Georgia Initial School Counselor Certification

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: September 18th, 2024

To become a school counselor in Georgia, you must complete a rigorous certification process. This process ensures that you have the skills and knowledge needed to help students. It also includes a background check to make sure you’re safe to work with children. This helps keep the job market competitive.

Georgia offers three different types of school counselor certification. Each type is designed for people with different backgrounds and experiences. Explore the specific requirements for each below.

Standard Professional School Counselor Certification

This certification pathway accommodates those with a background in School Counseling, whether through education, certification in another state, national certification, or relevant experience in the field. The various entry points provide flexibility for individuals with different educational and professional backgrounds.

To attain initial certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), candidates can follow several routes, including completing a master’s degree program in School Counseling, holding a Professional School Counseling certificate from another state at the masters level, possessing a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential, submitting a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselors license (LPC or LAPC), or verifying five (5) years of acceptable experience in the field while holding an out-of-state certificate.

Additionally, candidates must pass the GACE content assessment or provide official scores of the content exam required for an out-of-state professional certificate. A prerequisite for certification is the completion of a course in identifying and educating exceptional children with a grade of B or better.

Education or Degree Requirements

Regardless of the avenue, all applicants need to meet the education requirement of a master’s degree program in School Counseling or a related counseling field in addition to possession of a valid counseling license. Individuals holding a professional School Counseling certificate from another state at the masters level are also eligible.

Additionally, candidates need to complete a course in identifying and educating exceptional children with a grade of B or better.

Testing Requirements

Candidates in traditional Georgia programs must seek eligibility for GACE testing from their program provider. Approval from the program provider is necessary for testing eligibility.

Program providers manage eligibility through the Traditional Program Management System (TPMS) at www.gapsc.org. The eligibility process ensures candidates are adequately prepared before testing, informing programs about areas needing additional support.

Upon acceptance into TPMS, candidates are notified to create a MyPSC account. Candidates must request and obtain eligibility from their program providers before registering for the GACE assessment.

Eligibility Options on MyPSC:

Candidates must select the appropriate eligibility option on MyPSC:

  • Traditional Program: “I am enrolled in or have completed a Georgia-approved program.”
  • Post-Baccalaureate, Certification-Only, or M.A.T Programs: “I am taking a content assessment to gain employment eligibility.”

Caution for GaTAPP Candidates: GaTAPP candidates should not request eligibility; providers grant it at the appropriate time.

For more details, candidates should visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE).

Background Checks

Each applicant needs to acquire a clearance certificate prior to applying for school counselor certification.

Requirements for the Clearance Certificate:

  • Fingerprint and Criminal Background Check: Individuals must satisfactorily complete fingerprint and criminal background check requirements.
  • No Convictions: The applicant should have no convictions of felonies, crimes involving moral turpitude, offenses related to controlled substances or marijuana, sexual offenses, or a certificate/license currently revoked or suspended.
  • Ethics Assessment: If certification is exempted according to a charter, the individual must complete the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment.
  • Employer Request: The employing Georgia LUA must request the Clearance Certificate.

For more information regarding the clearance certificate, please visit the following Georgia administrative code specifying the rules for satisfying the clearance certificate requirements.

Validity and Fees:

  • Validity: The Clearance Certificate is valid for five years.
  • Renewal Validity: If an individual holds another unexpired certificate, the Clearance Certificate is valid for the remaining period of the existing certificate.
  • Associated Fees: It is advisable to check with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) or the LUA for applicable fees.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit a complete application through the MyPSC account (see application instructions). The application package is considered complete when all required documents and fees are received.

The GaPSC Initial Certification Application is completed electronically through the “Applications” tab on the GaPSC website. Required materials include official transcripts, verification of lawful presence affidavit, acceptable ID copy, GACE content assessment scores, and a $20 certification transaction processing fee.

  • Online Submission: Completed applications, including all materials, are submitted online through the MyPSC portal. This registration guide will assist you in registering for an account and submitting application documents.
  • Mailed Submission: If you prefer to submit by mail, the necessary forms can be downloaded from here. Mailed applications should be addressed to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission at 200 Piedmont Avenue SE, Suite 1702, West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334-9032, together with supporting paperwork and fee payment.
  • Fees: A $20 certification transaction processing fee is required for all certification applications. The fee is payable online through the application portal using a credit or debit card. If you prefer to mail the payment, a cashiers check or money order payable to the State of Georgia should be sent to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission at the provided address.

