Georgia Paraprofessional Requirements
A complete guide to paraprofessional qualification in the Peach State. Required assessments, qualifications, career pathways, and salary information.
Georgia Paraprofessional Quick Facts
Required Score
A scaled score of 220 or higher on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349)
Exam and minimum vary by state or district. Verify the current requirement.
Test Duration
2 hours
Total testing time
Test Sections
4
Reading, Writing, and Mathematics
Test Fee
$49
Standard assessment cost
School Districts
180
Regular school districts (NCES, 2021-22)
Background Check
Required
State and federal criminal background check required for employment, arranged by the hiring school system; Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs); GaPSC Paraprofessional license (5-year validity); Must be sponsored by hiring district
Governing Body
Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) - Requires a GaPSC Paraprofessional license
Alternative Qualifications
- Associate's Degree (AA, AS) or higher from GaPSC-accepted accredited institution
- 60 semester hours above the remedial level, each course a grade of C or better
Annual Pay (Middle 50%)
Teaching assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Overview of Paraprofessional Qualifications in Georgia
To comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Georgia requires that all paraprofessionals who provide instructional support in Title I-funded programs meet rigorous standards of qualification.
ESSA Compliance and State Standards
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establishes federal requirements that paraprofessionals working in Title I programs must meet one of three qualification pathways: hold a degree, complete college coursework, or pass a formal assessment.
Georgia's Statewide Paraprofessional License
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) issues the Paraprofessional license, and every instructional paraprofessional in a Georgia public school must hold one, whether or not the school receives Title I funding. Georgia has about 180 regular school districts (NCES, 2021-22). The GaPSC, not the district, issues the license, and your employer requests it for you after hiring you.
Requirements for Paraprofessionals in Georgia
To obtain the mandatory Paraprofessional license from the GaPSC, you need a high school diploma or equivalent AND must meet one of these three academic requirements:
Three Pathways to Qualification
Option 1: Degree
Hold an associate's degree or higher (bachelor's, master's) from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.
- Have your college send an official transcript to the GaPSC; the GaPSC does not accept transcripts sent by you or by your employer
- This is the fastest pathway if you already hold a degree
Option 2: College Credits
Complete two years of college coursework (60 semester hours) above the remedial level, with a grade of C or better in each course.
- Your college must send the official transcript to the GaPSC; the GaPSC does not accept transcripts sent by you or by your employer
- Remedial or developmental courses do not count
Option 3: Assessment
Pass the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349), the assessment Georgia's paraprofessional rule names. Pearson administers it for the GaPSC.
- Passing score: a scaled score of 220 or higher (Pearson GACE test 349 page)
- Test fee: $49 (Pearson GACE website)
- You do not need GaPSC test eligibility to register for this assessment; register directly on the GACE website
Additional Mandatory Requirements for the GaPSC License
- Background Check: Employment in a Georgia public school includes state and federal background checks. Your hiring school system tells you how and where to be fingerprinted.
- Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs): As part of your application, you must answer questions about your legal and ethical history.
- District Sponsorship: You cannot apply for the license on your own. A Georgia public school district or charter school must sponsor your application after offering you a position.
Who Needs a Paraprofessional License in Georgia?
The GaPSC Paraprofessional license is required for any individual employed as an instructional paraprofessional in a Georgia public school, regardless of whether the school receives Title I funding.
Must Hold a GaPSC License
- • Instructional Paraprofessionals: The general title for aides providing academic support in reading, writing, and math
- • Special Education Paraprofessionals: Aides supporting academic and functional goals in a student's IEP
- • ESOL Paraprofessionals: Assistants providing language and academic support to English learners
- • Pre-K Paraprofessionals: Ask the hiring program which credential its Pre-K classrooms require.
May Hold a Different License
- • Non-instructional aides: Staff who do only routine, non-instructional tasks hold a GaPSC Non-Instructional Aide license instead, which the employing school system requests. Ask the hiring district which license a position needs.
The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (Test 349)
The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment is the test Georgia's paraprofessional rule names. Since July 1, 2025 Pearson has delivered it for the GaPSC as test 349: 90 selected-response questions in 2 hours of testing, at a test site in Georgia or online from home. The GaPSC rule says it covers four areas: reading, writing, mathematics and classroom skills. The passing score is a scaled score of 220 or higher. The test 349 page on the GACE website, gace.es.pearson.com, has the current details.
