ACT 48

Act 48 Professional Development Plans for PA Educators

Act 48 of 1999 requires all Pennsylvania educators who have been issued any "initial" certificates since June 1, 1987 to establish professional development plans every five years. These plans are to include additional continuing education or related experiences equivalent to 180 hours of professional development, such as six credits of approved college coursework, six credits of continuing professional education courses, 180 clock hours of continuing professional education, or any combination of collegiate studies, continuing professional education courses or other programs, activities or learning experiences equivalent to 180 hours. For the purposes of calculating hours and credits, one credit of collegiate study or continuing professional education course is equivalent to 30 hours of continuing professional education. Educators holding master's degrees may volunteer to develop these plans.

Penn State is an approved provider of professional development coursework, conferences and other related activities. The registrar has a site that includes details on reporting the completion of professional development activities completed at Penn State.

Frequently Asked Questions can be viewed at Pennsylvania Department of Education or contact the PDE at (717) 787-3356.

Note that educators may place their Pennsylvania certificates on voluntary "inactive" status to suspend the continuing professional education requirements.  This option requires PDE form 338R with a $75.00 fee.