How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Georgia
Special education teacher salary is often the first question new candidates ask, and Georgia’s numbers are worth knowing upfront: the state projects around 210 special education job openings annually through 2032, a sign of steady, long-term demand.
To become certified, candidates need a bachelor’s degree in special education, completion of a state-approved Educator Preparation Program, and passing scores on the GACE Special Education content assessment along with the GACE Ethics for Teachers exam. Candidates apply for certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). New teachers typically receive a three-year Induction Certificate, then move to the renewable five-year Professional Certificate once they’ve completed three years of successful experience and any outstanding Special Georgia Requirements.
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Continuing Education & License Renewal in Georgia
Georgia’s Professional Certificate renews every five years, most commonly through an individualized Professional Learning Plan developed with your local unit of administration supervisor. Teachers not employed at a Georgia LUA can instead renew by completing six semester hours, 10 professional learning units, or 10 continuing education units. A Georgia criminal history check is also required at each five-year renewal.
Georgia doesn’t operate a state-level approval list for outside providers, so submitting NASET course completion certificates directly to your LUA supervisor, aligned to your Professional Learning Plan, is the clearest path to renewal credit.
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Special Education Teacher Salary in Georgia
The earning potential for Georgia special education teachers varies by experience, location, and credentials:
- Average salary: $58,000–$77,000 per year (BLS-cited)
- Entry-level (0–3 years): around $50,000
- Experienced (8+ years): up to $98,000
- Key factors: metro Atlanta vs. rural districts, advanced credentials, district funding
Districts like Fulton, Gwinnett, and Atlanta Public Schools consistently pay above the state average, and pursuing board certification remains one of the more reliable ways to strengthen your case for career advancement.
IEPs in Georgia
Georgia’s IEP rate sits at 10.6% of students, below the national average of 13%, yet the U.S. Department of Education has rated the state’s ability to meet this population’s needs as “Needs Intervention,” one of its lowest rankings. That gap between a comparatively low identification rate and a low performance rating makes precise, well-supported IEP writing especially important for Georgia teachers. The GaDOE Division for Special Education Services and Supports oversees compliance statewide, and reviewing strong IEP models alongside assessment in special education practices can help teachers write IEPs that hold up to review.
Become a NASET Member today for full access to our IEP toolkit, sample IEPs, and progress-monitoring resources!
Key Resources for Georgia Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
GaCEC’s Annual Conference draws special educators from across the state for hands-on strategies and networking, and it’s a strong complement to the flexibility of NASET’s on-demand courses.
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Advance Your Career With NASET
Wherever you are in your Georgia special education career, NASET offers structured ways to keep growing. The Membership gives you year-round access to courses, downloadable classroom tools, and a community of practitioners navigating the same certification and renewal requirements you are.
For those ready to formalize their expertise, The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) credential signals advanced mastery to administrators and districts alike, and it’s a meaningful differentiator when negotiating career advancement or pursuing leadership roles in competitive metro Atlanta districts.
Both paths lead back to the same goal: helping Georgia’s students with disabilities get the individualized support they’re entitled to, from educators equipped to provide it.
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