Secondary School Teacher / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Instructs students in grades 7-12. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Secondary School Teachers

Pennsylvania sets the entry bar for secondary school teachers at board-approved training and a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Pennsylvania's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

The initial price tag is $157, and renewal costs $100 every 5 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 150 hours of continuing education are due every 5-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, secondary school teachers should know: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
51/100
Secondary School Teacher · 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$157
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$20/yr
$100 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$157
Renewal Fee
$100
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Secondary School Teacher All Pennsylvania licenses
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 Secondary School Teacher in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania requires, passing an exam (State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $157. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in Pennsylvania? ▼
To become a licensed secondary school teacher in Pennsylvania, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Pennsylvania licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for secondary school teachers: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Pennsylvania licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Secondary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, Pennsylvania requires a criminal background check as part of the secondary school teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in Pennsylvania? ▼
Licensed secondary school teachers in Pennsylvania must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $100.

Related Guides

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

Secondary School Teacher in Pennsylvania, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a secondary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Pennsylvania's secondary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Secondary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state secondary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Pennsylvania's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Pennsylvania overview

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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.