The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, also known as GaPSC, was established in the 1990s to streamline the certification process for educators, enhance the quality of educator training, ensure ethical practices among educators, attract skilled individuals to the educational sector, and support the recruitment of competent educators.

The commission, which includes educators and community advocates, is appointed by the Governor from various parts of Georgia. It consists of 18 members and is managed by a small team committed to the commission's mission and the betterment of the education sector in Georgia.

With Georgia experiencing a population growth rate significantly higher than the national average, the public school system faces the challenge of hiring between 14,000 and 15,000 new educators annually to accommodate this growth and to replace educators leaving the profession. Ensuring every region in Georgia has access to a sufficient number of qualified educators is also one of their top priorities.

A Professional Learning Unit (PLU) is a credit unit assigned for every 10 hours of structured learning or an equivalent preparation period. It further requires proof that the learning objectives have been applied in a work setting (on-the-job performance phase) or that proficiency has been demonstrated during the preparatory stage.

A single PLU activity must involve at least 10 hours of total engagement time. If an educational occasion merits additional PLUs, they must be allocated in blocks of 10 hours for each extra unit. It is not acceptable to distribute PLUs in partial or fractional amounts, although you can apply multiple learning experiences to 1 PLU. The limit for instructional time is set at eight hours per day, with no more than four PLUs being attainable within any given week.

To renew your teaching certificate, you may use any of the following: 6 semester hours from college courses, 10 Georgia Professional Learning Units (PLUs), or 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

According to the GaPSC, “Professional Standards Rule 505-2-.13 Standard Renewal Requirements gives reference to acceptable resident college credit, Georgia staff development credit specifically approved for certification renewal in Georgia and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) issued by a provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).”