Georgia School Counselor Certification

Georgia employs over 5,500 school counselors across the state who provide services to students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. School Counselors believe that integrity, accountability, collaboration, dedication, transparency, and professionalism are the hallmarks of their work with Georgian students and their families.

If you would like to become a school counselor in Georgia, you can do so through an initial certification application, or through interstate reciprocity.

Skip down to find information relevant to your situation:

Initial Georgia School Counselor Certification

There are two kinds of certificates issued to applicants for initial certification in Georgia: Professional Certification and Provisional Certification. Requirements for both types of certification follow.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Standard Professional Certificate

You are eligible for a Standard Professional Certificate in School Counseling if you meet one of the following options:

  • Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master’s degree level or higher – the following is a list of schools offering online school counseling preparation programs:
  • Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors
  • Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselor’s license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State

You must also have completed at least three (3) semesters hours of college credit with a grade of B or higher in special education. Applicants holding a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification satisfy the special education requirement.

Provisional Certificate

You are eligible for a Provisional Certificate in School Counseling if you meet one of the following:

  • Completion of a master’s degree or higher from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)-accepted institution in any counseling area; or
  • Completion of a Master of Social Work degree; or
  • Hold a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division or the Office of the Secretary of State

The Provisional Certificate is issued for one (1) year pending verification of enrollment in a GaPSC-accepted educator preparation program leading to certification in school counseling. Once enrolled in the program, the certificate will be extended for two additional years.

Conversion from the Provisional Certificate to the Professional Certificate will happen when the following requirements are met:

  • Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master’s degree level or higher; or
  • Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors; or
  • Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselor’s license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State

You must also have completed at least three (3) semesters hours of college credit with a grade of B or higher in special education. Applicants holding a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification satisfy the special education requirement.

For more information about the education requirements for applicants to the school counseling certification, visit following GaPSC pdf document.

Step 2: Submit a Criminal Background Check

Upon hiring with a Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA), you qualify for a Clearance Certificate, which verifies that you have successful completed fingerprint and criminal background check requirements and have no convictions disqualifying you from employment.

For more information about the Clearance Certificate, including the process for completion and all necessary requirements, visit the following GaPSC link.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

You must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) content assessment for school counselors. For more information about the exam, and to register for a test, visit the ETS website.

Step 4: Organize Your Application Materials

Complete applications are submitted online and include the following materials:

  • GaPSC Initial Certification Application, located at here.

    The application is also completed electronically through the “Applications” tab on the following GaPSC webpage.

  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degrees. For more information about official transcript requirements, visit this webpage
  • Verification of Lawful Presence affidavit, located here and a copy of an acceptable ID card. For more information about how to complete the VLP affidavit and a list of acceptable ID cards, visit the GaPSC website
  • Proof of scores for the GACE content assessment for school counselors
  • $20 certification transaction processing fee

For a detailed list of all materials that are required for application, visit this webpage.

Step 5: Know the Fees

Certification applications require a $20 processing fee payment, payable through the online application portal. This fee is payable with a credit or debit card here.

If you prefer to mail your payment, you can send a cashier’s check or money order payable to the State of Georgia:

Georgia Professional Standards Commission
200 Piedmont Avenue SE
Suite 1702, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334-9032

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Georgia School Counselor certification is submitted online. To register for an account with the MyPSC portal and to submit application materials, visit the GaPSC website.

If you prefer to submit your application through the mail, you can download necessary forms from here.

Mailed applications, including all supporting documentation and fee payment, should be sent to:

Georgia Professional Standards Commission
200 Piedmont Avenue SE
Suite 1702, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334-9032

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your Georgia School Counselor certification application, please contact the Professional Standards Commission at 404-232-2500. Applicants calling outside of the Metro Atlanta Area can dial 800-869-7775.

The Certification all Center is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, except on holidays.

You can also email a specialist at mail@gapsc.com.

Georgia School Counselor Certification Renewal

The initial Standard Professional certificate for Georgia School Counselor is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue. Requirements for renewal must be met within this time. All renewal requirements must be submitted electronically by the school counselor’s employing Local Unit of Authority (LUA).

Renewal requirements include a criminal record check, professional development activities, and a $20 renewal certification fee. For more information about the certificate renewal process and requirements, visit this webpage.

If you would like to renew your Georgia School Counselor certification, you should contact your LUA representative for assistance. You can also speak with a specialist at the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, by calling 404-232-2500, or toll free at 800-869-7775.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your renewal application, contact your LUA representative, or call 404-232-2500 to speak with a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) specialist. You can also email GPSC at mail@gapsc.com.

Georgia School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

If you are an out-of-state applicant and your current and valid school counselor certificate meets certain requirements, you may be eligible to receive a Georgia certificate based on interstate reciprocity. Your certificate must be issued by another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or the Department of Defense Education Activity. For more information about the requirements for reciprocity, including a listing of commonly accepted out-of-state certificates, visit this webpage.

Please note that you will be required to pass the Georgia school counselor content knowledge assessment unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You have worked full-time as a school counselor for five years
  • You were required to pass a comparable content assessment to receive your current and valid out-of-state certificate
  • You hold a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification in school counseling

For more information about the special requirements for a reciprocity certification application in Georgia, visit this webpage.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional assistance with your application for reciprocity, please contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Metro Atlanta and Long Distance Line
(404) 232-2500

Toll Free Outside the Metro Atlanta Area
(800) 869-7775

The Certification Call Center is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, except for state holidays, between 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Email: mail@gapsc.com

Georgia School Counseling Certification Resources

For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites:

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