Completed Approved Preparation Program Outside of PA

Verify that your state is part of the National Association Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. If your state is not a party to the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, your certification program will be evaluated against PA certification program guidelines.
Identify the comparable Pennsylvania certificate for which you will be applying (see Types of Certificates). Special note: If applying for a certification in Special Education PreK-8 or 7-12 (issued only until 12/31/21), you must already hold or qualify and apply for a Pennsylvania certificate in an appropriate grade-comparable content area. PDE will begin issuing the Special Education PreK-12 certificate as an initial or stand-alone subject area on January 1, 2022. Refer to CSPG 61 (Grade-Level Scope of Certificates section) for more information.
Obtain all official transcripts (both bachelors and beyond). If submitting transcripts electronically, do not submit your transcript request until you have submitted your application in TIMS. A bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college/university is a base requirement for certification. These will be used to verify:

Obtain a photocopy of your current and valid state certificate comparable to the PA certificate you are seeking if available.

For School Speech and Language Pathologist certification, also submit a photocopy of your ASHA and/or PA Department of State license if applicable.

Obtain a completed Education Preparation Program Verification Form, PDE338A as proof of completion of an educator preparation program approved for certification in the state in which the program was completed.
Confirm that the required tests have been completed and reported to PDE directly from the test administrator (ETS, ACTFL or ES Pearson: basic skills assessments in reading, writing and mathematics (PAPA, CORE, SAT or ACT) * See update below; Fundamental Subjects (for all subject areas PK-12); and the content area test(s). For test information, refer to the Certification Test and Score Requirements (Excel) spreadsheet.
*Per Act 136, the basic skills tests in reading, writing and mathematics (PAPA, CORE, SAT or ACT) will temporarily be waived for applications received and complete by 6/30/21. Received and complete is defined as an application submitted and paid in TIMS as well as all documentation and information received moving it into "awaiting evaluation" status.

If submitting SAT or ACT scores to meet the basic skills assessments, obtain your paper score report in a sealed envelope from the testing agency.
You must take the PA required tests and meet the PA qualifying score. No other tests can be substituted.
The basic skills assessments are not required for post-baccalaureate program completers or for applicants who hold a conferred master's degree. The basic skills tests will still be requested in your TIMS application as the determination to waive the basic skills requirement is not made by TIMS. It is determined by the certification specialist at the time the application is evaluated

All applicants for initial certification in PA must apply for a Level I credential type.
After completing the payment selection and successfully SUBMITTING your application in TIMS, you will be provided a link to the application cover sheet. First upload all applicable documents possible. Follow directions for submitting transcripts. If documents cannot be uploaded or sent electronically, include the cover sheet with the documents and mail to the address indicated on the cover sheet.
All certification requirements including testing should be met for all subject areas applied for before submitting the required documentation for review.
Electronic payment (see Application Fees) accepted in TIMS.

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