Appendix I: Credential and Disciplinary Status Categories

Official verification of a certified teacher is completed via the Internet through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) using either the teacher's PPID or name. Both the credential status and any disciplinary status are available in TIMS.

Credential Status

1. Converted – Indicates that the certificate has been adjusted to a Permanent or Level II certificate because the individual has met all the requirements for conversion.
2. Expired – Indicates that the certificate has reached the end of its specified duration. This status applies to emergency permits, intern, and residency certificates. Emergency permits are only valid for the school year in which they are approved. An intern or residency certificate is valid for three calendar years from the date it is approved. Once the specified time for the certificate/permit has passed, it cannot be used as a credential to teach in Commonwealth public schools.
3. Invalid – Indicates that the certificate is no longer legitimate, and the individual is not eligible to teach in the Commonwealth public schools.
4. Lapsed – Indicates that the level I certificate has not been converted to a level II certificate within the required number of service years. Individuals with this status may not teach on the certificate in Commonwealth public schools. Please note that Level I certificates are only marked as lapsed when the Department becomes aware of and confirms that the individual has taught on the certificate beyond the service year limitation set forth on the certificate without converting to a permanent certificate as required by regulation. (See the definitions for valid and converted.)
5. Null/Void – Indicates the certificate is no longer valid and the individual cannot teach on the credential. This applies to an intern or residency certificate when a certificate holder has withdrawn from an intern or residency certification program prior to completion of the program.
6. Pending Voluntarily Deletion – Indicates that the certificate is in the process of being removed. The status of the application has not been determined and the certificate remains valid until deleted.
7. Valid - Indicates that the certificate is legitimate, and the individual is eligible to teach in the certificate area.
8. Valid for (#) years of service – Indicates that the certificate is legitimate for the displayed number of service years. This status applies to level I certificates which are valid for a specified number of years of service, not calendar years. Please note that this status does not confirm the number of service years used or remaining on the certificate. The certificate holder and employing school entity are responsible for keeping track of the number of service years completed by the certificate holder. If uncertain as to the service years completed, the certificate holder or the employing school entity may request that the Department complete a validity determination.
9. Voluntary Deletion – Indicates the certificate area has been removed from service at the request of the certificate holder. The individual is no longer certified to teach in this area.
   

Disciplinary Status

1. Public Letter of Reprimand – Indicates that the educator received a letter of admonishment as a result of professional misconduct. Educators with this discipline status continue to hold a Pennsylvania certificate and are eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
2. Reinstated – Indicates an educator's certificate was at one time suspended, invalidated or revoked and has been returned to valid status after a decision by the Professional Standards and Practices Commission. Educators with this status are eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
3. Revoked – Indicates an educator's certificate is terminated and all Pennsylvania certificates held by the educator are nullified as a result of the imposition of professional discipline. Educators with this status no longer hold a valid Pennsylvania certificate and are not eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
4. Surrender – Means the termination by consent of a certificate or eligibility to be employed as a charter or cyber charter school staff member or as a contracted educational provider staff member whenever the surrender occurs at any time after the issuance of the certificate or the employment in a charter or cyber charter school or contracted educational provider.
5. Surrender in Lieu of Discipline – Indicates an educator's certificate is terminated and all Pennsylvania certificates held by the educator are nullified as the result of the imposition of professional discipline. Educators with this status no longer hold a valid Pennsylvania certificate and are not eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
6. Suspended – Indicates an educator's certificate is temporarily terminated and all Pennsylvania certificates held by the educator are nullified for a specified period of time or until a condition is met as a result of the imposition of professional discipline. Educators with this status are not eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
7. Suspended/Revoked – Indicates an educator's certificate is terminated and all Pennsylvania certificates held by the educator are nullified as a result of the imposition of professional discipline. Educators with this status no longer hold a valid Pennsylvania certificate and are not eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.
8. Suspension Lifted – Indicates that the terms and/or conditions of the educator's temporarily terminated Pennsylvania certificate have been satisfied and the educator once again holds a Pennsylvania certificate. Educators with this status are eligible for employment in Commonwealth public schools.