Step 8: Apply for Teacher Certification
Almost there! You've earned your Bachelor's Degree and you've passed all certification tests via PECT and Praxis, but you're not a certified teacher yet.
Remember, passing scores on all certification tests required by your program will be necessary prior to applying for licensure.
If you've graduated but have not yet passed your tests, don't despair!
After graduation, Program Completers can spend their first year out of college as a substitute without certification. During that year they can complete PECT study courses in preparation for the test and then take them when ready.
Once passing scores are obtained, you're ready to apply for your teaching certification.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires all certification applications to be submitted through an online application process using the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).
Certification applications should not be filed through TIMS until the first day of the month of your graduation (December 1 for fall graduates or May 1 for Spring graduates).
Submitting your application online will ensure that your application is in PDE's system immediately. Be sure to complete ALL parts of the online application, including your affiliation with Shippensburg University and that you have graduated (or will be graduating) from an educator preparation program at Ship. Do NOT list other institutions and do NOT list student teaching as teaching experience. PDE recently created an instructional video for assistance with filling out the TIMS application. Access the instructional video here, PDE Instructional Video for TIMS Application process.
Failure to complete all questions submitted to PDE could cause a delay in processing your application. If there is a delay, you may contact the Office of Partnerships, Professional Experiences & Outreach at (717) 477-1487 to confirm that you have been recommended. Any questions regarding your application status should be directed to PDE. Only PDE can make corrections, assist you with errors, and give you status updates.
Shippensburg's role in your application process is to:
- Verify that you completed an educator preparation program and are eligible for certification
- Recommend you for a teaching certificate based on your good moral character
This will be done once degrees are conferred, which could take several weeks after graduation. Contact information for Certification Services with the Pennsylvania Department of Education can be found on PDE’s web page Contact Certification Services. Certification Staff are currently available by phone Monday – Friday 8:00 am-4:00pm and can be reached at (717) 787-3356. You may also email questions to: ra-edcertquestions@pa.gov.
Once you have submitted your application, you can periodically check the status through TIMS. PDE does not print teaching certificates. It is your responsibility, once approved, to log in to TIMS and print your certificate.
If PDE requires additional information to process your application, it should be mailed, along with your cover sheet that includes the bar code to:
BUREAU OF TEACHER PREPARATION AND CERTIFICATION
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
333 MARKET STREET
HARRISBURG PA 17126-0333
Additional information on applying for certification can be found on PDE's website.