Administrative, Supervisory and Superintendent Frequently Asked Questions

Select:

• Administrative I (75) for Principal PK-12
• Administrative (78) for Career and Technical Director 7-12
• Administrative Provisional I (72) if pursuing the alternative route for Principal PK-12 or Career and Technical Director 7-12.  The provisional certificate requires a written offer of employment as principal, vice principal, assistant principal or career and technical director.
• Letter of Eligibility (90)

• Supervisor (76)
  

A Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) application and:

• Out-of-State:
  • PDE 338 A form;
    
  • PDE 338 V form verifying education experience;
  • Bachelor's degree and program transcripts; and,
  • A copy of your comparable out-of-state certificate if you hold one.

OR

• In-State: PDE 338 V form if education experience is out of state or in private schools.

After you pay for and submit your application in TIMS, you will be provided with a cover sheet that indicates required documents.  Most documents can be uploaded directly into your application or submitted electronically. Documents that cannot be uploaded or submitted electronically must be submitted to PDE via mail with the cover sheet.

• If you took the current Pennsylvania test, have it reported to Pennsylvania.
• If you took one of the older Pennsylvania tests during the timeframe Pennsylvania required the test, contact us at ra-edcertquestions@pa.gov to confirm that the test will be accepted. 
• If the test you took does not meet these criteria, you must take the current Pennsylvania test.
• Tests are required in addition to experience, degrees and certificates.

​No additional coursework or experience is required if you hold a Career and Technical Administrative Director certificate and want to obtain a Principal certificate.  If you hold a Principal certificate and want to obtain a Career and Technical Administrative Director certificate, you must provide verification of three years of relevant professional experience in a Career and Technical Education school.  In either case, you must meet the Pennsylvania testing requirement. 

​Yes, PDE will accept a current/comparable state-approved program under the interstate certification agreement in accordance with CSPG 18.

​No, a state-approved certification program from a state that does not participate in the NASDTEC interstate certification agreement will be reviewed upon the receipt of a completed application in order to determine if coursework meets Pennsylvania’s specific program guidelines.

​Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services requires five years of certified educational specialist experience.  Instructional experience, including special education, does not meet the requirement for this certification.

​Supervisor of single subject area certificates such as special education, English, reading, etc., require five years of satisfactory certified experience in the requested subject area of certification.

Three years of satisfactory instructional or student support experience completed in a public or private PK-12 school or accredited institution of higher education. 

• Commonly accepted experience includes instructional, educational specialist, supervisory and administrative experience when in compliance with certification staffing policies and guidelines. 
• PDE does not pre-approve experience over the phone or through email.  Experience is reviewed after a complete application is submitted.

• Commonly accepted experience includes instructional, educational specialist, supervisory and administrative experience when in compliance with certification staffing policies and guidelines. 
• PDE does not pre-approve experience over the phone or through email.  Experience is reviewed after a complete application is submitted.
  

​A Commission Qualification Letter requires four years of relevant experience in business, finance or management in the fields of business, industry, or education.  Please note, you must submit a TIMS application and job description(s) to have your experience reviewed.

​The Letter of Eligibility requires six years of satisfactory educational or student support service in private or public K-12 schools or an accredited institution of higher education of which at least three years must be service in supervisory or administrative positions.

• A bachelor's or higher degree;
  

• For Principals, three years of satisfactory instructional or student support experience completed in a public or private PK-12 school or accredited institution of higher education; 

• For Career and Technical Administrative Directors, three years of relevant professional experience in a Career and Technical Education school; and 

• An offer of employment as a principal, assistant principal, vice principal or career and technical education director.
  

​Within the first two years of employment, complete an administration preparation program or a PDE-approved PIL Induction Program; pass the administrative test.

​Contact the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality at ra-edcertquestions@pa.gov after you complete the requirements listed in Question 2 or refer to the email you received when the Administrative Provisional certificate was issued.  Provide your PPID.

No. Transcripts are not required for Level II Administrative certification.

​Check in PERMS (Act 48 and PERMS website) to verify that your coursework was reported by your PIL program provider.  If it is not in PERMS, you may submit a copy of your PIL Induction completion certificate with your TIMS application coversheet.

​No.  Career and Technical Administrative Director (78) is a 99-year certificate.  However, you must comply with Act 45 continuing education requirements.