An Introduction to PA Vocational Teacher Certification Requirements

The Temple University Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education provides vocational teacher certification services to Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers in eastern Pennsylvania. All prospective CTE teachers must obtain a state-issued vocational teaching certificate.

To be eligible for the Temple Center certification program, a candidate must:
• hold a high school diploma or equivalent,
• hold either US citizenship or intend to become a citizen,
• pass required background checks,
• have recent and relevant wage-earning experience,
• attend one of the Certification Orientations held the second Tuesday of each

  month,
• be determined to be eligible to take the Occupational Competency Assessment

  (OCA), and
• attend a one-week Temple Center New Teacher Workshop in August or January.

For advising on certification, contact Nancy Johnston at 215-204-8376 or via email Nancy.Johnston@temple.edu.

Program and certification requirements are subject to change. Current information may be accessed on the PDE website

Following is the sequence for full vocational certification.

Emergency Certificate

A teacher with the appropriate background and experience may begin teaching prior to completing all state requirements by obtaining an Emergency Permit valid for one school year. This allows teachers to formally demonstrate their expertise.

The Vocational Intern Certificate

To receive this certificate, prospective teachers must prove they possess technical skills in one occupational subject to teach Pennsylvania youth. This is demonstrated by passing an Occupational Competency Assessment (link). The Intern Certificate is valid for 3 years during which time the intern completes the requirements for the next level certificate. During this 3-year period, the intern must

• demonstrate 2 years wage-earning experience in the occupational area,
• complete undergraduate/graduate course requirements, and
• successfully complete the state-required Praxis I in Reading and Writing.

Upon completion of the above, the intern is eligible to apply for the Vocational Instructional I certificate.

The Vocational Instructional I Certificate

The Vocational I Certificate is valid for 6 years, while completing requirements to provide the foundation for the next level certificate.

To be eligible to move to the next level, the teacher must

• complete 3 of the 6 years in satisfactory teaching on the Vocational I certificate,

  evaluated by local school administration,
• complete additional undergraduate/ graduate course requirements,
• successfully complete the state-required Praxis I (PPST) in Mathematics, and
• be assessed through the PDE 430 review.

Upon completion of the above, the individual is eligible to apply for the Vocational Instructional II certificate which is good for 99 years.

IMPORTANT

Program and certification requirements are subject to change. Current information may be accessed on the PDE website

NOTE

Pennsylvania Act 48 requirements mandate that all educators earn 180 continuing education hours or 6 college credits every five years to keep their certificate active. Those who hold the Vocational II certificate may continue with college coursework to earn the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree which may be required for additional educational certificates.