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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Educators

    Certification

    The Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Certification Services oversees educator certification within the commonwealth. All of the information and resources for becoming a certified educator in Pennsylvania are available below.

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    Current Processing times (once your application reaches "awaiting eva​luation" status):

    In State Level I Certificates - less than 2.5 weeks
    Out of State Level I Certificates (Instructional & Ed Spec) - 7 Weeks
    Add-On Certifications: 2.5 weeks
    Level II Certificates (Instructional & Ed Spec) - 4 weeks
    All Specialty Certificates Other than In State/Out of State Level I's - 6 Weeks
    Emergency Certifications (All Types): less than 1.5 Weeks

    Testing Requirements

    Background Checks/ Clearances

    New Educators

    Current PA Educators

    Out-of-State Educators

    Certification Staffing

    Certification Types

    Substitute Teaching

    Resources for Educators

    Career Opportunities

    PDE maintains general contact information for Pennsylvania’s public and charter schools, career and technology centers, and intermediate units, as well as a link to their associated employment opportunities (where available).

    Explore Career Opportunities in PA

    Contact Information

    Do you still need assistance with the Pennsylvania Teacher Certification process?

     

    We are here to help!

    Contact the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality

    ​Information and Updates

    Information and updates are specific to certification in Pennsylvania, and from time to time will include copies of email messages to the field, presentations, and other helpful resources. Be sure to check this page often to stay up-to-date. Contact the Certification Services team if you need additional assistance.

     

      • Act 55 of 2024 Basic Skills Assessment Requirement Discontinued
        ​​Effective July 1, 2025, the basic skills assessment required under 22 Pa. Code § 49.18 (relating to assessment) will no longer be required for entry into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program. (24 P.S. § 1207.3) As indicated below, Section 1509-K of the Public School Code waived the basic skills assessment for three years from July 8, 2022 to July 8, 2025. (24 P.S. § 1509-K) The amendment to section 1207.3, which was enacted under Act 55 of 2024, permanently ends the basic skills assessment requirement.  
      • Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment Moratorium
        Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022 requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.  
      • Act 82: Special Education Certification
      • Act 82 Expansion Email Message
      • Chapter 49 Implementation and Updates
      • Title I Certification Notification to Parents 
      • 2022 SAS Institute Presentation (PDF)
      • Maintaining an Active and Valid Certification - Advancing Education Together Summit Presentation​ (PDF)