Become a Teacher
in Pennsylvania
Certification Roadmap
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Pennsylvania Prerequisite Coursework
Pennsylvania Teacher Preparation
Pennsylvania Certification Reciprocity
Pennsylvania Teacher Salary
Pennsylvania Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
Pennsylvania Highlights
$53960
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$56740
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
132%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in Pennsylvania, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Pennsylvania Prerequisite Coursework
Pennsylvania requires that certified teachers at a minimum have a bachelor’s degree and have completed an approved program of teacher education.
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, an innovative master level teaching degree program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Teacher Preparation
There are over 90 different Pennsylvania-based teacher preparation programs that can recommend candidates directly for PA certification.
Other programs, including those from universities based outside of Pennsylvania or online, may also qualify you for a PA credential.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Pennsylvania, visit our Pennsylvania Teacher Scholarships page.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. The state of Pennsylvania officially recognizes ABCTE certification as a route to earning your Pennsylvania teacher certification.
Pennsylvania Certification Reciprocity
Pennsylvania will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine |
| Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Mississippi |
| Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada |
| New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York |
| North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont |
| Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming |
Pennsylvania Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Pennsylvania provides loan forgiveness support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and loan forgiveness and differential pay for teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Pennsylvania has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania makes $53,960
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Pennsylvania makes $56,740
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Pennsylvania makes 132% of the salary of the average worker in Pennsylvania
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Pennsylvania receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
Pennsylvania Required Tests
In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Basic Skills Test
Subject Area Competence
Learn more about Pennsylvania teacher certification testing requirements.
Pennsylvania Teacher Certification Information & Links
- Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Pennsylvania Teacher Tenure
- Troops to Teachers Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Pennsylvania and New York Region Office
- Subscribe to Certification Map’s monthly newsletter to receive updates about teacher certification, education news and much more.
Contact Information:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
School of Leadership & Teacher Quality
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126
For further information, contact:
Christina Baumer
cbaumer@state.pa.us
(717) 728-3224
