Certification & Act 48

PDE requires teacher candidates to pass standardized testing in General Knowledge, Professional Knowledge, and Subject Area Knowledge in order to receive certification. For up-to-date information on the requirements, please visit PDE's Certification Testing webpage linked here.

Please note that the GPA-based qualifying scores only apply to baccalaureate (undergraduate) teacher candidates. Teacher candidates in post-baccalaureate (graduate) programs MUST meet the minimum required scores.

• TIMS Login Instructions
• TIMS Help/User Guides
• PDE TIMS Login Page (after your account is set up)
  • Logging In/Login Problems
  • New Credential Application Directions
    • Once you are on the NEW CREDENTIAL DIRECTION PAGE - on the right-hand side is the step by step directions for each section of the application. 
• Declaration of Intent to Complete-Teacher Certification Only 
• Certification Testing and GPA (Standard Deviation Chart) #3
• TIMS Frequently Asked Questions

Kutztown University is approved to offer teacher preparation programs that lead to certification in Pennsylvania. While we regularly monitor licensure/certification laws in each state, state requirements are subject to change without notice.

If you are interested in certification outside of Pennsylvania, we encourage you to contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements before beginning a program and during your program of study. Please visit State Contacts and Information (ed.gov) for more information.

If you are planning to teach in New Jersey, please note that you may be required to complete the edTPA, a performance-based assessment in your first two years of teaching. It is strongly recommended that you contact the school district(s) of interest and the New Jersey Department of Education for more information specific to New Jersey.

All professional educators must obtain six college credits or 180 hours of continuing professional education programs, activities or learning experiences or any combination of credits or activity hours equivalent to 180 hours every five years for all types and areas of certification to maintain active status. One college credit equals 30 activity hours. All credits and activity hours must be related to an educator's certificate type or area of assignment. The administrator may approve exceptions if a change of assignment area is anticipated.

Effective July 13, 2016 - Legislation passed stipulates that if an educator exceeds the 180-hour requirement, within this current compliance period, up to 50 excess hours or credit-equated hours earned within the last two years of the current compliance period may be attributed to the succeeding five-year compliance period.  Kutztown University is not required to upload any more than the 180 + 50 excess hours.

Act 45 of 2007 amended several sections (1003, 1109, 1205.5, and 1217) of the Pennsylvania Public School Code to focus the preparation and continuing professional education of school and system leaders on the nine Pennsylvania Leadership Standards. This is commonly referred to as the "PIL legislation." See PDE's Act 45 webpage linked here for more information.

All active school and system leaders employed in the following positions in Commonwealth districts and schools on or after January 1, 2008 are affected:

• Principal
• Assistant or Vice Principal
• Superintendent
• Assistant Superintendent
• Intermediate Unit Executive Director
• Intermediate Unit Assistant Executive Director
• Director of an Area Career & Technical Education School

Educators are responsible for filling out the appropriate form to receive credit for ongoing professional education. Students may only submit courses/professional development activities that are completed through Kutztown University. You may submit an online form or print and mail a paper form.

• Fill out the online Act 48 or Act 45 form here.
• Print a paper copy of the form and mail to Kutztown University.
  • Act 48 Form
  • Act 45 Form

Mail paper forms to:

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
231 Beekey Education Center
PO Box 730
Kutztown, PA 19530