GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Requirement

KSU’s Bagwell College of Education requires that candidates admitted to a teacher education program be issued a Pre-Service Certificate by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). The Pre-Service Certificate assures Birth-12 schools that the candidate has a state background check prior to working with minors. Failure to obtain a Pre-Service Certificate will prevent candidates from enrolling in any required course that includes a field and/or clinical requirement. You must maintain an active Pre-Service Certificate from admission to graduation. 

To be eligible for this certificate, candidates MUST

  • Pass the GaPSC GACE Educator Ethics for Teachers
  • Be admitted to an educator preparation program leading to initial certification
  • “Claim Preparation Program” through the candidate’s MyPSC Dashboard
  • Complete the Personal Affirmations through the candidate’s MyPSC Dashboard
  • Apply for the Pre-Service Certificate through the candidate’s MyPSC Dashboard
  • Upload a notorized copy of the GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence Affidavit
  • Note: Candidates must pass a background check as part of the Pre-Service Certificate application process. The GaPSC will NOT award a Pre-Service Certificate to anyone who is currently on probation, regardless of the crime. The GaPSC requires a copy of the Final Disposition, signed by a judge, to consider the issuance of a Pre-Service Certificate.
student in class

An active Pre-Service Certificate is required to participate in field and/or clinical experiences beyond Field of Study courses. The application process for this certificate can take several weeks. Candidates who enroll in classes with field/clinical experience, and do not have a Pre-Service Certificate, will need to withdraw and/or be administratively removed from those courses prior to the university deadline to withdraw without academic penalty. It is, therefore, imperative that candidates follow the instructions provided by the Bagwell College of Education.

    • The PSC Code of Ethics requires candidates to self-report the commission or conviction of a crime to the PSC within 90 days of the incident. See Code of Ethics: https://www.gapsc.com/rules/current/ethics/505-6-.01.pdf.
    • KSU Teacher Education programs are also required by PSC Rule 505-3-.01 (https://www.gapsc.com/Rules/Current/EducatorPreparation/505-3-.01.pdf) to “immediately report to PSC any violations of the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators by enrolled candidates (p. 18).” Candidates must also self-report to the Bagwell Certification Officer at bcoe_certification@kennesaw.edu.  The Pre-Service Certificate may be revoked if a candidate violates the Georgia Code of Ethics, and, if revoked, the candidate will be removed from Teacher Education.

NOTE: Candidates MUST have a current Pre-Service Certificate prior to ANY field and/or clinical experience required for their coursework in Teacher Education. Failure to do so may result in a delay in graduation. Candidates on a provisional teaching certificate must contact the Bagwell Certification Officer at bcoe_certification@kennesaw.edu. 

Email