Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

• No statutes or acts will be found at this website.

The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 54 Pa.B. 488 (January 27, 2024).

Pennsylvania Code



Subchapter C. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION


GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.


49.131.    Basic requirements for baccalaureate and nonbaccalaureate programs.
49.132.    Types of certificates.
49.133.    Levels of certification.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONAL CERTIFICATES


49.141.    General.
49.142.    Career and Technical Instructional I.
49.143.    Career and Technical Instructional II.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL INTERN CERTIFICATES


49.151.    Eligibility and criteria.
49.152.    Term of validity.
49.153.    Career and Technical Day-to-Day Substitute Permit.

SUPERVISOR OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE


49.161.    Supervisor of Career and Technical Education.
49.162.    [Reserved].

CAREER AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR CERTIFICATE


49.163.    Career and Technical Administrative Director.
49.164.    [Reserved].

GENERAL PROVISIONS


§ 49.131. Basic requirements for baccalaureate and nonbaccalaureate programs.

 (a)  Applicants for a certificate shall have completed, in addition to all legal requirements, a program of educator preparation approved by the Department and shall have received the recommendation of the preparing institutions or alternative program provider.

 (b)  Preparation in general education, special education, professional education and specialized studies shall be in accordance with standards established by the Department.

 (c)  Applicants shall present evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments required in §  49.18 (relating to assessment).

 (d)  Professional personnel shall present evidence of compliance with §  49.17 (relating to continuing professional development).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.131 issued under sections 202, 408.1, 1302 and 1317—1320 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  62, 118.1 (Repealed), 352 and 367—370 (Repealed)).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.131 amended January 25, 1985, effective June 1, 1987, 15 Pa.B. 245; readopted May 29, 1992, effective May 30, 1992, 22 Pa. B. 2824; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended September 21, 2007, effective September 22, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5150; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (372253) to (372254).

Notes of Decisions

   General Comments

   This regulation is simply a reflection of an administrative policy aimed at reducing incomplete and/or fraudulent applications for teacher certification and cannot be used as a basis for inferring an agency relationship. The Department of Education has not delegated any of its certification responsibilities to the preparing institutions which are responsible for the education of teachers; the Department has only implemented a policy aimed at reducing the number of incomplete applications. Logsdon v. Department of Education, 671 A.2d 302 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996).

§ 49.132. Types of certificates.

 Five basic types of certificates will be issued, as follows:

   (1)  Career and Technical Instructional Intern.

   (2)  Career and Technical Instructional.

   (3)  Supervisor of Career and Technical Education.

   (4)  Career and Technical Administrative Director.

   (5)  Vocational Career and Technical Substitute Permits.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.132 issued under sections 202, 408.1, 1302 and 1317—1320 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  62, 118.1 (Repealed), 352 and 367—370 (Repealed)).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.132 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (372254).

§ 49.133. Levels of certification.

 Career and Technical Instructional Certificates shall be issued for the following levels of qualifications:

   (1)  Level I (Provisional).

   (2)  Level II (Permanent).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.133 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.133 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (372254).

CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONAL CERTIFICATES


§ 49.141. General.

 (a)  The Department will issue Career and Technical Instructional Certificates to persons whose primary responsibility is teaching occupational skills in State approved career and technical education programs in the public schools of this Commonwealth. The certificates will be valid for teaching in any career and technical or technical area for which the holder has registered his occupational competency credential with the Department in the manner prescribed by the Department.

 (b)  The holder of a Career and Technical Teaching Certificate may also teach the technical skills and knowledge of the holder’s occupation in courses of comparable content provided in secondary school programs which have not been accorded State approval as career and technical education programs under conditions in the policies and standards of the Department. Candidates for Career and Technical Teaching Certificates shall be able to help students achieve under Chapter 4 (relating to academic standards and assessment).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.141 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.141 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (372254) and (404333).

§ 49.142. Career and Technical Instructional I.

 (a)  A single certificate will be issued and titled, ‘‘Career and Technical Instructional Certificate.’’ Individuals qualifying for this certificate shall be authorized to teach in the areas for which they also hold an occupational competency credential. The occupational competency credential will be issued by the Department or an institution of higher education approved by the Secretary. The applicant shall have:

   (1)  A minimum of 8,000 hours (equivalent to 4 years full-time) wage-earning experience in the occupational area to be taught or 4,000 hours (equivalent to 2 years) wage-earning experience plus a baccalaureate degree.

