preparation bachelor's degree
• Proof of completing a preparation program
• GACE passing scores on all required exams
• Completed certification application and nonrefundable processing fee

What's the Career Outlook for Teachers in Georgia?

Teachers are in high demand in Georgia. The state’s teacher shortage areas include elementary teachers and secondary language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies teachers. Georgia also reports a shortage of K-12 special education teachers.

Nationally, the number of K-12 teaching jobs will grow by 1% from 2022 to 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections. Slow growth is due, in part, to state and local budget deficits.

However, Georgia teachers have benefited from raises and bonuses designed to attract and retain qualified educators. For example, in Dec. 2023 Governor Brian Kemp announced a $1,000 year-end bonus for public school teachers.

How Much Will You Make as a Teacher in Georgia?

Georgia teachers report salaries that are in line with the national average. For example, Georgia high school teachers earned an average salary of $67,520 in May 2022, according to BLS data. Nationally, high school teachers make $69,480 on average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching in Georgia

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 7, 2024.