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PA Vocational Teacher Certification Requirements
You Must Be Certified To Teach!
In Eastern Region of Pennsylvania, Temple University Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education provides vocational teacher certification services to Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers. All prospective CTE teachers MUST obtain a state-issued vocational teaching certificate.
Eligibility for the Temple CTE Center certification program, a candidate must:
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Hold either a US citizenship or a Green Card with intention to become a citizen
- Pass required background checks
- Have recent and relevant wage-earning experience
- Attend one of the Certification Orientations held the second Tuesday of each month
- Take the Occupational Competency Assessment (OCA)
- Attend a one-week Temple Center New Teacher Workshop in August or January
The sequence for full vocational certification as follow
For additional information, please contact
Certification Advisor
Ms. Nancy Johnston
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Ritter Hall Room 346,
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091
Tel: 215-204-8376
Email: Nancy.Johnston@temple.edu
Program and certification requirements are subject to change.
Current information may be accessed on the PDE Website.
Following is the sequence for full vocational certification.
A teacher with the appropriate background and experience may begin teaching prior to completing all state requirements by obtaining an Emergency Permit valid for one school year. This allows teachers to formally demonstrate their expertise.
To receive this certificate, prospective teachers must prove they possess technical skills in one occupational subject to teach Pennsylvania youth. This is demonstrated by passing an Occupational Competency Assessment (link). The Intern Certificate is valid for 3 years during which time the intern completes the requirements for the next level certificate. During this 3-year period, the intern must
- Demonstrate 2 years wage-earning experience in the occupational area
- Complete undergraduate/graduate course requirements
- Complete the state-required Praxis I in Reading and Writing
Upon completion of the above, the intern is eligible to apply for the Vocational Instructional I certificate.
Vocational Instructional Certificate I
The Vocational I Certificate is valid for 6 years, while completing requirements to provide the foundation for the next level certificate.
To be eligible to move to the next level, the teacher must
- Complete 3 of the 6 years in satisfactory teaching on the Vocational I certificate
- Be evaluated by local school administration
- Complete additional undergraduate/ graduate course requirements
- Complete the state-required Praxis I (PPST) in Mathematics
- Be assessed through the PDE 430 review
Upon completion of the above, the individual is eligible to apply for the Vocational Instructional II certificate which is good for 99 years.
IMPORTANT
Program and certification requirements are subject to change. Current information may be accessed on the PDE Website
NOTE
Pennsylvania Act 48 requirements mandate that all educators earn 180 continuing education hours or 6 college credits every five years to keep their certificate active. Those who hold the Vocational II certificate may continue with college coursework to earn the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree which may be required for additional educational certificates.