Applying for Certification

Before - Prior to, or at the start of, Student Teaching

• Take Content Area Tests (this is only a recommendation) - You do not need to take the tests in order to student teach, you may take the tests after you student teach.
  • All testing must be successfully completed prior to recommendation to PDE for certification.
• Coursework completion - Make sure your MarAUDIT is complete with the exception of Student Teaching.  
• Mark your Calendar!  Note the Certification Information Session date/time on your calendar.  This session is online and is required.

Certification Information Session - Held after the start of the Student Teaching semester

• This online session will provide valuable information to guide you through the certification process. 
• Attendance is required.
• The date/time of the session are posted in the Student Teaching D2L.  The session link is posted in D2L as soon as it is available.

Mid-Semester 

• Register for your TIMS account, which will generate your PPID number.
• Fill out the 'MU Request to Recommend' form.  This form includes important information needed to recommend you to PDE for certification.
  
  • Fall Deadline - October 15th
  • Spring Deadline - March 15th

End of Semester - After either December 1st (Fall) or May 1st (Spring)

• Take the 'Student Teacher Survey'.
• Submit the TIMS application - earliest you can complete, and submit, TIMS application to PDE.  
  • Fall (earliest TIMS application submission date) - December 1st
  • Spring (earliest TIMS application submission date) - May 1st  

AFTER the End of Semester - After final grades have been issued and degrees conferred

• Student degree is awarded/conferred by Millersville University.
• Millersville University recommends student to PDE for licensure (provided all requirements have been met).
• A 'Verification of Completion' letter is issued to the student (provided the 'MU Request for Recommendation' form has been completed).  

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Are you Applying for Jobs OR have a Job Offer? 

Scroll down the webpage to the items following 'The 6 Steps to Certification' below for additional information regarding:

• Applying for jobs - prior to the end of the semester
• Job Offer - prior to the end of the semester
• 'Verification of Completion' Letter - sent to student AFTER recommendation to PDE is made. 

Testing is a state requirement. Testing information is outlined below for BOTH

• Content Area Tests 
• Basic Skills Tests 

Keep a copy of your test scores. You never know when you might need them again.

Visit the Testing and Test Registration Information website for detailed information.

 

*Subject to change per PDE.

You MUST COMPLETE THE PROGRAM to be recommended for your Pennsylvania teaching license.

Do not wait until the end of your Student Teaching semester to start checking your MarAUDIT.

Start checking your MarAUDIT at the beginning of your Student Teaching semester to ensure all required coursework is complete. 

• Undergraduate Students: 
  • All courses (including those for a minor or honors) must be completed successfully. 
    • The MarAUDIT should reflect green checks for all completed courses. 
  • Both PDE 430s MUST be on file prior to recommendation to PDE.
    • These forms are submitted to the Placement Office by your supervisor. 
  • Your degree must be awarded/conferred.
  • All PDE required testing must be successfully completed.
  • Millersville University will not be able to recommend you for certification until your undergraduate degree is awarded/conferred and all PDE testing requirements have been met.

• Post-Bacc Students: 
  • Check your MarAUDIT and/or the Course Requirement Information you received with your admissions packet to confirm all requirements have been completed.
    • The MarAUDIT should reflect green checks for all completed courses. 
  • Both PDE 430s MUST be on file prior to recommendation to PDE.
    • These forms are submitted to the Placement Office by your supervisor. 
  • All PDE required testing must be successfully completed.
  • Millersville University will not be able to recommend you until all required course work is completed and all PDE testing requirements have been met.

Review PDE's 'Step-by-Step Guide' when registering for your TIMS account. 

Go to TIMS Log In on the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website to register for your account and receive your Professional Personnel Identification (PPID) number.

The PPID number is a unique, permanent number issued to all students upon their first entry into the PA public school system. This number will remain with you throughout your PA teaching career. Keep your PPID number. You will need it throughout your career. 

NOTE: If you already have a TIMS account, do not create a new one. You will use the same account to apply for your certification. Move directly to step 4. 

Complete the 'MU Request to Recommend' form - this form provides information needed to review your TIMS application and recommend you to PDE for certification.

Form Submission Deadlines:

• Fall/Winter Deadline Date - October 15th
• Spring/Summer Deadline Date - March 15th

*Forms will be accepted after the deadline date. However, students who submit this form by the deadline date will have their certification applications reviewed in the first round. 

To Access the Form:

• Current student teachers or students currently enrolled in a program leading to certification, complete this 'MU Request to Recommend'   form.
• All other students (inactive or past graduates), email certification@millersville.edu for next steps.

