Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1)
Summary: On January 8, 2002,
federal legislation known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
established mandatory federal guidelines for the hiring of paraprofessionals in
specified school settings. These guidelines are found in Section 1119 of the
federal legislation, with each local unit of administration (LUA) is
responsible for ensuring that all applicable federal requirements are met.
While the federal hiring requirements apply only to designated paraprofessional
positions, all Georgia Paraprofessionals must hold a valid state license issued
by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
(2)
Requirements.
(a) Meet one of the following requirements:
1. Hold an associate's degree or higher in
any subject from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.
2. Have completed two (2) years of college
coursework (sixty [60] semester hours) above the remedial level with a grade of
"C" or better at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.
3. Have passed the GACE Paraprofessional
Assessment and hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
equivalent.
(b) Meet
Standards of Conduct.
(c) The
issuance of the license must be requested by the employing Georgia local unit
of administration following procedures outlined in GaPSC Rule
505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION AND
APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
(d)
Employing LUAs are responsible for ensuring that all applicable federal ESEA
hiring requirements are met.
(3)
Non-Renewable License
Requirements.
(a) One-year
Non-Renewable License (Issued to individuals who have not completed renewal
requirements).
1. Issuance.
(i) Hold an expired Paraprofessional
license.
(ii) Have the license
requested by the employing Georgia local unit of administration following
procedures outlined in Rule
505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION AND
APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
2. Conversion.
(i) Verify completion of requirements
outlined in the renewal rule. (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.36 RENEWAL
REQUIREMENTS).
(ii) Have the
license conversion requested by the employing Georgia local unit of
administration following procedures outlined in Rule
505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION AND
APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
(4)
Renewal.
(a) To renew the license the individual must:
1. Be employed as a paraprofessional in a
Georgia LUA.
2. Satisfy renewal
requirements as outlined in GaPSC Rule
505-2-.36 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS.
(i) Individuals holding expired
paraprofessional licenses issued prior to the implementation of the
requirements outlined in section (2), above, must meet those requirements in
addition to renewal requirements.
(5)
Validity.
(a) The Paraprofessional license is valid for
five (5) years.
(b) Should a
paraprofessional change employing LUA, it is not necessary to request a new
license until the expiration of the validity period.
(6)
In-Field Statement.
Paraprofessional licenses are not issued with specific field designations.
Individuals with a Paraprofessional license, as well as individuals who hold a
valid renewable professional certificate in any teaching, service, or
leadership field, are in-field to perform assigned paraprofessional
responsibilities in grades P-12. Individuals holding professional certification
will not be issued Paraprofessional licensure.
O.C.G.A. §
20-2-200.
