Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Renewal
Pennsylvania’s Level I teaching certificate cannot be renewed and must convert to a Level II certificate within six years of service. Level II certification is permanent, but Act 48 requires teachers to complete 180 continuing education hours, 6 college credits, or 6 PDE-approved in-service credits every five years to keep it active. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) sends a reminder about 12 months before your compliance deadline.
Renewing or reinstating a Pennsylvania teaching certification depends on which certificate you hold and whether it’s still active. Level I certificates can’t be renewed at all, only converted to Level II. Level II certificates stay valid as long as you keep up with Act 48 continuing education requirements every five years.
Use the links below to jump to renewal requirements or reinstating an inactive certificate.
Pennsylvania Teaching Certification Renewal
Your Level I teaching certificate is valid for six service years and is not renewable. Once you have been teaching on a Level I certificate for at least three years, completed your school district’s induction program for new teachers, and have completed 24 post-baccalaureate credits, you may be eligible for a Level II certificate. Credits must include 6 semester hours in Inclusive Classrooms and/or Standards Aligned Systems.
Once you have your Level II certificate, it is considered to be permanent and valid for five years at a time. However, to maintain certification under Act 48, you must complete continuing education requirements via one of the following methods:
- 6 post-baccalaureate college credits
- 6 Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved in-service credits
- 180 continuing education hours
- A combination of the above, since each college credit equals 30 continuing education hours
PDE typically notifies teachers about 12 months before their five-year compliance deadline, listing any unfulfilled requirements. PA providers will submit your credits electronically to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If you earn college credits outside of the state, mail the transcripts to the Department.
Pennsylvania Reinstatement of Certification
If you do not complete the continuing education requirements as listed above, your certificate will become inactive. If you are not currently working in a state school but wish to maintain your certificate, you can request a voluntary inactive status by submitting form PDE 338R to the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. (Contact them at 717-787-3356 to obtain this form. This will allow you to work up to 90 school days per school year as a substitute teacher in Pennsylvania.
If you wish to reactivate your certificate, you must have completed 30 continuing education hours or one college credit during the past year. After your certificate is activated, you must complete the remaining continuing education requirements during the first five-year validity period of your re-activated certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew a Level I teaching certificate in Pennsylvania?
No. Level I certificates are not renewable. You have six service years to complete the requirements for Level II, including three years of satisfactory service, your district’s induction program, and 24 post-baccalaureate credits. If you don’t convert in time, the certificate lapses.
How long does a Level II certificate last before it needs renewal?
Level II certification is permanent, but it isn’t maintenance-free. Under Act 48, you must complete 180 continuing education hours, 6 college credits, or 6 PDE-approved in-service credits every five years to keep it active.
What happens if my Pennsylvania certificate becomes inactive?
An inactive certificate still lets you substitute teach up to 90 days per school year. To reactivate it, complete 30 continuing education hours or one college credit from the past year, then finish any remaining requirements during the next five-year cycle.
Where do I get Form PDE 338R?
Request it from the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation at 717-787-3356. It’s used to request voluntary inactive status if you’re not currently working in a Pennsylvania public school.
- Level I certificates can’t be renewed — they must convert to Level II within six service years, or the certificate lapses.
- Level II certification is permanent but not maintenance-free — Act 48 requires continuing education every five years to stay active.
- PDE gives advance notice — expect a reminder roughly 12 months before your compliance deadline.
- Inactive doesn’t mean unusable — an inactive certificate still allows up to 90 days of substitute teaching per school year.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Pennsylvania, including coursework that counts toward your Level II conversion or Act 48 continuing education requirements.
