Certification Information
All Worth County School District teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and service personnel are required to hold an appropriate certificate for the field, subject, grade level, and/or assignment they are in. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) establishes regulations and procedures to evaluate the credentials of prospective teachers, as well as other professional employees in the schools, to ensure they meet preparation standards and requirements.
Ms. Felecia Cook, Federal Programs Director, is the certification official for WCSD and provides customer support with the processing of certification documents for new and current employees. All certification renewals and conversions of certificates are also handled by Ms. Cook.
Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs)
All certified educators are asked to login to their MyPSC account at the beginning of each school year to answer the Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs). Submitted answers are valid from July 1 through June 30 of each school year. PAQs must be answered and submitted each new school year.
Certificate Renewal for Current Worth County School District Employees
Employees will receive email notification when the certificate renewal process begins. Detailed information will be provided. If your certificate will expire on June 30th of the current school year, make sure you answer the Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs) after July 1st of the new school year.
Paraprofessional Certification Information
All Georgia paraprofessionals must hold a valid state license issued by the Professional Standards Commission. Paraprofessional applications will be issued to new hires by the Worth County Central Office when appropriate.
Applicants for paraprofessional must:
Have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE); AND
Hold an associate degree or higher with at least a 2.0 GPA; OR
Have at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of acceptable college credit with at least a 2.0 GPA; OR
Have passed GACE Paraprofessional Assessment
For information regarding Georgia certification, visit the website of the GaPSC (www.gapsc.com). They can be contacted through email at mail@gapsc.com. They can be reached by phone Mondays and Wednesdays, except for state holidays, at 1-800-869-7775 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Certificate Upgrades
If you are considering returning to school to pursue an advanced degree, please utilize the GaPSC's Upgrade Advisor tool to determine which field(s) you are eligible to receive a certificate upgrade in. Earning a degree in an area that will add a new certificate field will require a passing score on the appropriate GACE assessment. Click here for more information concerning GaPSC certificate upgrade requirements.
With the exception of the Educational Leadership field, educators will receive a salary increase if the GaPSC upgrades your certificate level. Please keep in mind that all GaPSC requirements must be met. Educators earning a certificate upgrade in the area of Educational Leadership must be employed in a leadership position to receive a salary increase. Leadership positions have been defined by the State Board of Education.
Approved Program Providers
Do you need to know if the college/university you are considering is a GaPSC approved program? Click here to find out.
GaPSC Quick Links