Career and Technical Administrative Director 7 - 12

Requirements for Certification

Below are three avenues which individuals may utilize to qualify for a Career and Technical Administrative Director Certificate for purposes of employment in a Pennsylvania Career and Technical Educational Center. The requirements below offer more flexibility for becoming a permanently certified career and technical administrative director.

Career and Technical Administrative Director Certification (Traditional Route)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will issue the Career and Technical Administrative Director Certificate to an applicant who:

Has a bachelor's degree.
Satisfies the requirements in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209.
Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience in a career and technical education school. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is "professional experience in a career and technical education school that is related to the instructional process."
Completes an approved program of graduate study in educational leadership. Preparation completed out-of-state must meet Pennsylvania standards. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required.

Provides proof of completion of the graduate program by either submitting the recommendation for certification by the authorized certification officer or by submitting the transcript indicating completion of a graduate program in education and conferral of a graduate degree from an approved college or university.

Presents evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Praxis test required for career and technical administrative directors.

Provisional Career and Technical Administrative Director Certification (Alternative Route)

PDE will issue a Provisional Career and Technical Administrative Director Certificate to an applicant who:

Has a bachelor's degree.
Satisfies the requirements in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209.
Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience in a career and technical education school. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is "professional experience in a career and technical education school that is related to the instructional process."
Provides verification of an offer of employment as a career and technical administrative director.
Within two years of employment as a career and technical administrative director, the provisional certificate holder must either:

Complete an approved career and technical administrative director preparation program. A 3.0 program Grade Point Average (GPA) is required; and
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of school law by presenting evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Praxis test required for career and technical administrative directors.
OR
Provide proof of completion of an Introductory Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) program approved by PDE; and
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of school law by presenting evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Praxis test required for career and technical administrative directors.

Adding Career and Technical Administrative Director (78) Certification

PDE will issue the Career and Technical Administrative Director Certificate to an applicant who:

Holds a PA Principal certificate (75, 78, 83, 84) or Letter of Eligibility (90).
Satisfies the requirements set forth in section 24 P.S. § 12-1209 relating to good moral character.
Provides verification of three years of relevant professional experience in a career and technical education school. For the purpose of this section, relevant professional experience is "professional experience in a career and technical education school that is related to the instructional process."
Provides evidence of satisfactory achievement on the Pennsylvania required test.
When applying based on this route, applicants should follow the second link below and must indicate 'no' when asked if a PA institution will verify that they meet certification requirements.

Submitting an Application

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program outside of Pennsylvania.

Applicants who completed an approved preparation program inside of Pennsylvania and Administrative Provisional I (alternate route) applicants