2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania School Librarian / Media Specialist License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Manages school library resources. Requires teaching cert in most states.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for School Librarian / Media Specialists

Becoming a licensed school librarian / media specialist in Pennsylvania means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,000 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Pennsylvania regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 5-year cycle. Pennsylvania doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Pennsylvania reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
School Librarian / Media Specialist · Pennsylvania

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Degree
2,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Librarian / Media Specialist in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's requirements cover 2000 hours of education or training, a state exam, and an initial fee of $100. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a School Librarian / Media Specialist in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania licenses school librarian / media specialists who complete its requirements (2000 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Can I transfer my School Librarian / Media Specialist license to Pennsylvania from another state?
Pennsylvania doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for school librarian / media specialists; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for School Librarian / Media Specialist licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for school librarian / media specialist licensing in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

What to do with this school librarian / media specialist license

School Librarian / Media Specialist in Pennsylvania is one requirement row in a school librarian / media specialist-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.