MLIS Certificate Renewal

Submitted by Elise Herbst

Current Georgia Library Certifications will expire on June 30, 2026. Certified staff can renew their licenses online with a FCPL credit card. FCPL will pay the cost of certification for staff members with MLS/MLIS degrees. (FCPL does not pay the cost of late fees or penalties for lapses in certification or a CE Broker® account). Please contact Finance: Preetha Thalamuthu thalamuthup@forsythpl.org,  or Tonya Wallace wallacet@forsythpl.org to request a credit card in advance of your renewal. Please remember to complete a credit card approval form and return the form with a copy of the receipt and the credit card to Preetha Thalamuthu-Finance/HQ. In addition, please send a copy of the certificate to HR.

New Continuing Education (CE) Reporting Requirement:

Please be advised of an important procedural change regarding the renewal of your Librarian Certification with the Georgia State Board for the Certification of Librarians. Effective January 1, 2026, all licensed librarians in Georgia will be required to use CE Broker® for continuing education tracking.

Key Changes and Required Actions:

• Mandatory Registration: You must register and report all your continuing education hours in CE Broker®.
• Account Creation: You must create, at a minimum, a NO COST, BASIC LIMITED ACCESS ACCOUNT in CE Broker®.
• Reporting Timeline: Starting January 1, 2026, and thereafter, you must record all continuing education taken to satisfy licensure and renewal requirements within your CE Broker® account.
• Recommendation: You are strongly encouraged to load all CE course activities and certificates into your CE Broker® account as you take and receive them, and prior to applying for renewal.
• Audit Risk: Failure to enter all of your required CE hours in CE Broker® significantly increases the probability of an audit and potential Board action.

Please ensure you take the necessary steps to comply with the new CE Broker® reporting procedure before the June 30, 2026 deadline.-----For more detailed information, please refer to the Georgia State Board for the Certification of Librarians FAQ.

General Renewal Information:

• Renewal Portal opens April 1, 2026
• Continuing Education Requirement: Prior to each renewal period, you are required to obtain 10 hours of CEUs to renew your license. 
• Reporting period for renewal: Submit C.E. documentation earned between 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2026. 
• Renewal Method: The fastest way to renew your license is via the Board's website using a credit card once the renewal period opens.
• Paper Renewals: Paper renewal forms are not automatically mailed. You must call the Board office at 478-207-2440 or submit a written request to obtain a paper form.
• Address/Email Updates: You can update changes to your address or email directly online on the Board's website.
• Responsibility for Timely Renewal: Failure to receive a postcard notification does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for timely renewal.
• Renewals should be completed on or before June 30, 2026.

Everyone is encouraged to start the process as early as possible to avoid any delays.

Links to additional information:

SOS Rules and Regs - Renewal
SOS Rules and Regs - Certification for Librarians
GPLS Continued Education Website

If you have any questions, the Secretary of State’s Division of Licensing Staff are available to respond to email or phone calls: (404) 424-9966. Additionally, Gina Martin, MLIS, Director of Continuing Education and Training (phone number: (470) 620-5131, or email: gmartin@georgialibraries.org) is available to assist you with any questions or concerns. Should you have difficulty receiving a response from the Division of Licensing staff, please inform Gina Martin.