Harrisburg, PA (July 28, 2026) – A new law will make it easier for Pennsylvania teachers to return to the Commonwealth after teaching in other states.
As part of this year’s School Code, passed through the state budget process, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) will honor continuing education credits that are accepted by other states to maintain an active Pennsylvania teaching certificate.
The measure is based on legislation introduced by State Senator Carolyn Comitta to ease the pathway to Pennsylvania-certified teachers to rejoin the Commonwealth’s educator workforce should they leave, temporarily teach in another state, and then move back.
Comitta, a former public-school teacher, said she was inspired to introduce the legislation because teachers in military families or those who take longer-term, out-of-state teaching assignments previously faced losing their authorization to teach in Pennsylvania.
“As we continue to face a growing teacher shortage, this is another simple way we can cut through barriers and help get more talented and qualified teachers into Pennsylvania classrooms,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said. “It will be especially beneficial to counties that border neighboring states, like Chester County, where West Chester University is a leader in producing Pennsylvania-certified teachers.”
By law, Pennsylvania educators must complete 180 hours of professional development, 6 college/collegiate credits, or 6 continuing professional education (CPE) credits every five years to keep their certification active.
If an educator fails to complete the requisite credits within the allotted time, their certificate is placed on “inactive status,” and they become unauthorized to teach in Pennsylvania.
Previously, the Pennsylvania Department of Education was unable to accept continuing education credits from other states, making it very difficult for Pennsylvania-certified educators to maintain an active teaching certification here.
Now, educators will not have to face the additional barrier of completing continuing education or academic credits if their certification becomes inactive while they are teaching outside the Commonwealth.