How to Transfer Your Teacher License to Pennsylvania (2026)

The Licensing Body: Pennsylvania Department of Education

If you are relocating to Pennsylvania as a K-12 educator, your certification goes through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), specifically the Division of Certification Services. Pennsylvania does not issue physical paper licenses as standard practice anymore. Everything is managed electronically through the Teacher Information Management System, commonly known as TIMS.

Before you start any application, you must establish a online profile through the Commonwealth's unified login portal, Keystone Login, and link it to TIMS. Every credential, endorsement, and official correspondence will live inside this portal. Do not attempt to mail paper applications or paper checks to the department in Harrisburg unless specifically requested, as paper submissions outside the TIMS workflow will significantly delay your processing time.

How Reciprocity Works in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which simplifies the transfer process for out-of-state educators, but it is not an automatic one-to-one license swap. Holding a valid credential in another state does not automatically mean you instantly receive a permanent Pennsylvania certificate. Instead, PDE evaluates your credentials to determine if your home state's preparation program and tests match Pennsylvania standards.

Pennsylvania issues two main tiers of standard instructional certificates for classroom teachers:

• Instructional I Certificate: This is the initial certification granted to out-of-state applicants who meet basic reciprocity standards. It is valid for six active teaching years in Pennsylvania public schools. It is not renewable; you must convert it to an Instructional II certificate during its six-year lifespan.
• Instructional II Certificate: This is Pennsylvania's permanent teaching certificate. You cannot apply directly for an Instructional II certificate from out of state. To qualify for conversion, you must complete three years of successful teaching in Pennsylvania under an Instructional I credential, complete a state-mandated induction program, and earn 24 post-baccalaureate semester-hour credits.

If you have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution outside Pennsylvania, hold a valid out-of-state license, and have at least two years of successful full-time teaching experience verified by your former school district, PDE typically waives basic skills testing requirements. However, subject-area testing requirements still apply depending on your specific certification area.

Testing Requirements and Equivalencies

Pennsylvania relies heavily on Praxis subject assessments administered by ETS, as well as state-specific PECT exams for early childhood and special education endorsements. When transferring from another state, you must demonstrate content knowledge through one of three routes:

• Comparable State Tests: PDE accepts test scores taken for your out-of-state license if the tests are determined to be substantially equivalent to Pennsylvania standard exams and you met the passing score set by the issuing state at the time of testing.
• Praxis Subject Assessments: If your prior state did not require testing or used an exam that Pennsylvania does not accept, you must register for and pass the specific Praxis subject test required for your subject area in Pennsylvania.
• Qualifying Options via GPA: Pennsylvania allows a sliding scale where higher undergraduate Grade Point Averages can lower the required passing score on subject tests. You can verify these GPA test score combinations on the official PDE website.

Mandatory Clearances and Act Requirements

Pennsylvania takes background checks and child protection laws very seriously. State law prohibits school districts from hiring any educator without a full set of current clearances. Out-of-state background checks are not accepted. You must complete the following Pennsylvania-specific clearances before stepping into a classroom:

• Act 34 State Police Criminal Record Check: Obtained online through the Pennsylvania State Police PATCH system.
• Act 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance: Completed electronically through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services portal.
• Act 114 FBI Fingerprint Clearance: Processed through the state's contracted vendor, IdentoGO. You must register under the Pennsylvania Department of Education service code so the results route directly to school administrators.
• Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training: You must complete three hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training before your certification application can be finalized or your employment contract signed.

Step-by-Step Application Process and Fees

To keep your transition seamless and avoid delays during peak hiring months, follow this exact sequence:

• Step 1: Account Creation: Register for a Keystone Login account and access TIMS to set up your applicant profile.
• Step 2: Submit Application: Select the out-of-state application pathway in TIMS for an Instructional I certificate in your designated subject grade span.
• Step 3: Pay Fees: Pay the non-refundable evaluation fee through TIMS. The state application fee generally ranges between $200 and $250 for out-of-state credentials. Always confirm exact current fees on the PDE website prior to submitting.
• Step 4: Send Transcripts: Have all official college transcripts sent electronically from your university's registrar directly to PDE's designated transcript processing email or via secure clearinghouse services. Unofficial transcripts uploaded by applicants are rejected.
• Step 5: Verification of Experience: Have your former school district complete Form PDE 338V (Verification of Teaching Experience) if you are seeking a test waiver based on past full-time service.
• Step 6: Submit Clearances: Complete your Act 34, Act 151, and Act 114 background checks and upload your Act 126 training completion certificate.

Processing times at PDE vary by season. During off-peak months (October through March), evaluations typically take four to six weeks. During peak spring and summer hiring months (May through August), processing times routinely extend to eight to twelve weeks. Plan your move well ahead of the school district's hiring cycle.

State Income Tax and Financial Realities

When budgeting for your move to Pennsylvania, it is essential to understand how local taxes impact your take-home pay as a teacher. Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, which is straightforward and predictable. However, local tax rules add another layer.

In addition to the state tax, local municipalities and school districts levy a local Earned Income Tax (EIT). In most Pennsylvania municipalities, the local EIT is set at 1%. However, if you live or work in the City of Philadelphia, the local wage tax rate is significantly higher, currently set at 3.75% for residents. Factor these local payroll deductions into your salary comparisons when negotiating district step scales.

Note that there are currently no statewide financial incentive programs that pay out-of-state residents to move to Pennsylvania. Any signing bonuses or tuition assistance programs are offered strictly at the individual school district level, particularly in high-need subject areas like special education, secondary mathematics, and bilingual education.

What People Get Wrong

• Expecting direct conversion to permanent status: You cannot convert straight to an Instructional II certificate from out of state; you must start on an Instructional I and earn 24 post-baccalaureate credits plus three years of PA teaching experience.
• Mailing paper transcripts: PDE requires electronic transcripts sent directly from higher education institutions or approved clearinghouse vendors. Personal uploads or mailed physical copies cause rejections.
• Using out-of-state background checks: Your previous state police or federal clearances do not satisfy Pennsylvania law. You must complete Act 34, Act 151, and Act 114 through Pennsylvania portals.
• Assuming local taxes are uniform: Pennsylvania flat state income tax is 3.07%, but local Earned Income Tax varies by municipality, jumping to 3.75% in Philadelphia.
• Waiting until summer to apply: Peak TIMS processing times reach up to three months between June and August. Apply in late winter or early spring to secure your license before district interview seasons.

Next Steps for Your Move to Pennsylvania

Getting your teaching credentials lined up early gives you a massive advantage when school districts begin opening public requisitions. Visit the Pennsylvania page to access the state teacher registry information, review the municipal tax breakdown tables, and explore live teaching openings across the state. Creating a free profile puts your teaching credentials directly in front of Pennsylvania public school districts and charter networks actively recruiting qualified educators from out of state.