   (2)  Successfully completed the occupational competency examination or evaluation of credentials for occupations where examinations do not exist or present evidence of satisfactory achievement on an assessment of subject matter under §  49.18 (relating to assessment).

   (3)  Completed 18 credit hours in an approved program of career and technical educator preparation. For Career and Technical I Certificates issued on or after January 1, 2013, the 18 credit hours must include at least 3 credits or 90 hours, or equivalent combination thereof, regarding accommodations and adaptations for diverse learners in an inclusive setting. For purposes of this requirement, 1 credit equals 30 hours of coursework. Applicable hours are limited to a combination of seat hours of classroom instruction, field observation experiences, major research assignments, and development and implementation of lesson plans with accommodations and adaptations for diverse learners in an inclusive setting.

   (4)  Presented evidence of satisfactory achievement on the assessment of basic skills under §  49.18.

 (b)  The Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate shall be valid for 8 years during which time the applicant shall complete the approved preparation program leading to the Career and Technical Instructional II Certificate.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.142 issued under sections 202, 408.1, 1302 and 1317—1320 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  62, 118.1 (Repealed), 352 and 367—370 (Repealed)).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.142 amended through January 25, 1985, effective June 1, 1987, 15 Pa.B. 245; readopted May 29, 1992, effective May 30, 1992, 22 Pa. B. 2824; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended September 21, 2007, effective September 22, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5150; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (404333) to (404334).

Cross References

   This section cited in 22 Pa. Code §  49.1 (relating to definitions); and 22 Pa. Code §  49.2 (relating to inactivity and invalidity).

§ 49.143. Career and Technical Instructional II.

 The Career and Technical Instructional II Certificate shall be a permanent certificate issued to an applicant who has:

   (1)  Completed 3 years of satisfactory teaching on a Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate attested to by the chief school administrator of the approved public or nonpublic school entity in which the most recent service of the applicant was performed.

   (2)  Completed an additional 42 credit hours including at least 6 credits or 180 hours, or an equivalent combination thereof, regarding accommodations and adaptations for students with disabilities in an inclusive setting and at least 3 credits or 90 hours, or an equivalent combination thereof, in teaching English language learners, in an approved program in the appropriate field of career and technical education. For purposes of this requirement, one credit equals 30 hours of coursework. Applicable hours are limited to a combination of seat hours of classroom instruction, field observation experiences, major research assignments, and development and implementation of lesson plans with accommodations and adaptations for diverse learners in an inclusive setting.

   (3)  Presented evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments under §  49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

   (4)  Completed a Department-approved 2-year induction program.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.143 issued under sections 202, 408.1, 1302 and 1317—1320 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  62, 118.1 (Repealed), 352 and 367—370 (Repealed)).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.143 amended through January 25, 1985, effective June 1, 1987, 15 Pa.B. 245; readopted May 29, 1992, effective May 30, 1992, 22 Pa. B. 2824; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended September 21, 2007, effective September 22, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5150; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (404334) to (404335).

Notes of Decisions

   Testing Requirements

   A provisionally certified teacher was charged with the knowledge of the statutes and regulations regarding professional certification, and the teacher cannot rely on the failure of an academic advisor to inform the teacher of the Department of Education’s applicable testing requirements for permanent certification as a means to avoid compliance with them. Logsdon v. Department of Education, 671 A.2d 302 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996).

   The testing requirements implemented pursuant to this regulation are applicable to a teacher who filed the appropriate paperwork with a preparing institution 2 days prior to the effectiveness of these regulations because the Department of Education did not receive the approval from the preparing institution until several weeks after the effectiveness of the regulation. The date the preparing institution received the application cannot be deemed the date the Department received it. Logsdon v. Department of Education, 671 A.2d 302 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996).

CAREER AND TECHNICAL INTERN CERTIFICATES


§ 49.151. Eligibility and criteria.

 (a)  The Department will issue Career and Technical Intern Certificates for teaching in State approved programs of career and technical education in the public schools of this Commonwealth to applicants who have:

   (1)  Met all eligibility requirements stipulated in §  49.12 (relating to eligibility) except for the baccalaureate degree requirement in §  49.12(3).

   (2)  Provided evidence of satisfactory achievement in assessments of subject matter under §  49.18 (relating to assessment) or satisfactory occupational competency by one of the following:

     (i)   Successfully completing the occupational competency examination of the Department.

     (ii)   Securing recognition of occupational competency upon the basis of credentials review and adequate work experience beyond the learning period as established by the Department in those competency areas where occupational competency examinations do not exist.

     (iii)   Receiving State licensure or occupational accreditation by a Board of Examiners recognized by the Commonwealth.