After the Test: The Georgia Licensing Process
Meeting the assessment requirement (or the degree or credit pathway) is the first major step. The next stage is the formal application for your GaPSC Paraprofessional license, which your hiring school district requests for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your GaPSC License
- Step 1: Meet the assessment requirement (or confirm your credits/degree). If you are using the college pathway, have your college send an official transcript to the GaPSC.
- Step 2: Secure a job offer. You must be hired or have a formal offer of employment from a Georgia public school district or charter school before you can be licensed.
- Step 3: Your employer initiates the license application. The HR department of your hiring district will start the application on your behalf through the GaPSC portal. They are your official "sponsor."
- Step 4: Complete your portion of the application. Log into your MyPSC account to fill out personal information and answer the Personal Affirmation Questions (PAQs).
- Step 5: Complete the fingerprinting/background check. Your hiring school system tells you how and where to be fingerprinted.
- Step 6: GaPSC review and license issuance. Once approved, your five-year Paraprofessional license will be issued and visible in your MyPSC account.
If You Need to Retake the Assessment
- Step 1: Check the retake rules. Look up the retake rules for the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment on the GACE website (gace.es.pearson.com) before you register again; this page does not state a waiting period.
- Step 2: Build a targeted study plan. Focus on the areas the test covers: reading, writing, mathematics and classroom skills.
- Step 3: Register for your retake on the GACE website when you are ready. The fee listed for test 349 is $49.
Preparing for Georgia's Paraprofessional Assessment
How long you need to study depends on your current comfort level with reading, writing, and math. The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment covers reading, writing, mathematics and classroom skills, so use materials that match it, and prepare well so you pass the first time.
Recommended Study Timelines
Quick Refresher
Best if you have recent college coursework or feel strong in reading, writing, and math. Focus on a practice test to confirm your readiness, then review any weak spots.
Solid Preparation
The right pace for most people. Work through study materials that match the test, take a practice test to check your readiness, and revisit topics you are rusty on without feeling rushed.
In-Depth Review
If math or writing feels unfamiliar, or if you have been out of school for a while, take the extra time. There is no downside to being well-prepared, and the confidence boost helps on test day.
Free Study Resources
- Official GACE information: Start with the test maker's own page for test 349 on the GACE website, gace.es.pearson.com.
- Khan Academy: Great for brushing up on math fundamentals, from basic arithmetic through algebra and geometry. It is free and self-paced.
- Georgia Public Library PINES system: Your Georgia library card may give you access to digital test-prep databases. Check your local library's digital resources page, and make sure any practice test you use covers the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment.
- Online practice tests: Several test-prep sites offer free paraprofessional practice questions. Make sure they cover the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment: reading, writing, mathematics and classroom skills.
Paid Study Options
You do not need to spend money to pass, but some people prefer more structure. Here are some paid options:
- Paraprofessional test-prep books: Available on Amazon or at your local bookstore. Make sure they cover the current GACE Paraprofessional Assessment, which Pearson has delivered since July 1, 2025.
- Online prep courses: These may include video lessons, quizzes, and practice tests. Helpful if you learn better with guided instruction.
- Video tutorial packages: Some test prep companies sell video bundles focused on specific subjects. These work well if reading-heavy study guides are not your thing.
Georgia-Specific Tip
The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment changed test provider from ETS to Pearson on July 1, 2025, and the ETS ParaPro is retired, so older GACE and ParaPro prep books may not match test 349. Check the test 349 page on the GACE website before you buy anything.
Test Day: What to Expect in Georgia
Knowing what to expect on test day removes a lot of the stress. The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment can be taken at a test site in Georgia or at home with Pearson's online proctoring. Your registration confirmation tells you what to bring and when to arrive.
What to Bring
The testing program lists the identification it accepts in your confirmation. Check yours against that list before test day.
Keep the confirmation from your GACE registration where you can find it on test day.
Check-In Procedure
- 1 Follow the check-in instructions you are sent. The testing program states how early to arrive and what identification to present in your confirmation and its test-day instructions. Read them before you leave.
