Pennsylvania requires teachers to hold a valid educator certificate before teaching in its public schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality, oversees certification through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). This guide walks you through the main steps, typical requirements, and recent legislative changes affecting testing and fees.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.
Quick Overview
- DegreeBachelor's
- ExamPraxis II / PECT
- Instructional I6 Years
- Standard Fee$50
- Official Sitepa.gov/agencies/education
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements for Pennsylvania teacher certification typically include:
- A bachelor's degree from a PDE-approved educator preparation program, including student teaching or field experience.
- Passing scores on the required content-area certification tests (Praxis II, PECT, or ACTFL/LTI depending on the certificate area). The Praxis Core/PECT PAPA basic-skills test is no longer required as of Act 55 of 2024, effective July 1, 2025.
- Three background clearances: Act 34 (PA Criminal History via PATCH), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse History Clearance via DHS), and Act 24 of 2011 (expanded disqualifying-offense list, with a duty to self-report certain arrests within 72 hours).
- Application through TIMS.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the Pennsylvania Department of Education before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The application process for a Pennsylvania teaching certificate generally involves these steps:
- Earn a bachelor's degree and complete a PDE-approved educator preparation program, including student teaching.
- Pass the required content-area certification test for your certificate area: Praxis II (ETS), PECT (Pearson Evaluation Systems), or ACTFL/LTI for world languages. The basic-skills test is no longer required as of July 1, 2025.
- Complete the three required background clearances: Act 34, Act 151, and Act 24 of 2011.
- Apply for the Instructional I certificate through TIMS and pay the applicable fee.
- Complete 3 to 6 years of satisfactory teaching plus 24 post-baccalaureate credits and an approved induction program to advance to Instructional II.
Steps can change, so verify the current process with PDE.
- 3
Pass the teacher exam
Pennsylvania's content certification testing depends on certificate area: Praxis II (ETS, praxis.ets.org) covers most secondary and content-area certifications, PECT (Pearson Evaluation Systems, pa.nesinc.com) covers PreK-4 and Special Education PK-8/7-12 among other areas, and ACTFL/LTI handles world-language testing. Act 55 of 2024, effective July 1, 2025, permanently eliminated the Praxis Core/PECT PAPA basic-skills testing requirement; treat any material describing it as a mandatory gate as outdated. Always confirm exam requirements with PDE, because tests and cut scores can change and are published in PDE's Certification Test and Score Requirements document.
License Types
Instructional II
The permanent Pennsylvania teaching certificate after Instructional I service and induction.
- Permanent status
- Act 48 CE to maintain
Instructional I
The initial certificate, valid for 6 years of full-time teaching service.
- Time-limited
- Path to Instructional II
Details
Experience
Pennsylvania's initial path runs through a PDE-approved educator preparation program on top of a bachelor's degree, including student teaching or field experience. New teachers start on the Instructional I certificate, valid for 6 years of actual full-time service, and advance to the permanent Instructional II certificate after 3 to 6 years of satisfactory teaching plus 24 post-baccalaureate credits and a PDE-approved induction program with a mentoring component. Career changers can pursue the Instructional Teacher Intern certificate through an approved alternate-route program provider. Check current standards with PDE before you apply.
Details
Fees
Act 47 of 2025 (signed November 12, 2025) reduced the standard certification fee to $50 for nearly all application types, but a separate non-waived Professional Educator Discipline fee of $100 applies to most new-credential and Level II applications, for a combined total near $150. Endorsements run $50 plus $50 discipline, for $100 total. Career and Technical Experience-Based (intern) applications are $0, and the Certificate of Preliminary Education is $50 with no discipline fee. Veterans and their spouses are exempt from both fees. Always confirm current fee amounts with PDE before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
The Instructional I certificate converts to the permanent Instructional II within its 6-year service validity window once the experience, credit, and induction requirements above are met; Instructional II does not expire further but Act 48 continuing education still applies to keep it in good standing. The Act 48 cycle requires, every 5 years, 6 semester or collegiate credits, or 6 CPE credits, or 180 hours of PDE-approved continuing professional education (or a combination), tracked via PERMS. Requirements can change; always confirm renewal requirements with PDE before your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues teaching certificates in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), through its Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality, issues educator certificates via the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). Always verify the current process directly with PDE, since rules can change.
Do Pennsylvania teachers still have to pass a basic-skills test?
No. Act 55 of 2024, effective July 1, 2025, permanently eliminated the Praxis Core/PECT PAPA basic-skills testing requirement for certification. It now survives only as one optional alternative to the 3.0 GPA teacher-prep program admissions standard.
What is the difference between Instructional I and Instructional II certificates?
Instructional I is the initial certificate, valid for 6 years of actual full-time teaching service. Instructional II is the permanent or professional certificate, earned after 3 to 6 years of satisfactory teaching on the Instructional I plus 24 post-baccalaureate credits and a PDE-approved induction program with a mentoring component.
How much does Pennsylvania teacher certification cost?
Act 47 of 2025 cut the standard certification fee to $50, but a separate non-waived $100 Professional Educator Discipline fee applies to most new and Level II applications, for a combined total near $150. Veterans and their spouses are exempt from both fees.
What background checks does Pennsylvania require for teacher certification?
Three clearances for anyone in direct contact with children: Act 34 (PA Criminal History via PATCH), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse History Clearance via DHS), and Act 24 of 2011, which expanded the disqualifying-offense list and requires self-reporting certain arrests within 72 hours.
