Administrative-Supervisory

Letter of Eligibility (90) – Traditional Route

• Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
  
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
  
• Provides verification of six years of satisfactory school experience, of which at least three must be in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
  
• Completes a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level superintendent certification program that includes an internship/practicum or an equivalent out-of-state program. A 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.​
  
• Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania-required test.

Commission Qualification Letter (96) – Alternative Route

There are two options available for issuance of a Commission Qualification Letter as follows:

Option 1

• Holds a graduate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university in business, finance, or management.
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
• Provides verification of four years of relevant business, finance, or management work experience in the fields of business, industry, or education.

Option 2

• Has served as a chief recovery officer or a financial administrator as defined in 24 P.S. § 631-A.
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.

Within the initial contract term as a superintendent or assistant superintendent, completion of a leadership development program that meets the Pennsylvania School Leadership Standards under 24 P.S. § 12-1217 is required. There are currently three options to meet this requirement as listed below.  If the PDE Superintendents' Academy was completed prior to July 2021, it will be accepted if completion can be verified.

• A state-approved, graduate-level superintendent certification program
• NCEE​ Executive Development Program
• The PASA New Superintendents' Academy
  

Submitting an Application

Select the link that best describes you:

I completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania.

I completed an approved preparation program in Pennsylvania.

I am applying for the Commission Qualification letter (CQL).

Letter of Eligibility (90)

• Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
• Completes a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level IU Executive Director certification program that includes an internship/practicum or an equivalent out-of-state program – a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) is required – OR holds a master's or doctorate degree plus 40 hours of graduate study successfully completed at a state-approved college or university.
• Provides verification of six years of experience in education work at the elementary, secondary, county office, intermediate unit, the Department, or state-approved college or university level. In three of these six years, the applicant shall have served successfully in a management or supervisory capacity.
• Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania-required test.

Submitting an Application

I completed an approved preparation program in Pennsylvania or am applying based on my degree/graduate-level credits.

If applying based on an approved preparation program in Pennsylvania, be sure to answer 'yes' when TIMS asks if a Pennsylvania institution will verify that you meet certification requirements for the certificate you are applying for.

If applying based on your degree and graduate-level credits, be sure to answer 'no' when TIMS asking if a Pennsylvania institution will verify that meet certification requirements for the certificate you are applying for.

PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Program​ - The PIL Program is a statewide, standards-based, continuing professional education program for school and system leaders

Individuals may qualify for an administrative certificate for purposes of employment in Pennsylvania’s public schools via a traditional, certificate/experience, or alternative route. Those who currently hold specific credentials may add a Principal PK-12 certificate.

Principal (75) Traditional Route

• Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
• Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process.”
• Completes a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level principal certification program that includes an internship/practicum or an equivalent out-of-state program. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.
• Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Principal (72) Alternative Route

• Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
• Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process.”
• Provides verification of an offer of employment as a principal, vice principal, or assistant principal from a Pennsylvania public school.
• Within two years of issuance, the Administrative Provisional I certificate holder must convert to the Administrative I (75) certification by either:
  • Completing a Pennsylvania-approved, graduate-level principal certification program that includes an internship/practicum or an equivalent out-of-state program. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required; and
    
  • Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of school law and regulations by presenting evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.
    OR
  • Providing proof of completion of a PDE-approved Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) Induction Program; and
  • Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of school law and regulations by presenting evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Adding Principal (75) Certification

• Holds a PA Principal certificate (83, 84), Career and Technical Administrative Director certificate (78, 83, 84) or Letter of Eligibility (90).
• Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
• Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.
• When applying based on this route, applicants must indicate 'no' when asked if a PA institution will verify that they meet certification requirements.

Submitting an Application

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program inside of Pennsylvania, Administrative Provisional I (alternate route) applicants, and applicants adding Principal certification

A Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction is a district-wide specialist in curriculum and instruction across the total grade organization and is responsible for performing the following duties:

• supervising instruction and evaluating staff as designated by the school superintendent;
• designing and developing curriculum, learning materials and innovative educational programs;
• conducting experimental instructional programs, and
• directing and conducting basic or applied educational research.

Issuance of Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction (Traditional Route)

Preparation for this professional certificate is at the graduate level and presumes in-depth study in the area of Curriculum and Instruction.

A person prepared as a Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction may be eligible for certification provided the applicant:

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
2. Has completed an approved program of graduate study preparing the applicant for the broad area, district-wide supervisory functions specified by the endorsement area of the certificate. (Preparation completed out-of-state must meet Pennsylvania standards for certification.) A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.
3. Is recommended for certification by the authorized certification officer of the institution where such education was obtained or holds a comparable certificate from another state (for out-of-state graduates only).
4. Provides a chief school administrator's verification of the completion of five years of satisfactory certified school experience in an instructional area (22 PA Code Section 49.111).
5. Has provided evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under Section 49.18(a).
6. Is able to meet all other requirements provided by law.

A listing of institutions with approved programs for the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certificate can be found at Approved Certification Programs.

Issuance of Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction (Certificate and Experience Route)

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
2. Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
3. Holds a current and valid professional-level out-of-state supervisor of curriculum and instruction certificate/license.
4. Has two (2) full years of experience as a supervisor of curriculum and instruction.
5. Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Submitting an Application

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania.

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program inside of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania offers a district-wide Supervisory certificate for Pupil Personnel Services, which is a PK-12 certificate. This certificate entitles the holder to coordinate or supervise all of the pupil personnel service areas, design and develop supporting materials and innovative and experimental processes and programs affecting the delivery of pupil personnel service, direct or conduct basic or applied research within the pupil personnel service areas, and to articulate the pupil personnel services within the instructional services.

Issuance of Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services (Traditional Route)

Preparation for this professional certificate is at the graduate level and presumes in-depth study in the area of pupil personnel services.

A person prepared as a Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services may be eligible for certification provided the applicant:

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
2. Has completed an approved program of graduate study preparing the applicant for the broad area, district-wide supervisory functions specified by the endorsement area of the certificate. Preparation completed out-of-state must meet Pennsylvania standards for certification. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.
3. Is recommended for certification by the authorized certification officer of the institution where such education was obtained or holds a comparable certificate from another state (for out-of-state graduates only).
4. Provides a chief school administrator's verification of the completion of five years of satisfactory certified school experience in a pupil personnel service area (22 PA Code Section 49.111).
5. Has provided evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under Section 49.18(a).
6. Is able to meet all other requirements provided by law.

A listing of institutions with approved programs for the Supervisor of Pupil Personnel certificate can be found under Approved Certification Programs.

Issuance of the Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services (Certificate and Experience Route)

1. Holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
2. Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
3. Holds a current and valid professional-level out-of-state supervisor of pupil personnel services certificate/license.
4. Has two (2) full years of experience as a supervisor of pupil personnel services.
5. Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.

Submitting an Application

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania.

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program inside of Pennsylvania.