In this monograph, Georgia's certificates for school personnel are analyzed by "type" and by "field," and the reasons for the development of new certificates are discussed. In the first section, a comparison is presented of types and fields of certification in each of the United States. "Type" of certification refers to the category of school personnel involved, such as teachers, administrators, or support services. "Fields" are the subject areas or specializations in which teachers are certified as eligible to teach. The second section discusses reasons for the development of new certificates. The pressures and influences to change certification standards and procedures in Georgia since 1966 are described. In the third section, certification in Georgia is discussed in relation to data provided in six tables: (1) kinds of certificates currently issued for teachers, leadership personnel, and service personnel; (2) number of each kind of certificate issued; (3) distribution of certificates in active fields; (4) distribution of certificates in each of 121 academic or specialist fields by type of certificate; (5) infrequently issued certificates (less than 300); and (6) fields in which certificates are no longer issued. Four tables provide the background for a discussion of certification practices in other states: (1) types of certificates issued to teachers, their levels, and validity; (2) certificates listed by teaching fields, for multisubject, single subject, special education, and high school subjects; and (3) other certificates issued, including those for vocational educators, support service personnel, and administrators and supervisors. (FG)