Contacts for Assistance: For assistance with the Georgia School Counselor certification application, contact the Professional Standards Commission at 404-232-2500. For calls outside of Metro Atlanta, dial 800-869-7775. The Certification Call Center is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, except on holidays. Email inquiries can be sent to mail@gapsc.com.

Note:

  • Incomplete applications are usually held for 45 days, and if not completed within that time, the case is closed.
  • Once the complete application is received, it is processed in the order it was received.
  • Correspondence and notifications related to the application process are available through the MyPSC account.

Provisional School Counselor Certification

The Provisional Certificate in School Counseling is typically designed for individuals who lack an educator certificate but meet specific criteria. Eligible candidates include those with a master’s degree or higher from an institution accepted by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) in any counseling area, individuals holding a Master of Social Work degree, or those possessing a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division or the Office of the Secretary of State.

Initially issued for one year, the Provisional Certificate’s validity hinges on enrollment verification in a GaPSC-accepted educator preparation program leading to school counseling certification. Upon program enrollment, the certificate can be extended for an additional two years.

This rule outlines the requirements and procedures for issuance of a Provisional Certificate, allowing individuals to teach for up to three years while completing professional certification requirements.

Requirements

To meet the requirements for the Provisional Certificate, candidates must fulfill specific criteria, including:

  • Educational Qualifications – Possess a master’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted institution in any counseling area, a Master of Social Work degree, or a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license.
  • Assessment Requirement – Successfully pass the GACE School Counseling assessment.
  • Employment – Be employed by a Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA).
  • Standards of Conduct – Adhere to the Standards of Conduct outlined by GaPSC.

Application Process

The application process involves the following steps:

  • Certificate Request – The employing Georgia school district must request the Provisional Certificate for the individual, following the procedures in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 certification application, MyPSC, and test eligibility procedures.
  • Verification of Enrollment – The Provisional Certificate is initially issued for one year, pending verification of enrollment in a GaPSC-accepted educator preparation program leading to certification in the individual’s field.
  • Extension – Upon enrollment in a GaPSC-accepted program, the certificate will be extended for two additional years.

Conversion Process and Requirements

For conversion from the Provisional Certificate to the Professional Certificate, individuals must meet additional requirements. This includes completing a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master’s degree level or higher, submitting a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential, or submitting a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselor’s license. Additionally, fulfilling Special Georgia Requirements, such as achieving a grade of B or better in the Special Education requirement, is necessary for the conversion.

It’s essential to keep in mind that the Provisional Certificate is not renewable. However, it serves as a catalyst propelling individuals toward the Professional Certificate.

Non-renewable Professional School Counselor Certification

A Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA) – refers to schools and state agencies – can issue non-renewable professional certificates in the field of School Counseling. These certificates can be issued to individuals with a renewable professional certificate at the bachelor’s degree level or higher, and those with a master’s or higher degree in any counseling area. Additionally, one-year non-renewable professional certificates can be issued to those who hold an expired Georgia Clear Renewable or Standard Professional School Counseling Certificate.

The Non-renewable Professional Certificate allows individuals to become employed under certain conditions while completing certification requirements. It can be issued at the request of an employing local unit of administration (LUA) to individuals in various scenarios, including one-year non-renewable, completers of a GaPSC-approved service field or leadership program, out-of-state educators applying by reciprocity, and those assigned to work in a leadership position while completing a GaPSC-approved Tier I or Tier II certification program in Educational Leadership.

Specific requirements that must be completed to convert the Non-renewable Professional certificate to renewable professional status will be printed on the certificate and outlined in the correspondence accompanying the certificate. Non-renewable professional certificates may not be renewed or extended, and individuals who have previously held a Non-renewable certificate but did not utilize it for one or more full academic years may be eligible for an extension upon the request of a Georgia employing Local Unit of Administration.

Eligibility for Non-renewable Certificates:

  • Issued to those with a renewable bachelor’s degree-level certificate or higher in School Counseling.
  • Also granted to individuals with a master’s or higher degree in any counseling area.
  • One-year certificates available for holders of expired Georgia Clear Renewable or Standard Professional School Counseling Certificates.

Specific requirements for conversion to renewable professional status will be provided on the certificate and accompanying correspondence. Non-renewable professional certificates may not be renewed or extended.