Per Act 82 of 2018, first-time applicants for special education certification will be issued Special Education PK-12 certificates as of January 1, 2022. However, those holding a PA Special Education PK-8 or Special Education 7-12 certificate will be able to expand the scope of their special education certificate as permitted by law.
Effective immediately, all PA Special Education PK-8 or Special Education 7-12 certificate holders, can obtain the opposite special education grade scope by completing the following:
- Contact a state approved program provider and complete additional competencies for the opposite special education grade scope
- Apply in TIMS with approved program provider's recommendation
- No additional tests required
- No prerequisite regular education content certificate required
OR
- Obtain a passing score (no GPA option) on the current opposite spec education grade scope test
- Apply directly in TIMS as a testing add on option for the expansion certificate
- No prerequisite regular education content certificate required
A content area certificate in the corresponding grade span will not be necessary for those wishing to expand the scope of their existing PA Special Education PK-8 or Special Education 7-12 certificate through one of the above routes. These special education certificate holders will receive a Special Education Expansion PK-8 or Special Education Expansion 7-12 on their existing certificate.
For PA Special Education PK-8 and Special Education 7-12 certificate holders who have completed a special education program for the other special education grade span and hold the required content area certificate in the corresponding grade span may continue to apply for and be issued the Special Education PK-8 or Special Education 7-12 certificate.
All PA Special Education PK-8 and Special Education 7-12 PA certificate holders that choose the testing option will receive a Special Education Expansion PK-8 or Special Education Expansion 7-12 on their existing certificate even if they hold the required prerequisite content area certificate.
NOTE: Both the special education certificate and special education expansion can be used equally for staffing purposes with a hiring entity. Additional information can be viewed on the Act 82 Special Education Certification Examples.
Applications for expanding the grade scope of a special education certificate, whether based on program completion or testing, may not be included in an application for certification in another area; a separate application must be submitted.
Act 82 Special Education Certification Examples
| PA Special Education Certification Held | Additional Special Education Requirement Completed | Hold Content Certification for Special Education Area to be Added | Until 12/31/21 Apply For | After 12/31/21 Apply For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education PK-8 | Special Education 7-12 test | N/A | Special Education Expansion 7-12 | Special Education Expansion 7-12 |
| Additional program coursework for Special Education 7-12/no additional test | No | Special Education Expansion 7-12 | Special Education Expansion 7-12 | |
| Additional program coursework for Special Education 7-12/no additional test | Yes | Special Education 7-12 Certification* | Special Education Expansion 7-12 | |
| Special Education 7-12 | Special Education PK-8 test | N/A | Special Education Expansion PK-8 | Special Education Expansion PK-8 |
| Additional program coursework for Special Education PK-8/no additional test | No | Special Education Expansion PK-8 | Special Education Expansion PK-8 | |
| Additional program coursework for Special Education PK-8/no additional test | Yes | Special Education PK-8 Certification* | Special Education Expansion PK-8 |
*Note: Special Education Certificates are only made available to individuals who hold a content certificate for the special education area to be added if they have completed a program.