     (iv)   Receiving certification from another state whose certification criteria are similar to those of this Commonwealth.

   (3)  Been accepted for enrollment in a State approved career and technical educator preparation program at a Commonwealth college or university.

   (4)  Been recommended for the certificate by the institution at which they are enrolled or accepted.

 (b)  The applicant shall be issued a Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate upon presenting evidence of 8,000 hours (equivalent to 4 years full-time) wage-earning experience in the occupational area to be taught and satisfactory achievement on the assessment of basic skills.

 (c)  The certificate requires continued enrollment in a State-approved teacher intern program.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.151 issued under sections 202, 408.1, 1302 and 1317—1320 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  62, 118.1 (Repealed), 352 and 367—370 (Repealed)).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.151 amended through January 25, 1985, effective June 1, 1987, 15 Pa.B. 245; readopted May 29, 1992, effective May 30, 1992, 22 Pa. B. 2824; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (404335) and (320391).

§ 49.152. Term of validity.

 The Career and Technical Instructional Intern Certificate shall be issued for the period of time needed by the applicant to complete 18 semester hours within the approved career and technical educator preparation program, but in no case shall the validity period exceed 3 years from the date of issuance.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.152 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.152 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (320391) to (320392).

Cross References

   This section cited in 22 Pa. Code §  49.1 (relating to definitions); and 22 Pa. Code §  49.2 (relating to inactivity and invalidity).

§ 49.153. Career and Technical Day-to-Day Substitute Permit.

 (a)  The chief school administrator or career and technical school administrative director having jurisdiction over any approved Career and Technical Education program is authorized to issue a special Day-to-Day Substitute Permit to an occupational practitioner when no properly certified teachers are available. The teacher shall function under the supervision of a properly certified supervisor or administrator. Assignments as described in this section shall be made only in case of an emergency and may not exceed 20 consecutive school days. This permit will be valid for 20 days of substitute service and may be renewed for an additional 20 school days upon the approval of the Secretary.

 (b)  This permit does not qualify the holder to serve as a regularly employed teacher to fill a vacant position or as a long-term substitute. These positions shall be filled by a person holding a valid Career and Technical Instructional or a State issued Long-term or Day-to-Day Substitute Permit.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.153 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.153 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (320392).

SUPERVISOR OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE


§ 49.161. Supervisor of Career and Technical Education.

 (a)  The Department will issue a Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Certificate to a person who has a minimum of 3 years satisfactory certified career and technical teaching experience and whose primary assignment will be one or more of the following:

   (1)  Instructional supervision in the fields of career and technical education—career and technical agriculture, career and technical business, distributive education, health occupations, career and technical home economics, and career and technical industrial, or trade and industrial—in area career and technical schools and corresponding career and technical courses in the public secondary schools of this Commonwealth.

   (2)  Directing the activities of professional staff teaching in the program areas specified in paragraph (1).

 (b)  The Department will issue a Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Certificate to a person who shall meet the requirements of §  49.111(a)(3)—(5) (relating to Supervisory Certificate).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.161 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.161 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended July 14, 2006, effective July 15, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 3655; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (320392) to (320393).

§ 49.162. [Reserved].


Source

   The provisions of this §  49.162 amended September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; reserved September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (227875) to (227876).

CAREER AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
CERTIFICATE


§ 49.163. Career and Technical Administrative Director.

 The Department will issue the Career and Technical Administrative Director Certificate to persons who:

   (1)  Have a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in a Career and Technical Education School.

   (2)  Have completed an approved program of graduate study following standards listed in § §  49.111(a) and 49.121(d) (relating to Supervisory Certificate; and Administrative Certificate) or an approved alternative program under section 1207.1 of the act (24 P.S. §  12-1207.1) preparing them to direct, operate, supervise, and administer the organizational and educational activities of a career and technical school or department; applicants shall be recommended by the preparing institution in which the graduate program was completed.

   (3)  Present evidence of satisfactory achievement on assessments prescribed by the Department under §  49.18(a) (relating to assessment).

Authority

   The provisions of this §  49.163 issued under sections 1317 and 1319 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  367 and 369) (Repealed).

Source

   The provisions of this §  49.163 adopted September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; amended September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954; amended April 22, 2022, effective April 23, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 2451. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (320393) to (320394).

§ 49.164. [Reserved].


Source

   The provisions of this §  49.164 adopted September 12, 1980, effective September 13, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3665; reserved September 24, 1999, effective September 25, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 4954. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (227876) to (227877).



No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.


This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Code full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.