Tips for During the Test
Watch your time
With test 349, which has 90 questions and 2 hours of testing time, you have about 80 seconds per question on average. Pace yourself, and do not let one hard question use up the time for the others.
Read carefully
Many wrong answers come from misreading the question. Pay attention to words like "not," "except," and "best" that change the meaning entirely.
Eliminate wrong answers
On selected-response questions, crossing out answers you know are wrong improves your odds even when you are unsure of the right one.
About Georgia Testing Options
The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment can be taken at a test site in Georgia or at home with Pearson's online proctoring. You do not need GaPSC test eligibility to register for it.
Paraprofessional Salary and Employment in Georgia
Pay varies by district; check the salary schedule the district posts.
Middle 50% of Earners
Top 10% Earn
Typical Benefits Package
High-Demand Roles in Georgia
Special Education Paraprofessionals: This is the most critical area of need across the entire state. There is constant demand for aides who work with students with a wide range of disabilities.
ESOL Paraprofessionals: Particularly in the diverse metro Atlanta districts, bilingual paraprofessionals (especially Spanish/English) are in very high demand.
Pre-K Paraprofessionals: Georgia's state-funded Pre-K program is extensive and requires a large number of qualified aides across the state.
The Pathway to a Teaching Career in Georgia
Georgia's Teacher Academies: Many districts have "Grow Your Own" programs, often called Teacher Academies, that recruit and support current paraprofessionals on their journey to become certified teachers.
GaTAPP (Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy): If you already have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field, you can enroll in GaTAPP, an alternative certification route. Your classroom experience as a paraprofessional makes you a highly competitive candidate.
Completing Your Degree: If you have your 60 college credits, you can work towards your bachelor's in education at one of Georgia's excellent universities, such as the University of Georgia, Georgia State, or Kennesaw State.
Georgia Test Centers
Where you can test depends on the testing program your state uses. Check with the state agency named above or the hiring district for approved test sites.
Practical notes
- • The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment can be taken at a test site in Georgia or at home with Pearson's online proctoring
- • The GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349) costs $49 (Pearson GACE website)
- • You need a MyPSC account for your license application, but you do not need GaPSC test eligibility to register for this assessment
How to Register for an Assessment in Georgia
You register for the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349) on the GACE website, gace.es.pearson.com. You do not need GaPSC test eligibility for this assessment.
Register for the Assessment
Register for the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349) on the GACE website, gace.es.pearson.com. It costs $49. You can test at a test site in Georgia or online from home.
Prepare for the Test
Start with the test maker's own page for test 349 on the GACE website, and study reading, writing, mathematics and classroom skills.
Create Your MyPSC Account
Create an account on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website (MyPSC). You will need it for your license application.
Important: District Sponsorship Required
Remember that you can meet the assessment requirement before getting a job, but you cannot receive your GaPSC Paraprofessional license without a Georgia school district requesting it for you.
Search for paraprofessional positions on the Teach Georgia portal and individual district websites to find openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions - Georgia Paraprofessionals
Is the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment still the test in Georgia?
Yes. ETS delivered the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment until June 15, 2025, and Pearson has delivered it since July 1, 2025 as test 349. It is still the assessment Georgia's rule names. The ETS ParaPro and ParaPathways are not the Georgia test, so confirm with the GaPSC before you take either one.
What is the GaPSC?
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is the state agency responsible for issuing certificates and licenses for all Georgia public school educators, including teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. They set the qualification standards and enforce the code of ethics for the profession.
Can I apply for my license before I get a job?
No. In Georgia, a school district or public charter school must formally sponsor your license application. You must have a job offer before the licensing process can begin. However, you can meet the assessment requirement before getting hired, which makes you a stronger candidate.
Does my earlier GACE score still count?
If you passed the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment with ETS before June 15, 2025, ask the GaPSC whether that score still counts toward your license.
How long does it take to get certified?
The timeline varies by state and district and includes background check clearance. Ask your district or state education agency for the current steps.
Can I work while completing my certification?
Some districts allow provisional or probationary employment while you complete requirements, but this varies by district policy.
Ready to Start Your Georgia Paraprofessional Career?
Take practice tests and prepare for success on your assessment.