Act 48: Continuing Professional Education
Pennsylvania's Act 48 of 1999 is a requirement for certified public school educators to fulfill continuing professional education to maintain active status. It applies to holders of Instructional I and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory, Letters of Eligibility, and vocational certificates, whether employed or not.
Every five years, all educators must complete 180 hours of any combination of the following:
- Six credits of relevant college courses
- Six PDE-approved continuing professional education credits
- 180 hours of approved continuing professional education
Notes: One semester credit equals 30 hours. PA allows up to 50 excess hours to carry into the next five-year period if those hours are earned during the final two years of the current period.
Act 45 of 2007 is an amendment that requires educators in leadership positions (e.g. principals, superintendents) complete their continuing professional education through specialized Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) programming. Upon completion of an Act 45-eligible course offered by Kutztown University, participants should use the appropriate form linked on this page to request the hours be reported to PDE.
Reporting Professional Education Hours
Educators are responsible for monitoring their progress in the Professional Education Record Management System (PERMS) and for requesting hours to be reported in the system.
To report hours for courses and professional development activities completed through Kutztown University, use the request form linked below. Forms may be submitted online through DocuSign, emailing the form, or by printing and mailing a paper copy.
Need Help?
For questions about Pennsylvania continuing professional education requirements or help with Kutztown's submission forms, contact Kutztown University’s certification officer Tanya Faust at tfaust@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4332.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Where can I check my Act 48 and Act 45 progress?
Educators can check status through PERMS, Pennsylvania’s Professional Education Record Management System.
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Can I submit courses from another institution through Kutztown's forms?
No. KU’s reporting process is for coursework and professional development activities completed through Kutztown University.
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Can extra Act 48 hours carry over?
Yes. Up to 50 excess hours earned within the last two years of the current compliance period may carry into the next consecutive five-year period.
Please note that providers are not required to upload any more than the maximum 50 excess hours to an educator's PERMS account.
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What is the difference between Act 48 and Act 45?
Act 48 and Act 45 are both Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements for educators, but they differ in scope and target audience:
- Act 48 applies to ALL certified educators, requiring 180 hours of professional development every five years.
- Act 45 specifically requires school leaders (principals, superintendents) to complete 180 hours of specialized PIL-approved education within that same period, which also satisfies Act 48.
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Can Act 45 PIL hours apply to Act 48 requirements?
Yes. Act 45 PIL hours can be applied to fulfill your Act 48 continuing professional education requirements.
However, regular Act 48 hours do not count toward Act 45 requirements, which mandate that certified school and system leaders complete specialized, PDE-approved PIL courses.