Please note: This information was last updated in 2023. Check with your state for the most recent information.

Pennsylvania

Contact Information

Address:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
School Leadership and Teacher Quality
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

Phone: 717-783-6788

Pennsylvania Department of Education-Certification:
https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/default.aspx

or

http://www.statelibrary.pa.gov/Libraries/SchoolLibraries/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Requirements

Teacher Licensure Needed: Yes

Master's Degree Needed: No

Praxis II Library Media Content Test Needed: Yes, passing score is 154.

Other Testing Needed: Yes, individuals applying for an initial certificate (Instructional I) are required to take the Praxis I in addition to the appropriate subject assessment test(s). All individuals seeking dual certification will be required to be examined in both areas of specialization, and all persons who already have a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate and wish to add another area to that certificate will be required to take the appropriate subject assessment test.

Description: A valid Pennsylvania certificate in library science K-12 qualifies an individual to teach library science in grades K through 12.

Evaluation Process for Licensure:

Criteria for eligible individuals:

• All applicants for Library Media certification must have achieved:
• Six (6) semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college level mathematics; 3 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college level English Composition; and 3 semester hour credits (or the equivalent) in college level English/American Literature.
• A cumulative grade point of 3.0
• For permanent licensure the candidate needs three years of satisfactory service in the single area of library media, 24 hours of post-baccalaureate study, and completion of an induction program.

Reciprocity: Yes, through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. This can be found at http://www.nasdtec.net/?InterstateAgreements. However, both testing and GPA requirements are considered ancillary to the Interstate Agreement and states are permitted to ask that both requirements be met before a certificate is issued.