Pennsylvania State Requirements

One of the requirements to convert from a Level I certificate to a Level II certificate is completing 24 semester hours of graduate credit.

1 semester collegiate credit = 30 continuing education hours

1 quarter collegiate credit = 20 continuing education hours.

Distance learning (print-based or online courses) are acceptable as long as they are officially transcripted from a regionally accredited institution. Learners Edge offers 90+ distance learning courses that meet this criteria; many PA teachers have used our courses for teaching certification renewal and conversion.

Note:  Educators who have been issued a Level I instructional certificate after September 22, 2007 must complete 6 specific credit hours as a part of the 24 credit requirement.

These 6 credits must be based in the study of Inclusive Classrooms and/or in the area of Standards Aligned Systems (SAS). Learners Edge offers the following courses that can be used to meet these areas:

Inclusive Classrooms: 

• 921: Teach Well, Learn Well:  RTI
• 753: Succeeding with the Struggling Student
• 5029: Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Students with Exceptionalities

Renew your Level II Certificate/ PA Act 48 hours

Educators will need to complete the Pennsylvania Act 48 Continuing Professional Education requirements every five (5) years to maintain an active certificate.  Requirements can be met by completing 6 semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited institution.  Thousands of Pennsylvania teachers have used our online courses for this purpose.  If you are planning to use one or more of our courses to satisfy the Act 48 credit requirements please note the following:

• All credits and hours must be related to an educator’s certificate type or area of assignment, unless enrolled in an administrative program or approved by the school board.
• Effective January 1, 2015, Pennsylvania Department of Education began accepting official electronic transcripts (eTranscripts) from out-of-state institutions of higher education for the purpose of documenting completion of Act 48 continuing professional education requirements. eTranscripts must be submitted to PDE by the out-of-state institution via the following email address: ra-edact48etrscrpt@pa.gov. Collegiate credits earned outside of Pennsylvania may also be submitted on an official college-sealed transcript to:
      PDE Act 48 Transcripts
      333 Market Street 
      3rd Floor
      Harrisburg, PA 17126

If you have specific questions regarding Act 48 we encourage you to reference the Pennsylvania Department of Education's FAQ's, or please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education at www.education.state.pa.us or 717-772-4944.

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If you need assistance with submission of a district approval form, course mapping or timelines, we’re happy to help. Our Advisory team is here to help you succeed!

If converting from a Level I certificate to a Level II certificate, an applicant must complete 24 semester hours of graduate credit.

1 semester collegiate credit = 30 continuing education hours

1 quarter collegiate credit = 20 continuing education hours.

If renewing your license, requirements can be met by completing 6 semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited institution. 

Learners Edge continuing education courses are approved by our regionally accredited universities and colleges from throughout the United States. These partners provide official transcripts, letter grades and graduate credit for successfully completed Learners Edge courses.

When selecting your course, choose any of our CAEP and/or regionally accredited graduate credit university partners to gain the semester hours of credit.

If converting from a Level I to a Level II:

Educators who have been issued a Level I instructional certificate after September 22, 2007 must complete 6 specific credit hours as a part of the 24 credit requirement.

These 6 credits must be based in the study of Inclusive Classrooms and/ or in the area of Standards Aligned Systems (SAS). Learners Edge offers the following courses that can be used to meet these areas:

Inclusive Classrooms: 

• 921: Teach Well, Learn Well:  RTI
• 753: Succeeding with the Struggling Student
• 5029: Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Students with Exceptionalities

If renewing your license: 

• All credits and hours must be related to an educator’s certificate type or area of assignment, unless enrolled in an administrative program or approved by the school board.