Section 49.65. Out-of-State and Nationally-certified applicants

(a) The Department will issue the appropriate Commonwealth certificate to applicants who have:

(1) Graduated from a State approved out-of-State college or university whose teacher education requirements are comparable to those of this Commonwealth.

(2) Completed the preparing institution’s teacher education program.

(3) Received the recommendation of the preparing institution for the subject or area to be taught.

(4) Presented evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments prescribed by the Department under § 49.18(a) (relating to assessment) and the requirements of Chapter 354 (relating to teacher preparation).

(b) The Department may enter into a reciprocal certification agreement with the appropriate authority of another state to recognize comparable certificates. A temporary teaching permit may be issued to educators prepared outside of this Commonwealth in accordance with the current reciprocity agreement with other states. It will be valid for 1 year to allow the teacher to meet the Commonwealth’s requirements as out lined in the reciprocity agreement.

(c) Candidates certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will be granted the highest level certificate applicable.

(d) Candidates successfully completing other National teacher training programs that require a candidate to demonstrate mastery of the subject area to be taught and professional knowledge needed for classroom effectiveness as approved by the Board, will be certified to teach in this Commonwealth, provided the approved program includes 1 year of intensive supervision in an internship program approved by the Secretary and the teacher has satisfied the basic certification requirements of the act (see 24 P. S. § § 12-1202 and 12-1209), such as having good moral character, being at least 18 years old and having a bachelor’s degree.

(e) Candidates holding a valid and current instructional certificate issued by one of the states party to the Interstate Certification Agreement with Pennsylvania may be eligible for certification if they have taught on the out-of-State certificate for 3 of the past 7 years and have achieved the qualifying score on the appropriate content area test required by the Commonwealth and meet the requirements of § 49.12 (relating to eligibility). The out-of-State certificate must be comparable to the grade level and scope of the Pennsylvania certificate being requested, and the test must have been taken within 5 years of the date of application for the Pennsylvania certificate. In those cases, no other tests will be required.

The provisions of this § 49.65 amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655; corrected January 12, 2007, effective September 2, 2006, 37 Pa.B. 209. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (320370) to (320371).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 4 Pa. Code § 403.4 (relating to highly qualified teachers).