Become a Teacher
in Pennsylvania
Certification Roadmap
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Prerequisite Coursework
Teacher Preparation
Certification Reciprocity
Teacher Salary
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.
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 MAT@USC, an innovative Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online from the University of Southern California. Click here to learn more and become a teacher in Pennsylvania
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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.
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.
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 |
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
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.
