Substitute Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania

<h2 id="section---InformationForSubstituteTeachersInPennsylvania">Information for Substitute Teachers in Pennsylvania</h2> <p>Individuals looking for substitute teacher roles in Pennsylvania must firstly hold a bachelor's degree. If applicants have a standard public educator certificate, they are qualified to substitute. If not, they can apply for an emergency permit. Applicants should expect a number of criminal checks prior to employment, along with continuing professional education. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Education/Experience Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree<br /> Pennsylvania public educator certificate OR a professional out-of-state educator certificate</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Certification Renewal Period</b> </td><td> Public educator certificates are valid for up to five years</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Credits Required for Certificate Renewal</b> </td><td> 6 credits of collegiate study in the individual's certificate area OR<br />6 credits of professional education courses as approved by the PDE OR<br />180 hours of continuing professional education programs OR<br />any combination of these three</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Emergency Permit Renewal</b></td><td> Valid for one year; unlimited renewals</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Pennsylvania Average Annual Salary (2018)*</b> </td><td> $33,070 for substitute teachers</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026)*</b> </td><td> 8% for 'teacher assistants', nationwide</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---ApplyingForASubstituteTeachingRole">Applying for A Substitute Teaching Role</h3> <p>Generally, those wanting to substitute teach in Pennsylvania should have an educator certificate, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, background checks, and permanent resident status in the US. There is also a route for those who do not have a certificate, known as an emergency permit. </p> <p>Applicants are encouraged to contact the school district directly. The district will provide information on their hiring procedures and requirements. Once employed, the district shall set your compensation rate and provide you with your assignments for the role. Private schools may have different requirements than public schools when hiring substitute teachers. </p> <h3 id="section---EmergencyPermits">Emergency Permits</h3> <p>Those who do not yet hold a professional certificate, but have a completed bachelor's degree, may still be eligible for substitute teaching through a granted emergency permit. </p> <p>Emergency permits may be issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) when a school district suffers an urgent shortage of teachers. The district must provide evidence that the position has been fully advertised and no appropriately-certified educators are available. </p> <p>An emergency permit can be issued to a day-to-day substitute teacher or a long-term substitute teacher. These are valid from the first day of the month until the last day of summer school within the school year. Upon the district's request, this permit can be reissued an unlimited number of times. </p> <h3 id="section---BackgroundClearances">Background Clearances</h3> <p>All educators in Pennsylvania are required to undergo three criminal background checks for employment: the Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, the Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check, and the Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI). When finding work, applicants must present their clearance reports to prospective school employers. </p> <h3 id="section---RenewingYourEducatorLicense">Renewing Your Educator License</h3> <p>In order to continue employment as a substitute teacher, one must renew their Pennsylvania educator license every five years. To do this, certificate holders are required to earn a set number of credits from collegiate study or state-approved professional education programs. Acceptable tertiary studies must take place in the specific area of their teaching certificate. </p> <p>Once the five-year period is up, those who fail to meet the necessary credit requirements will deem their certificate inactive, and will be suspended from professional employment in any Pennsylvania school district until such requirements are met. </p> <p>At least 12 months prior from the five-year expiry, certificate holders (and their corresponding public schools) will be notified of the remaining credit hours they are still required to complete.</p>