How to Renew Your Teaching Certificate in Georgia (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Georgia teaching certificate is more straightforward than in many states — especially if you're currently employed in a Georgia school. But the rules changed in July 2025, and the new PLU (Professional Learning Unit) system can be confusing if you haven't renewed since the update. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about renewing your Georgia Professional Certificate in 2026.

The Basics: Georgia Teaching Certificate Renewal at a Glance

Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
Requirement: 10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) — effective July 1, 2025
Governing body: Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)
Where to renew: MyPSC portal at mypsc.gapsc.org
Renewal fee: $0 (no fee)
Official source: gadoe.org

Your certificate expiration date is listed on your credential. If you're not sure when yours expires, log in to the MyPSC portal to check.

Understanding the PLU Requirement

As of July 1, 2025, Georgia requires 10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) per 5-year renewal cycle. This replaced the previous system of credit hours, and it's designed to be simpler and more flexible.

But here's the most important thing to know: if you're currently employed in a Georgia school, you may already be meeting this requirement without doing anything extra.

Currently Employed Educators

If you are employed in a Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA — that's a school district or charter school), you satisfy the renewal requirement simply by participating in your LUA's professional learning community during the school year your certificate expires. Your district's professional development activities count as your PLUs.

That means your regular district PD days, in-service training, and professional learning community work are all you need. Your district will verify your participation as part of the renewal process.

Educators NOT Currently Employed in Georgia

If you're not working in a Georgia school — maybe you're on a career break, teaching out of state, or working in a private school — you must independently complete one of the following:

10 Professional Learning Units (PLUs)
6 semester hours of college coursework
10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Other GaPSC-approved options

What Counts as a PLU in Georgia?

Georgia accepts professional learning from a variety of approved sources:

Georgia Professional Learning Units (PLUs) from a State of Georgia education agency
PLUs from a Regional Educational Services Agency (RESA)
PLUs from a Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA) or GaPSC-approved college or university
Semester hours of college coursework (6 semester hours = 10 PLUs)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from approved providers (10 CEUs = 10 PLUs)

Conversion Rates

If you're earning credits instead of PLUs directly, here's how the math works:

Credit Type	Amount Needed	Equals
Professional Learning Units (PLUs)	10	Full renewal requirement
Semester hours (college coursework)	6	10 PLUs
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)	10	10 PLUs

The Renewal Window

Georgia has a specific renewal window. You can renew your certificate from December 1 of the year before your certificate expires through June 30 of the expiration year.

For example, if your certificate expires in 2026, your renewal window is December 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Don't try to renew before December 1 — the system won't let you. And don't wait past June 30 — that's when your certificate becomes inactive.

Pro tip: Set a reminder for December 1 so you can start the process as soon as the window opens. This gives you a full seven months to complete your renewal without stress.

The Criminal Background Check Requirement

One thing that surprises some Georgia teachers: a criminal record check is required at every renewal. This isn't just for initial certification — GaPSC requires it each time you renew.

Make sure you factor in the time it takes to complete the background check when planning your renewal timeline. Processing times can vary, and you don't want a delayed background check to hold up your renewal.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The MyPSC Portal

Georgia uses the MyPSC portal for all certification actions. Here's the step-by-step process:

Log in to MyPSC at mypsc.gapsc.org using your GaPSC credentials
Check your certificate status and expiration date. Confirm what certificates you hold and when they expire.
Verify your PLU/credit completion. If you're employed by a Georgia LUA, your district should have verified your professional learning participation. If you completed credits independently, make sure they're on record.
Complete the criminal background check. Follow the instructions in MyPSC for initiating the required background check.
Submit your renewal application. Complete the online application form in MyPSC.
No fee required. Georgia does not charge a renewal fee.
Receive your renewed certificate. Processing times vary. Check MyPSC for status updates.

What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Deadline?

If you don't renew by June 30 of your expiration year, your certificate becomes inactive. An inactive certificate means:

You cannot legally teach in a Georgia public school
Your employer will be notified
You'll need to go through a reinstatement process to reactivate your certificate

Reinstatement requirements can be more demanding than standard renewal, so it's much easier to renew on time. If you know you're going to miss the deadline, contact GaPSC before your certificate expires to discuss your options.

Special Situations

Leadership Certificate

If you hold a Georgia Leadership Certificate (for principals, assistant principals, and other administrators), the renewal requirements are similar: 10 PLUs per 5-year cycle. You must also hold or be working toward a valid teaching certificate. The renewal is submitted through the same MyPSC portal, and a criminal background check is required.

Multiple Certificates

If you hold both a Professional Certificate and a Leadership Certificate, you'll need to renew each one. However, PLUs earned can often count toward both renewals — check with GaPSC for specifics about your situation.

Out-of-State Educators

If you earned your teaching credentials in another state and hold a Georgia certificate, the same renewal rules apply. You need 10 PLUs (or equivalent) and must complete the criminal background check. If you're not employed in a Georgia school, you'll need to earn your credits independently through approved providers.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Certificate renewal	$0
Leadership Certificate renewal	$0
Criminal background check	Varies (paid to background check vendor)

Your Renewal Checklist

Log in to MyPSC at mypsc.gapsc.org and check your certificate expiration date
Set a calendar reminder for December 1 of the year before your certificate expires
If employed in a Georgia LUA: confirm with your district that your professional learning participation will be verified
If not employed in Georgia: complete 10 PLUs, 6 semester hours, or 10 CEUs independently
Complete the required criminal background check
Submit your renewal application through MyPSC during the renewal window (December 1 through June 30)
Save your confirmation and check MyPSC for your updated certificate

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Georgia's renewal system is one of the more teacher-friendly ones out there — no fee, and employed educators satisfy the requirement through normal district PD. But the criminal background check and the specific renewal window (December 1 through June 30) can catch people off guard if they're not prepared.

For a full breakdown of Georgia teacher certificate types, fees, and accepted PD options, visit the ChalkReady Georgia page.