PA certification
Pennsylvania teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Pennsylvania
Each row is a credential Pennsylvania reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (01) Permit | No | 1 | Yes | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Intern Certificate | Yes | 3 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Professional Instructional I Certificate | Yes | 6 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Professional Instructional II Certificate | No | 99 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Temporary Teaching Permit | Yes | 1 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (01) Permit | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intern Certificate | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Instructional I Certificate | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Instructional II Certificate | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary Teaching Permit | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Verify a teaching license in Pennsylvania
Teaching licenses in Pennsylvania are verified on the lookup service run by Pennsylvania Department of Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (01) Permit | Yes | 99 | 1 | Annual completion of nine credits in an approved teacher preparation program leading to certification in the area in which the emergency permit has been granted. The Pennsylvania Department of Education monitors the education requirements when an 01 Emergency Permit is requested. This monitoring ensures (1) that individuals comply with the educational requirements and (2) an 01 Emergency Permit is issued for the time it takes to complete the teacher preparation program. |
| Intern Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Professional Instructional I Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Professional Instructional II Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Temporary Teaching Permit | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (01) Permit | No | 1 | Yes | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Intern Certificate | Yes | 3 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Professional Instructional I Certificate | Yes | 6 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Temporary Teaching Permit | Yes | 1 | No | PK-4, 4-8, 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Pennsylvania. Ask Pennsylvania Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 988.
Alternative routes
- American Board for Certification and Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) (teach while completing)
- Intern Certificate (teach while completing)
About Pennsylvania certification
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) monitors Commonwealth-approved educator preparation programs under the authority of the Pennsylvania Code (22 Pa. Code § 49 and § 354). Information on the PDE website provides program providers and alternative preparation providers with the required program framework guidelines to which every certification program in the Commonwealth must adhere, as well as guidance regarding the program review and submittal process.
In April 2022, the final form amendments to Chapter 49 (relating to Certification of Professional Personnel) of Title 22 of the Pennsylvania Code became effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The provision in 22 Pa. Code 49.14(4)(i) required the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to identify competencies and develop associated standards for educator training in Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (now called Cultural Awareness), Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy.
The amendments to Chapter 49 required instruction in Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy to be integrated in education preparation, induction, and continuing professional development programs as follows:
Continuing professional development programs must integrate Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy (Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8, Special Education PK-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, and English as a Second Language (ESL)) competencies no later than the 2023-24 academic year.
Educator preparation and induction programs must integrate Cultural Awareness, Professional Ethics, and Structured Literacy (Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8, Special Education PK-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, and English as a Second Language (ESL)) competencies no later than the 2024-2025 academic year.
PDE developed Structured Literacy Guidelines in October 2022 and in October 2023, PDE updated the Professional Ethics Competencies to reflect the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE), 2nd edition, which was adopted by the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission.
Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment Moratorium
Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022, through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make an application during this period. As of July 1, 2025, Act 55 of 2024 permanently removed the basic skills prerequisite for individuals entering preparation programs.
Post-baccalaureate Certification Programs
As a result of the passage of Act 24 of June 2011, the Secretary of Education has powers and duties with regard to post-baccalaureate certification programs, including evaluating and approving qualified providers of post-baccalaureate certification programs, which may include providers other than IHEs, and ensuring that the approval process designed for program providers which are not IHEs enables high-quality, nontraditional program providers to seek and gain approval. Providers other than degree granting education providers can offer post-baccalaureate certificate programs after undergoing the PDE application and approval process.
Teacher intern certification programs provide an alternate route to certification through an approved Pennsylvania education program provider (EPP). With the aim of decreasing the time for EPPs to develop and deliver new teacher intern certification programs, in March 2024, PDE created the new Intern Certificate Assurance Forms. To utilize the new Assurance Forms, EPPs must have an approved and operating traditional post-baccalaureate program (this includes master’s and doctoral programs) in the content area and grade levels of the intended new intern certification program.
How to become a teacher in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania reports 5 credentials to Title II, 3 of them initial. 3 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 3 require a preparation program and 3 require tests. Apply through Pennsylvania Department of Education.
How do I verify a teaching license in Pennsylvania?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Pennsylvania Department of Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Pennsylvania teaching certificate?
1 of 5 Pennsylvania credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Pennsylvania issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 4: Emergency (01) Permit; Intern Certificate; Professional Instructional I Certificate; Temporary Teaching Permit.
Can I teach in Pennsylvania with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Pennsylvania. Ask Pennsylvania Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania reports 2 alternative routes to Title II.