What you need:
You can renew in a few ways: earning six-semester credits of collegiate study, six CPE credits of PDE (Pennsylvania Department of Education)-approved continuing professional education courses, or 180 hours of continuing professional education programs through a PDE-approved provider.
These credits or hours will be loaded into your PERMS (Professional Educator Record Management System) Account so that you can track your required hours and ensure you are completing your Act 48 requirements.
How to earn your hours:
Model Teaching can help you earn semester credits through a university partner or Act 48 continuing professional education.
The most affordable option is choosing our Act 48 approved PD level courses, which will provide you with all the Act 48 hours you need for renewal in an easy-to-use and cost-effective format. Choose the 180-hour bundle to earn all your hours in one place at a low cost. View Our Act48 Credit Bundles.
Model Teaching is an approved Act 48 provider. You can search providers on the Act 48 provider list here:
https://www.perms.pa.gov/Shared/Screens/wfSearchProvider.aspx.
Model Teaching also provides university-partnered credit courses. You can consider this option if you are also looking for salary advancement options through your district, which has approved credit courses, or if you need certification in multiple states. You can find information on credit bundles here: https://www.modelteaching.com/professional-development/build-your-own-graduate-level-credit-course-bundle
What type of training can you take?
Since Model Teaching is an approved Act 48 provider, online courses through Model Teaching quality for Act 48 hours, and all 180 hours of coursework can be completed on our platform if you wish. Courses for university-partnered credit can also apply, if you prefer to earn graduate-level credits.
According to the PA.gov website, the following coursework can be taken:
- Courses or noncredit activities in the content area of the educator’s certification
- Courses or noncredit activities in instructional methods, pedagogy, strategies/tools for the classroom, classroom management, assessment or evaluation
- Courses or noncredit activities in reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Courses or noncredit activities in mathematics, mathematical reasoning, and the sciences
- Courses or noncredit activities that address inclusive classroom environments
- Courses or noncredit activities in technology
- Courses or noncredit activities in the areas of student health, interpersonal skills in a school environment, safe and supportive schools, and resiliency
The FAQ page on the pa.gov website contains more information about approved Act 48 coursework here:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/continuing-education-and-professional-development/act-48-and-perms/frequently-asked-questions/options-to-earn-act-48-faq.html
Model Teaching provides coursework in all content areas as required by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Choosing one of Model Teaching’s Act48 Bundles can help you easily and quickly complete your required Act 48 hours at a low cost.
Where to renew
To renew your certificate, you will log into your TIMS account here: [https://www.mypdeapps.pa.gov/wfTIMS.aspx ] and select the “update existing certificates” option. You can also check the status of your certificate at any time in your TIMS account.
For specific guidance on setting up, accessing, or navigating your TIMS account, you can find out more here:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/help/tims-help.html
How to renew
Each course that you complete must be added to PERMS (Professional Educator Record Management System) in order to be counted toward your certificate renewal. Model Teaching completes this process for you. Once you complete a Model Teaching course, you will submit a short form with your PPID that will allow us to upload your information into PERMS so that it counts toward your teaching certificate renewal.
Once you have completed the required hours within your five-year certificate period, you can log into your TIMS account and update your existing certificates.
Questions
More information about Act 48 requirements can be found here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/continuing-education-and-professional-development/act-48-and-perms.html
For questions about Model Teaching’s low-cost professional development for PA Act 48 hours, contact us via the chat option below or email us at courses@modeltaching.com. You can also visit our Pennsylvania renewal information page to learn more here:
Note: Model Teaching has provided this summary of PDE’s renewal policies based on information provided by the PDE website and documentation. This article is a summary we have prepared for educational purposes only, to help our current and future Model Teaching students understand their requirements in a summary form, and will be maintained to provide the most current information to the best of our ability. Model Teaching is not affiliated with PDE but is an approved Act 48 hours provider. We strongly recommend that you confirm your specific teaching license renewal needs with PDE.
Article publication date: February 2025
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