Certifications
For Professional Employees
Level I to Level II Certification
Validity: The validity period for Instructional I certificates and Educational Specialist I certificates is 6 years of service. This is 6 years for actual years of professional service as an educator, not calendar years.
For example: A certificate issued in 2010 was used for a total of 3 years of professional service as an educator prior to 2022. This may include some long-term substitute assignments. As of 2022 there are 3 years of validity remaining.
Level II Certification FAQ
Level I to Level II Requirements
All of the following requirements must be met in order to convert a Level I to a Level II. You can also find these requirements on the PDE Website under the Level II Checklist:
- A minimum of three (3) years of satisfactory service in a Pennsylvania public school entity.
- Twenty four (24) post baccalaureate credits
- Completion of an Induction program
- Verification of service time (reported electronically by employing entities via TIMS)
It is the responsibility of each certificate holder to know when their certificate expires and apply for a Level II certificate. Failure to convert the certificate before the end of the applicable service period will result in a lapsed certificate and the certificate holder will be ineligible for employment as a professional.
Video Tutorial: Converting your Level I certificate to a Level II certificate
For Administrative Employees
Level I Certification
Validity: For individuals employed as principals or assistant principals in Pennsylvania after January 1, 2008, the validity period for Administrative I certificates is five (5) years of service.
Level I to Level II Requirements
All of the following requirements must be met in order to convert a Level I to a Level II. You can also find these requirements on the PDE Website under Administrative Level II Certification.
- A minimum of three (3) years of satisfactory service on the PA Administrative I certificate
- Completed the PDE approved PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Induction Program
For individuals who are not working as a Principal or Assistant/Vice Principal but are employed in another capacity (e.g., supervisor of a single subject), the time spent working in that position will not count against the five years of Level I service time.
It is the responsibility of each certificate holder to know when their certificate expires and apply for a Level II certificate. Failure to convert the certificate before the end of the applicable service period will result in a lapsed certificate and the certificate holder will be ineligible for employment as an administrator.