Rule 505-2-.14 - Endorsements(1)Summary. In addition to full-field certificates, Georgia educators may be issued endorsements in specific areas to recognize additional expertise. In some areas, the endorsement is required in order to be considered in-field in a designated area, while in other cases the endorsement is not required but simply strengthens and enhances competency levels. At the same time, some endorsements authorize the educator to work in the designated area only at the grade level and subject matter of the base certificate while other endorsements authorize work in all subjects at specific grade levels. Specific information is found in the in-field statement in each endorsement rule.(2)Base Certificate Requirements. Each endorsement rule indicates which type of base certificate field (teaching, service or leadership) must be held to add the endorsement. A few endorsements may be added to more than one (1) certificate type, as specified by the appropriate endorsement rule. Endorsements added to service or leadership certificates are not considered the equivalent of a teaching certificate for purposes of adding a teaching certificate by the test-in option as described in paragraph (1)(a)2 of GaPSC Rule 505-2-.34 ADD A FIELD.(3)Requirements. Endorsements may be initially issued as Standard Professional, Advanced Professional, Lead Professional, Non-Renewable Professional or Induction certificates depending on base certificate title, unless otherwise stated in the appropriate endorsement field rule.(a) To be eligible for a renewable professional endorsement, an individual must: 1. Hold a valid certificate and meet any other requirements outlined in the appropriate endorsement field rule.2. Meet one of the following requirements:(i) Complete a state-approved program in the endorsement field and receive verification of program completion from the approved provider; or(ii) Hold or have held an out-of-state certificate in an endorsement field comparable to an endorsement field offered by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).(b) To be eligible for a three (3)-year Non-Renewable endorsement, an individual must: 1. Hold a valid, renewable professional or Permit certificate and meet any other requirements outlined in the appropriate endorsement field rule.(i) The only Non-Renewable Professional endorsement that may be added to a Permit certificate is the Non-Renewable Professional English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement, which may be added to a valid Permit certificate in any world language field.2. Have the endorsement requested by an employing Georgia local unit of administration (LUA).(c) To be eligible for a three (3)-year Induction endorsement, an individual must:1. Hold a valid Induction certificate and meet any other requirements outlined in the appropriate endorsement field rule; and2. Have the endorsement requested by an employing Georgia LUA.(d) Special Georgia Requirements do not apply to endorsement fields.(4)Validity.(a) The validity period for a renewable professional endorsement is the same as for the base certificate it endorses and will be renewed when the endorsed base certificate is renewed.(b) The validity period for a Non-Renewable Professional endorsement is three (3) years.(c) The validity period for an Induction endorsement is the same as for the base certificate it endorses.(d) Endorsement fields require that the base certificate field be maintained.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 505-2-.14
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-200.
Original Rule entitled "Non-Instructional Aide" adopted. F. Aug. 15, 2008; eff. Sept. 15, 2008, as specified by the Agency.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Endorsements" adopted. F. June 11, 2014; eff. July 1, 2014, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. June 13, 2014; eff. July 3, 2014.Amended: F. Mar. 25, 2015; eff. Apr. 15, 2015, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Mar. 26, 2019; eff. Apr. 15, 2019, 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. Apr. 9, 2024; eff. Apr. 15, 2024, as specified by the Agency.