The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires that teachers who teach occupational skills in state-approved career and technical education (CTE) programs hold a state-issued instructional certificate. These teachers have mastered the skills of their trades and wanted to transition from industry to teaching. Typically, CTE teachers complete the requirements of the teacher certification program while they are teaching.
Under PDE guidelines, most new careet & technical education teachers are eligible to apply for an CTE Emergency Permit. An Emergency Permit is only issued in special circumstances, such as when no properly certified teachers are available or for a short-term vacancy of an existing position. Emergency Permits are valid for one school (academic) year. Assistance to secure this emergency permit should come from your school administration.
A CTE Intern Certificate will be issued by PDE for a three-year period for teaching an approved secondary career and technical education program in the Commonwealth. During this time, the candidate will complete undergraduate or graduate requirements within the Temple University career and technical education teacher preparation program.
While teaching on the CTE Intern certificate, you must complete the requirements within three calendar years to be eligible to apply for a CTE Level I certificate. After you complete the requirements, you are eligible to use PDE’s online TIMS system to submit your application for the CTE Level I certificate. The initial teaching certificate, Level I, is also known as a provisional certificate. The Level I certificate is valid for eight (8) service, not calendar, years in Pennsylvania.
If you do not hold a bachelor's degree in an approved subject area from an accredited undergraduate institution, you will complete the certification requirements for undergraduates. Temple offers options for you to complete both the certification requirements and the requirements for your bachelor's degree or you can complete a non-degree certification-only program that meets PDE's requirements for a CTE Level I (grades 7-12) Certification but does not award a degree.
If you have previously earned a bachelor's degree in an approved subject area from an accredited undergraduate institution, you will complete the certification requirements for graduates. Temple offers options for you to complete both the certification requirements and the requirements for your master's degree or you can complete a non-degree certification-only program that meets PDE's requirements for a CTE Level I (grades 7-12) Certification but does not award a degree.
While teaching on the CTE Level I certificate, you must complete the requirements within eight (8) service years to be eligible to apply for the CTE Level II certificate. The CTE Level II certificate is a permanent certificate. However, Pennsylvania’s Act 48 requires all educators to complete 180 hours or six college credits every five years to keep a certificate active.
If you currently hold your CTE Level I (7-12) certificate but do not currently hold a bachelor's degree in an approved subject area from an accredited undergraduate institution, you will complete additional undergraduate coursework to meet the requirements for a Level II certificate.
If you currently hold your CTE Level I (7-12) certificate, and you have a bachelor's degree in an approved subject area from an accredited undergraduate institution, you will complete additional graduate coursework to meet the requirements for a Level II certificate.
CTE Certification Advisor
Email: cteadvising@temple.edu
Phone: 215-204-6025
Division of Certification Services
Pennsylvania Department of Education - School Leadership and Teacher Quality
333 Market Street | Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Phone: 717-728-3224
Please visit the following webpage for certification, application or technical questions about TIMS.