PA Vocational Teacher Certification Requirements

The Temple University Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education provides vocational teacher certification services to Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in eastern Pennsylvania. All CTE teachers must obtain a state-issued vocational teaching certificate.

To be eligible for the Temple Center certification program, a candidate must

hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
hold a US citizenship or intend to become a citizen.
pass required background checks.
prove relevant wage-earning experience within the past 10 years.
attend an Information Session.
take the Occupational Competency Assessment (OCA).
attend a one-week Temple Center New Teacher Workshop in August or January.

Program and certification requirements are subject to change. 78 credit requirement
Current Certificate information may be accessed on the PDE Website >> Certifications Following is the sequence for full vocational certification.

Emergency Certificate

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. Read more

Vocational Intern Certificate

To receive this certificate, prospective teachers must prove they possess technical skills in one occupational area to teach Pennsylvania youth. This is demonstrated by passing an Occupational Competency Assessment. The Intern Certificate is valid for 3 years. The following requirements for the Vocational I certificate must be completed during this time

Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years wage-earning experience in the occupational area within the past 10 years
Complete undergraduate/graduate course requirements
Complete the state-required Praxis I in Reading and Writing

Vocational Instructional Certificate I

The Vocational I Certificate is valid for 6 years. The following requirements for the Vocational II certificate must be completed during this time

Completion of three of the six years in satisfactory teaching on the Vocational I certificate, evaluated by local school administration
Be evaluated by local school administration
Completion of required undergraduate/ graduate course
Completion the state-required Praxis I (PPST) in Mathematics
Assessment through the PDE 430 review

IMPORTANT

Program and certification requirements are subject to change. Access current information 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 that may be required for additional educational certificates.

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