Pennsylvania Special Education Teacher Guide
National board certification special education pathways are one of many things this guide covers. Everything you need to know about becoming a SPED teacher in Pennsylvania: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Pennsylvania guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Pennsylvania
National board certification special education pathways sit near the top of Pennsylvania’s professional ladder, but every teacher starts with the basics first. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree from an approved four-year institution with a Pennsylvania teaching certificate in the relevant exceptionality, or completion of 24 semester hours in special ed theory across a required course distribution. A student teaching placement and passing scores on the relevant content and pedagogy assessments round out the requirements.
New teachers receive a Level I certificate and must convert to the permanent Level II certificate within six years of service, which requires 24 additional credits earned after the bachelor’s degree, at least six of which must be in the certification content area.
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to nearly 80 Act 48-eligible courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Act 48 requires all certified educators to complete 180 hours of continuing professional education, six collegiate credits, or six PDE-approved in-service credits (or any combination) every five years to keep their certificate active.
National board certification SPED doesn’t eliminate Act 48 requirements, but pursuing it counts directly toward them: NBPTS submissions earn up to 180 Act 48 hours for initial certification and up to 90 hours for Maintenance of Certification, reported to PDE by PSEA. NBC holders also qualify for a comparable Level II certificate without additional content testing when transferring credentials into Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is a State Approved NASET state: submit course information using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 as evidence of quality for Act 48 credit.
All NASET certifications, courses, and webinars count toward your Pennsylvania renewal requirements. Whether you need to log hours or earn a new credential, the NASET course store offers a full catalog of PDE-eligible professional development built specifically for SPED educators.
Become a NASET Member today save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Ed, the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Pennsylvania
The earning potential for Pennsylvania SPED teachers varies by experience, location, and credentials:
- Average salary: $53,000–$61,000 per year
- Entry-level (0–3 years): around $41,000–$50,000
- Experienced (8+ years): up to $84,000
- Key factors: district pay scale, National Board Certification, location within the state
Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom nationally for SPED teacher pay according to some sources, which makes pursuing board certification and NBC-linked salary advancement one of the more reliable ways to strengthen your case for career growth.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
IEPs In Pensylvannia
Pennsylvania follows federal IDEA requirements for all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). A strong understanding of landmark cases in special education helps Pennsylvania teachers understand the legal foundation behind IEP requirements and student rights.
Key facts for PA SPED teachers:
- IEPs must be reviewed annually
- Pennsylvania uses the PennData system to track IEP and special education data statewide
- Special education teachers are required to actively participate in IEP development, meetings, and implementation
Writing strong, measurable IEP goals is one of the most critical skills a sped teacher can develop. NASET’s guide to determining measurable annual goals in an IEP is a practical resource for both new and experienced Pennsylvania educators. For ready-to-use templates, NASET’s forms, checklists, and procedures for special education teachers covers everything from eligibility checklists to structured observation tools.
NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country resource also provides real-world IEP examples that help teachers see what compliant, high-quality IEPs look like across different states and settings.
Assessment in Special Education
Understanding how to assess students accurately is a core competency for any Pennsylvania special education teacher. NASET’s Assessment in Special Education Series provides in-depth guidance on evaluation methods, eligibility determination, and data-driven instruction, all directly applicable to Pennsylvania’s IEP and certification requirements.
Become a NASET Member and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
Key Resources for Pennsylvania Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- PaTTAN — Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network — IEP information, special education forms, and statewide professional development
- PEAL Center — Pennsylvania’s Parent Training and Information Center, offering workshops, an IEP Online Academy, and advocacy support for families and educators
- PDE — Act 48 and PERMS — continuing education requirements and credit tracking
- PSEA — National Board Certification — Act 48 hour reporting for NBC and MOC submissions
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
PaTTAN’s week-long summer institutes and ongoing professional development series give Pennsylvania educators a strong complement to NASET’s own certification-focused coursework, especially for teachers building toward national board certification in special education.
Advance Your Career With NASET!
Wherever you are in your Pennsylvania special education career, NASET offers structured ways to keep growing. The Membership gives you year-round access to courses, downloadable classroom tools, and a community of practitioners navigating the same Act 48 and certification requirements you are.
For those ready to formalize their expertise, The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) credential signals advanced mastery to administrators and districts alike, and it’s a meaningful complement to national board certification for special education teachers pursuing leadership roles or negotiating career advancement.
Both paths lead back to the same goal: helping Pennsylvania’s students with disabilities get the individualized support they’re entitled to, from educators equipped to provide it.
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