Complete guide to Act 48 continuing professional education requirements for Pennsylvania teaching certificate renewal.
Act 48 of 1999 requires all Pennsylvania educators holding public school certification to participate in ongoing professional education every five years to maintain active certificate status. This applies whether you're currently employed or not.
180
Hours of PD
OR 6
Collegiate Credits
OR 6
CPE Credits
You may also use any combination of these options to meet the requirement.
Pennsylvania treats credits and hours as follows:
Undergraduate or graduate coursework from accredited institutions. 1 credit = 30 hours.
Continuing professional education courses approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Professional development programs and activities from PDE-approved providers.
Up to 15 hours per inductee or student teacher. Maximum 45 hours per compliance period.
4 hours of prep time credit for each 1 hour of presentation (4:1 ratio). One-time credit per presentation.
Hours earned for obtaining initial and renewal certification through NBPTS.
School leaders in covered positions may be required to complete Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) courses as part of their Act 48 requirements under Act 45 of 2007.
Covered positions include: Principals, Assistant Principals, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, IU Executive Directors, and Directors of Area Vocational-Technical Schools.
The Professional Education Record Management System (PERMS) is Pennsylvania's official system for tracking Act 48 compliance. Through PERMS, you can:
Since July 2016, Pennsylvania allows educators to carry over excess Act 48 hours to the next compliance period. This means:
No limits on collegiate coursework or PDE-approved courses.
Pennsylvania teachers must complete 180 hours of continuing education, 6 collegiate credits, or 6 CPE credits every 5 years. You can also use any combination of these options. One semester credit equals 30 Act 48 hours.
PERMS (Professional Education Record Management System) is Pennsylvania's online portal for tracking Act 48 compliance. You can view your hours, check compliance status, and review certificate information. Access it at perms.pa.gov with your educator credentials.
If you fail to complete the required Act 48 hours, your certificate status will change to "inactive." You won't be able to work in Pennsylvania public schools with an inactive certificate. Extensions may be available under certain circumstances through Acts 55, 13, 118, and 24.
Yes! Since July 2016, Pennsylvania allows educators to carry over excess hours. Any hours earned beyond the required 180 will automatically roll over to your next 5-year compliance period.
Yes! When you select Pennsylvania as your state, our system automatically configures the 180-hour requirement, 5-year compliance period, credit conversions, and activity limits. You'll see real-time progress and get alerts as your compliance deadline approaches.
Not in Pennsylvania? Find requirements for your state.
Stop manually tracking hours. Classroom Walkthroughs monitors your Act 48 progress, calculates credit conversions, and ensures you're ready for your compliance deadline.