After graduation, teacher candidates who have satisfied the certification requirements will be recommended by the certification official to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) to begin the certification process.
Certification requirements
To be recommended for certification, a candidate must have:
Complete a Mercer University educator preparation program.
See the instructions below to learn how to apply for initial certification, how to add an additional field to your certification, and how to upgrade your certification.
If you have never held a teaching certificate through the GaPSC, follow the instructions below.
Go to www.gapsc.com, log in to your account, and complete the GaPSC Personal Affirmation questions.
Complete the Former Student Transcript Request form so that the Registrar’s Office can send your official Mercer University transcript to the GaPSC office electronically. The fee for this transcript request is $3.00.
GaPSC mailing address: Georgia Professional Standards Commission Office
Attn: Certification Division
200 Piedmont Ave., SE, Ste. 1702
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9032
If you have attended another college or university, you will need to have all of your official transcript(s) sent to the GaPSC office using the address above.
If you are employed by a Georgia public or private school system and require an upgrade to your existing certificate, or seek to add a new field or endorsement, follow the instructions below.
Go to www.gapsc.com, log in to your account, and complete the GaPSC Personal Affirmation questions.
Complete the Former Student Transcript Request form so that the Registrar’s Office can send your official Mercer University Transcript to the GaPSC office electronically. The fee for this transcript request is $3.00.
GaPSC mailing address:
Georgia Professional Standards Commission Office
Attn: Certification Division
200 Piedmont Ave. SE, Ste. 1702
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9032
Complete section one of the GaPSC: Employer Assurance form and scan/email it to your Human Resources office. They will complete the rest of the form and send it to the GaPSC office electronically.
Print and complete the GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence form. The affidavit form must be notarized by a notary public. You will need to upload the GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence form, affidavit, and copy of your driver’s license when you submit your initial certification application at www.gapsc.com.
If you are not employed by a Georgia public or private school system and require an upgrade to your existing certificate, or seek to add a new field or endorsement, follow the instructions below:
Go to www.gapsc.com, log in to your account and complete the GaPSC Personal Affirmation questions.
Complete the Former Student Transcript Request form so that the Registrar’s Office can send your official Mercer University transcript to the GaPSC office electronically. The fee for this transcript request is $3.00.
GaPSC mailing address:
Georgia Professional Standards Commission Office
Attn: Certification Division
200 Piedmont Ave. SE, Ste. 1702
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9032
Print and complete the GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence form. The affidavit form must be notarized by a notary public. You will need to upload the GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence form, affidavit, and copy of your driver’s license when you submit your initial certification application at www.gapsc.com.
If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Carlene Sherman, Certification Official, at 478.301.2575 or sherman_cs@mercer.edu.