Rule 505-2-.144 - School Counseling(1)Summary: This rule outlines the requirements and procedures for issuance of the service certificate in School Counseling P-12, which allows individuals certified in this field to assist students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring that a comprehensive counseling program is in place to promote student achievement.(2)Professional Certificate Requirements (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.05 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE; current Georgia Educators see section (6)(a) below to add the field). (a) Issuance. 1. Prior to becoming a Georgia educator, an individual is eligible for a Standard Professional certificate in the field of School Counseling based on meeting the following requirements: (i) Meet one of the following options: (I) Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master's degree level - level five (5) - or higher.(II) 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.(III) 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, O.C.G.A. Title 43.(ii) Meet the Special Georgia Requirements (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.24 SPECIAL GEORGIA REQUIREMENTS) applicable to the field of School Counseling. (I) Pass the GACE content knowledge assessment.(II) Satisfy the Special Education requirement with a grade of B or better.(III) Meet Standards of Conduct.(iii) Apply for certification following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION APPLICATION, MyPSC AND TEST ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURES.(3)Provisional Certificate Requirements (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.08 PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE; current Georgia Educators see section (4)(a) below for Non-Renewable Certification).(a) Issuance. 1. Hold a master's degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution in any counseling area; or a Master of Social Work degree; or a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, O.C.G.A. Title 43.2. Pass the GACE content knowledge assessment.3. Meet Standards of Conduct.4. Have the certificate requested by the employing Georgia local unit of administration following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION APPLICATION, MyPSC AND TEST ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURES.(b) The Provisional certificate will be issued for one (1)-year pending verification of enrollment in a GaPSC-accepted educator preparation program leading to certification in the field held by the individual. Once enrolled in a GaPSC-accepted program, the certificate will be extended for two additional years (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.08 PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE).(c) Conversion. 1. Meet one of the following options: (i) Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master's degree level - level five (5) - or higher.(ii) 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.(iii) 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, O.C.G.A. Title 43.2. Meet the following Special Georgia Requirements:(i) Satisfy the Special Education requirement with a grade of B or better.(ii) Meet Standards of Conduct.3. Apply for certification following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION APPLICATION, MyPSC AND TEST ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURES.(4)Non-Renewable Professional Requirements (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.09 NON-RENEWABLE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE).(a) Non-Renewable Professional certificates in the field of School Counseling may be issued at the request of an employing Georgia local unit of administration (LUA) in the following scenarios:1. Three (3)-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in the field of School Counseling may be issued to an individual who holds a renewable professional certificate in any field at the bachelor's degree level - level four (4) - or higher, and has completed a master's or higher degree in any counseling area.2. A One (1)-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in the field of School Counseling may be issued to an individual who holds an expired Georgia Clear Renewable or Standard Professional School Counseling Certificate but has not met renewal requirements outlined in section (8)(a) below.(5)Additional Certificate Title Issued in the Field.(a) Retired Educator (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.44 RETIRED EDUCATOR CERTIFICATE).(6)To Add the Field (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.34 ADD A FIELD). (a) To add School Counseling to an existing Professional certificate in any field an individual must complete the following:1. GaPSC-approved certification program or a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program in School Counseling. Georgia Educators who complete out-of-state programs not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) will not be eligible for Georgia certification in School Counseling unless enrolled in the program prior to April 15, 2017.2. Pass the GACE content knowledge assessment.3. Satisfy the Special Education requirement with a grade of B or better.4. Apply for certification following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION APPLICATION, MyPSC AND TEST ELIGIBILITY PROCEDURES.(7)To Upgrade the Level (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.33 CERTIFICATE UPGRADE).(8)Renewal Requirements (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.36 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS). (a) To renew a Professional School Counseling certificate, an individual must meet one of the following options: 1. Complete renewal requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.36 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS).2. Submission of a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors.3. 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, O.C.G.A. Title 43.(9)In-Field Statement (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.40 IN-FIELD ASSIGNMENT). (a) Individuals certified in School Counseling are in-field to serve as a School Counselor in grades P-12.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 505-2-.144
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-200.
Original Rule entitled "Service Endorsements" adopted. F. Dec. 18, 1991; eff. Jan. 7, 1992.Repealed: F. Dec. 16, 1992; eff. July 1, 1993, as specified by the Agency.Adopted: New Rule entitled "School Counseling." F. June 11, 2014; eff. July 1, 2014, as specified by the AgencyAmended: F. Mar. 25, 2015; eff. Apr. 15, 2015, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. May 25, 2016; eff. June 15, 2016, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Mar. 27, 2017; eff. Apr. 15, 2017, as specified by the Agency.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 13, 2019; eff. Jan. 1, 2020, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. June 10, 2022; eff. July 1, 2022, as specified by the Agency.