Rule 505-2-.03 - Pre-Service Teaching Certificate(1)Summary. The Pre-Service teaching certificate is part of Georgia's tiered teacher certification system and provides a statewide structure to organize procedures related to pre-service teachers once admitted to certain state-approved educator preparation programs. Such procedures are designed to: (a) Assure the safety of school children.(b) Provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to practice/demonstrate knowledge and skills.(c) Standardize the criminal background check process across the state for pre-service teachers, eliminating those who are not eligible or suited to the profession.(d) Assist pre-service educators in understanding the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators and hold them accountable under the Code.(e) Require attainment of the Pre-Service certificate for anyone participating in field experiences and student teaching in Georgia schools (to include candidates in Georgia and out-of-state educator preparation programs). (2)Requirements. To qualify for the Pre-Service certificate, an applicant must: (a) Be admitted to an educator preparation program in the state of Georgia, any other U.S. state or online, which meets the following requirements: 1. Leads to a Five (5)-Year Induction certificate in a teaching field.2. Requires participation in field experiences or clinical practice including student teaching, residency work or any other program requirements in Georgia schools.(b) Pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment, with the following exception: 1. Candidates who have been continuously enrolled in the same educator preparation program since July 1, 2014 or earlier are exempt from this requirement. Note: the term "enrolled" is defined as admitted to a program and actively taking coursework.2. The GACE Educator Ethics - Program Entry will continue to be accepted for individuals who previously completed the assessment for program admission. For those individuals, the GACE Educator Ethics Assessment (previously titled GACE Educator Ethics - Program Exit) must be passed for conversion of the Pre-Service certificate.(c) Have a successful Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) criminal record check.(d) Must be requested by the candidate following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 Certification Application, MyPSC and Test Eligibility Procedures.(e) Not hold a valid Georgia certificate or Permit in a teaching field, or an expired Georgia renewable professional certificate in a teaching field.(3)Validity. The Pre-Service certificate is valid for five (5) years, with the following exceptions: (a) Invalidated upon program completion.(b) Invalidated if an individual withdraws, transfers or is removed from a program. 1. Previously enrolled candidates who withdraw, transfer or are removed from an educator preparation program and are subsequently readmitted to the program or admitted to a different educator preparation program are eligible for the Pre-Service certificate. (i) Under these circumstances the five (5)-year validity period begins again upon readmission and issuance of the new certificate. Requirements in (2) above, must be met after readmission to the educator preparation program in order to reissue the Pre-Service certificate.(c) May be extended at the request of the EPP.(4)In-Field Statement. Pre-Service certificate holders are in-field to participate in supervised field experience, clinical practice, student teaching, or residency work consistent with the grade levels of certification sought. Individuals holding valid Georgia certificates or Permits in teaching fields are also in-field to participate in these activities. These experiences provide certificate holders with an intensive and extensive culminating activity. Certificate holders are immersed in the learning community and provided opportunities to develop and demonstrate competence in the professional roles for which they are preparing. Holding a Pre-Service certificate, even upon successful completion of an educator preparation program, does not automatically result in movement to the Induction tier in the tiered certification system.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 505-2-.03
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-200.
Original Rule entitled "Suspension, Revocation, Denial or Recall of Certificates" adopted. F. Dec. 18, 1991; eff. Jan. 7, 1992.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Suspension, Revocation, Denial, Recall and/or Reprimand" adopted. F. Dec. 16, 1992; eff. July 1, 1993, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Dec. 10, 1996; eff. Jan. 1, 1997, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. June 5, 1998; eff. July 1, 1998, as specified by the Agency.Amended: Rule retitled "The Code of Ethics for Educators". F. June 8, 1999; eff. July 1, 1999, as specified by the Agency.Repealed: Rule Reserved F. July 10, 2000; eff. August 1, 2000, as specified by the Agency.Amended: New Rule entitled "Clear Renewable Certificate" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2004; eff. Mar. 15, 2004, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Oct. 22, 2004; eff. Nov. 15, 2004, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Aug. 15, 2008; eff. Sept. 15, 2008, as specified by the Agency.Repealed: F. Jun. 11, 2014; eff. July 1, 2014, as specified by the Agency.Adopted: New Rule entitled "Pre-Service Teaching Certificate." F. June 12, 2015; eff. July 1, 2015, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Dec. 21, 2015; eff. Jan. 15, 2016, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. June 11, 2020; eff. July 1, 2020, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. June 22, 2022; eff. July 1, 2022, as specified by the Agency.