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Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania
For the most current and detailed information about obtaining your Teacher Certification in the state of Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) web site: www.education.state.pa.us. Below is a brief summary of information.
About Certification
Certification is a process in which Pennsylvania certification requirements are verified as having been fulfilled so that an individual may serve in the Commonwealth as an educator.
All professional employees of the Commonwealth's public schools must hold a certificate.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Education sets the standards and regulations for
certification, and the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality administers those
standards and regulations in regards to certifying educators. There are seven types of certificates: Intern, Instructional, Vocational Instructional, Educational Specialist, Supervisory, Administrative and Letter of Eligibility. Individuals
must hold a valid, appropriate certificate with the proper endorsement area corresponding to
the job assignment in order to serve in a Pennsylvania public school.
Pennsylvania has two levels of certification. The initial certificate, Level I, is valid for a
specific number of service years, during which time you must complete established
requirements. Upon completion of those requirements, the Level I may be converted to a
Level II (permanent) certificate. If the Level I certificate is not converted to a Level II
within the validity period of the certificate, it will lapse. You may not be employed in a
Pennsylvania public school with a lapsed certificate.
How to Qualify for Certification
For initial certification in Pennsylvania, all candidates must:
- Earn a Baccalaureate degree (except for vocational instructional areas).
- In general, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 at the time of graduation to be eligible for certification. Students in certain programs whose cumulative GPA is less than a 3.0 at the time of graduation may be eligible for certification if they meet test score minimums as determined by PDE. Such students should consult the PDE web page concerning Testing Requirements in PA, specifically referencing the section called Certification Testing and Scores
- In general, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 at the time of graduation to be eligible for certification. Students in certain programs whose cumulative GPA is less than a 3.0 at the time of graduation may be eligible for certification if they meet test score minimums as determined by PDE. Such students should consult the PDE web page concerning Testing Requirements in PA, specifically referencing the section called Certification Testing and Scores
- Complete an approved program of teacher education
- Complete the appropriate testing requirements.
- Submit the appropriate certification form and fees
For more information, visit:
- Testing Requirements for Certification
- Intern Certificate
- Vocational Instructional Certificate
- Instructional I Certificate
- Instructional II Certificate
- Extending Certification (Add-on)
See also: Pennsylvania Department of Education (click on "Certification" on the left-side menu)
