Pennsylvania Teacher Reciprocity Agreements
Pennsylvania teaching license reciprocity is an individual PDE review, not an automatic transfer, for educators who completed preparation or earned certification in another state. Applicants use the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS), and eligibility depends on the certificate sought, preparation program, student teaching, prior license, testing, and professional experience. Pennsylvania has also enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, but applicants should verify with PDE whether their specific license is currently eligible under the compact.
Educators prepared or licensed outside of Pennsylvania may qualify for a Pennsylvania certificate without completing a new preparation program. PDE reviews each applicant under Pennsylvania requirements and determines whether the applicant’s preparation, certificate, testing, and experience support certification in a comparable Pennsylvania area. This differs from the general Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements that apply to candidates preparing in-state. Pennsylvania teaching license reciprocity is an individual review process, not an automatic transfer.
Use the links below to jump to information on out-of-state certification, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, the application process, and testing requirements.
- How Pennsylvania reviews out-of-state applicants
- The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
- Applying for Pennsylvania certification
- Testing requirements for out-of-state teachers
How Pennsylvania Reviews Out-of-State Applicants
Pennsylvania participates in an interstate certification agreement, but certification is not automatic and is not based solely on NASDTEC membership. PDE evaluates applicants who completed an approved out-of-state educator-preparation program or hold an out-of-state educator certificate. Depending on the pathway and certificate sought, PDE may review:
- A qualifying baccalaureate or higher degree.
- Completion of an approved educator-preparation program, including applicable student-teaching or clinical-experience requirements.
- A current and comparable out-of-state educator certificate.
- Institutional verification or recommendation is required for the preparation-program pathway.
- GPA, coursework, testing, and professional-experience requirements applicable to the applicant’s specific pathway.
- Other statutory, professional-conduct, and application requirements.
Because GPA, coursework, and testing rules can vary by pathway and certificate area, applicants should review the current PDE requirements for the exact certificate they’re seeking rather than relying on a single universal checklist.
For current guidance, visit the PDE Out-of-State Educators page. Certification Services can be reached at 717-728-3224 or 717-787-3356; PDE recommends email because of high call volume.
The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
Pennsylvania enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact in 2023. The compact is designed to create a streamlined pathway for teachers who hold an eligible license from another compact member state. Not every license is automatically eligible: a qualifying license generally must require at least a bachelor’s degree and completion of a state-approved teacher-preparation program. Applicants should confirm current implementation procedures and license eligibility with PDE before relying on the compact pathway.
The Council of State Governments developed the compact with support from the U.S. Department of Defense, NASDTEC, and other education organizations. It serves qualifying teachers generally and also includes provisions intended to improve mobility for eligible military spouses.
The compact doesn’t eliminate all authority over receiving states. Application procedures, background checks, professional-discipline rules, and other public-safety requirements may still apply.
Applying for Pennsylvania Certification
Out-of-state applicants apply through PDE’s Teacher Information Management System (TIMS). The appropriate pathway depends on factors such as whether the applicant:
- Holds a current, valid, professional-level out-of-state certificate comparable to the Pennsylvania certificate sought.
- Completed an approved out-of-state educator-preparation program.
- Completed qualifying student teaching and content testing.
- Has documented satisfactory teaching experience.
- Meets the testing-exception requirements or must complete Pennsylvania testing.
Applicants should first review PDE’s current out-of-state pathways, identify the comparable Pennsylvania certificate, create a TIMS account, and submit the application and required documentation. Eligibility is based on the applicant’s credentials and Pennsylvania requirements, not solely on whether the originating state appears on a membership list. Once certified, teachers will also want to track Pennsylvania teacher certification renewal requirements to keep their new certificate active.
Testing Requirements for Out-of-State Teachers
Some out-of-state instructional applicants qualify for a full Pennsylvania testing exception, but two years of experience alone isn’t sufficient. Under current PDE guidance, an applicant generally must hold a current, valid, professional-level out-of-state certificate comparable in content and grade scope to the Pennsylvania certificate sought, have completed an educator-preparation program that included student teaching, have passed the content testing required for the out-of-state certificate, and document satisfactory classroom teaching during the two most recent years. Applicants who don’t meet every condition must satisfy the Pennsylvania testing requirements applicable to their pathway and certificate area.
Does Pennsylvania Use a State Reciprocity List?
Pennsylvania certifies out-of-state teachers through individual credential review, not a static membership list. NASDTEC and Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact participation are a starting point, not a pass/fail gate. Eligibility depends on the applicant’s preparation program, certificate, testing history, and experience. Because agreement and compact participation can change, consult PDE’s current guidance and the official Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact map rather than relying on any fixed state list, including one on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania accept teaching certificates from every state?
Pennsylvania reviews out-of-state preparation and educator certificates individually. Eligibility isn’t determined solely by whether the originating state belongs to NASDTEC or the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. Applicants must apply through TIMS and satisfy the Pennsylvania requirements for the certificate sought.
Do I need to retake the Praxis exams to teach in Pennsylvania?
Possibly. A full testing exception is available only when all PDE conditions are met, including a current comparable professional-level certificate, qualifying preparation and student teaching, prior content testing, and satisfactory teaching during the two most recent years. Other applicants must meet the testing requirements for their pathway and certificate area.
What’s the difference between NASDTEC and the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact?
The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement supports recognition of approved educator preparation while allowing each jurisdiction to impose its own requirements. The ITMC is a statutory compact designed to streamline licensing for holders of designated eligible licenses. It doesn’t eliminate every receiving-state application, background check, discipline, or public-safety requirement.
How do I start the out-of-state application process?
Review PDE’s current out-of-state certification pathways and apply through TIMS. Identify the comparable Pennsylvania certificate and submit the documentation required for your specific route, which may include transcripts, program verification, your out-of-state credential, test scores, and experience verification.
Who do I contact with questions about Pennsylvania certification?
Contact PDE Certification Services at 717-728-3224 or 717-787-3356. PDE recommends submitting certification questions via email due to high call volume.
- Out-of-state certification is an individual review — NASDTEC participation doesn’t guarantee a Pennsylvania certificate.
- The two-year testing exception has several conditions — experience alone doesn’t automatically waive Pennsylvania tests.
- Applications go through TIMS — the required documentation depends on the applicant’s preparation, credentials, testing, experience, and certificate area.
- Pennsylvania enacted the ITMC in 2023 — applicants should verify current implementation and whether their specific license is eligible.
- A static state list isn’t enough — consult the current PDE and compact guidance before applying.
Find accredited teacher-certification programs in Pennsylvania, including options aligned with requirements PDE may identify for out-of-state applicants.