What you will need to complete the form:

• PPID number from your TIMS account.
• Test scores
  • If you are unsure of your test scores, log back into your Praxis or PECT account.
  • If you haven't taken the Content Area Tests, enter the date you plan to take them. 
• The address where you will be at after the end of the semester.
  • Your 'Verification of Completion' letter* will be mailed to this address.
• Confirmation of the submission of the MU Request to Recommend form is sent to the email address provided on the form!

*'Verification of Completion' letter:  The 'Verification of Completion' letter confirms that the student has met the necessary requirements and therefore, Millersville University has recommended the student to PDE for certification.  

• Students who complete the 'MU Request for Recommendation' form will be issued a 'Verification of Completion' letter AFTER recommendation to PDE is made.
• See the drop down menu on this page titled 'Verification of Completion Letter' for more information.

Login to your TIMS account to start the application - Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website. 

• Fall/Winter Applicants - may submit application beginning December 1st
• Spring/Summer Applicants - may submit application beginning May 1st

The above dates are not deadlines. These are dates PDE allows you to begin submitting the TIMS application. 

The following PDE guides and information are available on PDE's website Certification - TIMS Help/User Guides

Under 'User Guides' select the following to:

• 'Submit an Application' for an in-depth user guide on how to submit your application.
  • If you have already registered for your TIMS account, start at New Credential Application.
  • Follow this step-by-step guide when completing your application.
• 'Watch a brief YouTube video' to learn how to complete your certification in TIMS.

Under the 'Certification Frequently Asked Questions' (right side of screen) view the 'Certification FAQ's'

• Answers to FAQs

Additional Guides and Information:

• View a list of PDE's Subject Area's and Codes here. 
• Please note PDE charges a fee to submit your application.  Visit the PDE Certification - Fees and Forms website for PDE's list of application fees.

Contact PDE:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is the only one who can see your application before you pay.  If you feel you made an error or need someone to look at your application, you must contact PDE directly.

Send an email to ra-edcertquestions@pa.gov.

 

The link to the survey will be emailed to you towards the end of your student teaching semester.  Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

PA educators who hold an Instructional certificate may 'Add-On' additional content areas by testing alone; no additional coursework is required.  

Note:

• A separate application to PDE is required for Add-Ons.
• PDE must receive and review your initial Instructional 1 recommendation from MU.
  • PDE must award your certification before an application for an Add-On may be submitted. 
  • Tests for add-ons can be taken prior to submitting the Instructional 1 application. 
• The GPA sliding scale does not apply to Add-Ons. 

A list of acceptable testing Add-Ons can be found on PDE's website here: Acceptable Testing Add-Ons.

Students applying for jobs prior to the end of the semester and/or prior to recommendation to PDE for certification, should follow the steps outlined below.

1. Create Placeholder Letter:  Create a placeholder/cover letter stating interest in the position, intent to graduate/program completion, and expectation to earn your teaching license.
2. Make a copy of MarAudit or transcript:  Submit a copy of your MarAUDIT and/or transcript, along with a copy of your placeholder/cover letter, to your future employers in place of your teaching license. 

MU cannot provide a 'Verification of Completion' letter prior to recommendation to PDE. 

For Job Offers ... 

• before the end of the semester or
• within 3 weeks after the end of the semester:

Students receiving a job offer prior to the end of the semester, or within 3 weeks after the end of the semester, should submit the information below.

• Your future employer must write an email or letter to the Certification Office stating the following:
  • Student name
  • Date the job begins. 
  • What the job offer is. (E.g. Substitute Secondary Math Teacher)

Applications to be considered for the first wave of processing must be complete and include the following:

• Letter from employer with all the above items addressed.
• Both PDE 430’s from your supervisor.
• All coursework must be completed.
  • Undergraduate students: degree must be awarded/conferred.
  • Post-bacc students: required coursework must be completed.

 

Note: The 'Verification of Completion' letter cannot be provided until AFTER recommendation to PDE has been made.

AFTER recommendation for certification to PDE is made, students who have completed the 'MU Request for Recommendation' form (see above accordion drop-down menus) will be issued a 'Verification of Completion' letter.

The 'Verification of Completion' letter confirms the following:

1. The student has met the necessary requirements (see 'Step 2 - Program Completion' above) and 
2. Therefore, Millersville University has recommended the student to PDE for certification.  

The 'Verification of Completion' letter cannot be provided prior to recommendation to PDE.