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Certifications - Level I & Level II

Understanding Level I and Level II Certification in Pennsylvania

As a new educator in Pennsylvania, it’s essential to understand the state’s teacher certification process, which includes two main levels: Level I and Level II Here's a quick guide to help you navigate these certifications.

Level I Certification

  • What It Is: A provisional certification issued to new teachers who meet Pennsylvania’s basic certification requirements.
  • Validity: Level I certification is valid for 6 years years of service (not calendar years).  A ‘service year’ is defined as a year in which you were employed as an educator in one of the following settings:
    • Public schools;
    • Intermediate units;
    • Career and technical schools;
    • Approved private schools for special education (APS);
    • Special program jointures;
    • Pre-K Counts programs (effective 2008-2009 school year);
    • Scranton State School for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children;
    • State correctional facilities when providing inmate education and training to school age inmates;
    • Juvenile correctional facilities or county jails (when employed by a public-school entity);
    • Local education agency (LEA) alternative education programs including after school program alternative education programs where the students receive credit for coursework;
    • A charter school as a principal, assistant principal, or vice principal;
    • A charter school in any special education certificate area: speech-language, visually impaired, hearing impaired, general special education, supervisory.
    • A charter school in related services positions as defined by IDEA which includes the position of school psychologist, school nurse, school counselor, school social worker and education specialist speech and language pathologist.
  • Purpose: This certification allows you to teach while gaining experience and fulfilling requirements to upgrade to Level II.
  • Requirements:
    • Completion of a teacher preparation program.
    • Passing scores on required Pennsylvania educator certification tests (e.g., PECT, Praxis).
    • Meeting all state clearance and background check requirements.

Level II Certification

  • What It Is: A permanent certification that demonstrates your commitment to professional development and teaching excellence.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • 24 Post bachelor’s degree Credits: A minimum of six of the credits must be related to your certification area(s) and/or designed to enhance professional practice.
  • Creditable Service: You must have at least three years of creditable service on your Level I certificate.
  • Evaluations: Completed 6 Semi-Annual Evaluations and received a satisfactory rating on each. Three years of satisfactory service.
  • Induction Program: Completion of a PDE induction program, verified by the chief school administrator of your employing entity.
  • Benefits:
    • Permanent validity with no expiration date.
    • Recognition as a fully credentialed professional educator in Pennsylvania.

Applying for Level II:

To apply for Level II certification, please follow these steps through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS):

  1. Complete the Online Application: Login to TIMS, complete your application, and pay the required fee.
  2. Submit Required Documentation: Send any necessary documents, such as official transcripts, directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). If the college/university has the capability to send electronic transcripts, the college/university should send official transcripts to ra-teachercert@pa.gov
  3. Supervisor Assessment: Ask your supervisor to complete the PDE 427 Level I to Level II Summative Evaluation Form and submit it to the Superintendent's Office. You can find this form below.  Please click the image and download the form to complete.
  4. Processing: Once the Superintendent's Office receives the completed and signed PDE 427 Level I to Level II Asessment Form, your work history will be verified in TIMS and submitted to PDE for processing.
  5. Notification: After your certification is issued, please send a copy to Human Resources so your personnel file can be updated. Please note that PDE does not notify the district directly.

Resources for Support

Q. What is Level II certification and why do I need it?
A. Pennsylvania currently has two levels of certification. The initial certificate, Level I, is valid for a specific number of service years, during which time you must complete established requirements. Upon completion of those requirements, the Level I may be converted to a Level II certificate. If not converted, the Level I lapses. You cannot be employed in a Pennsylvania public school with a lapsed certificate. For additional information, please visit PDE's website

Q. How many years is the Level I certificate valid?
A. The Level I certificate is valid for six (6) years of teaching. You must be working at least 50% in your certification area for the time to count against your certificate. Time worked in a private school does not count.

Q. What Happens if Level I Expires?
A. If the requirements for Level II certification are not completed within the 6-year active service period, your Level I certification will lapse.  Additional steps will need to be completed in order to restore certification before continuing to teach in Pennsylvania.

Q. What is the process to apply for Level II certification?
A. After completing at least three years of teaching, earning 24 credits past your bachelor's degree and completing a state approved Induction program, individuals must submit an online application through TIMS on the PDE website: TIMS. The following link will take you to the User Guides for applicants. The User Guides include instructions and screen shots. Start with User Guide 1.1 Logging in to TIMS to set up your user name and password. After you complete your application print the cover sheet and submit it to PDE with your official transcripts for the 24 credits. As part of the online process, you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit card, or select that you will send in a money order payable to the Commonwealth of PA.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to send a copy of your Level II certificate to Human Resources.

Q. Are all credits acceptable to Level II certification?
A. No. The following credits do not apply toward permanent certification: community college credits, continuing education units (CEU's), professional school credits (law school, seminary, theology, dental or medical school) unless relevant to your area of certification.

Q. Are Act 48 credits acceptable for Level II certification?
A. If the credits you earn are from a four-year accredited college or a state approved intermediate unit, they may be acceptable for Level II certification and for Act 48 credit. For Act 48 credit, you may also use 180 continuing education hours. These hours are not acceptable for Level II certification.

Q. What is required for Act 48?
A. All educators must maintain their certificates as active by earning every five (5) calendar years: six (6) collegiate credits or six (6) PDE-approved in-service credits or 180 continuing education hours or any combination of the above.

Level I to Level II Assessment Form

pde-427a-fillable (PDF)