Instructional Experience-Based Certification

An alternative work-based pathway to Instructional I teaching certification.

Pennsylvania’s Instructional Experience-Based Certification (EBC) is an alternative work-based pathway to earn Instructional I certification while serving in a full-time, paid teaching position. This pathway is ideal for post-baccalaureate career changers and non-traditional candidates who desire certification without unpaid student teaching.

Kutztown University is a PDE-approved provider of Experience-Based Certification program pathways for PK-4 Elementary Education, PK-12 Art Education, PK-12 Special Education, PK-12 Library Science, and several Grades 7-12 subject areas.

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Steps to Apply for Experience-Based Certification:

  1. Apply for admission to the appropriate graduate program at Kutztown University.
  2. Fulfill all EBC eligibility requirements, including graduate program admittance, qualifying certification test scores (see list below), and employment in your certification area.
  3. Submit Kutztown University's internal EBC application.
  4. After the KU application is submitted, complete the PA Department of Education's EBC application through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).
    • Select the (51) Experience-Based option and appropriate area of certification
    • For help with TIMS, please contact our certification office Tanya Faust at tfaust@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4332

Please note that both the KU and PDE applications must be submitted in order to be reviewed for Experience-Based Certification. Upon approval of both applications, your certification can be issued.

Eligibility Requirements for Experience-Based Certification:

  • Be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA
  • Have all certification testing taken and passed with scores on file with KU and PDE.
    • See testing requirements by certification area below
  • Secure full-time contracted employment as the teacher of record in the appropriate content area(s)
  • Secure an eligible mentor teacher at the district

Frequently asked questions:

  • How does Experience-Based Certification differ from student teaching?

    EBC is a work-based route allowing candidates to secure a paid full-time or long-term substitute position as the teacher of record while completing coursework for Instructional I certification.

    Traditional student teaching is the final clinical experience of a typically 4-year baccalaureate or 2-year post-baccalaureate preparation program that requires a minimum 12-week unpaid placement.

  • What is the difference between an Emergency Permit and Experience-Based Certification?

    PDE offers two main pathways for teaching before obtainment of a full Instructional I certificate:

    • Experience-Based Certification (EBC) is a renewable, 5-year license for a contracted, paid teacher of record position while completing an educator preparation program.
    • An Emergency Permit is a non-transferable, 1-year permit used mostly to fill short-term, vacant, or substituting positions while a district seeks a certified teacher.

    A candidate can be employed on an Emergency Permit when applying for EBC, but can’t begin teaching as the teacher of record until the EBC is issued.

  • What is the timeline for Experience-Based Certification?
    1. Enroll in a PDE-approved EBC program and secure a full-time contract or long-term substitute position in the appropriate certification area(s).
    2. Complete all required certification testing.
    3. Submit KU's EBC application.
    4. Submit PDE's EBC application in TIMS.
    5. KU will verify your program enrollment in TIMS.
    6. Once PDE issues the Experience-Based Certificate, you may begin in the teaching role while you continue coursework.
    7. After you complete all program requirements, KU recommends you for Instructional I certification.
  • How do I apply for Experience-Based Certification in TIMS?

    To apply in TIMS for PA Instructional Experience-Based Certification:

    1. Access your TIMS account via your personal Keystone Login credentials.
      • If you have not previously created a Keystone Login, you will need to register for one.
    2. Complete your TIMS profile.
    3. From your TIMS dashboard select “New Credential Application” under “Applications in Process,” and choose the appropriate credential type and subject area(s).
    4. Answer the prompts and submit the application.
    5. TIMS will forward the application to KU's certification officer for verification of your enrollment, and PDE finalizes its review.
  • Where I be employed while completing this program?

    At KU, teacher candidates must complete their supervised clinical experience within a 50-mile radius of the university.

    This 50-mile radius typically covers Berks County plus nearby portions of the counties that border it, such as Lehigh, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, Luzerne, and Lebanon. Depending on the exact school location, the 50-mile range can also extend into nearby parts of Philadephia County, Delaware County, and the Lehigh Valley region (Northampton and sometimes Carbon Counties) and Upper Bucks County.

  • Who is an ideal candidate for this work-based pathway?

    This pathway is often a great fit for post-baccalaureate candidates who are ready to move into teaching while completing a preparation program. This especially includes career-changers with strong content-area expertise, long-term substitutes or paraprofessionals who already have substantial classroom experience, and other adults who need a work-based, earn-while-you-learn route.

Please visit PDE's official Instructional Experience-Based Certification webpage for the most up-to-date information on this pathway. 

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