Applying for School Counselor and principal Certification
You will apply for your School Counselor or Principal certification during your final internship course. You must have taken and passed the appropriate licensure exams in order to apply.
Question: Where might I find general information regarding graduation and PA certification?
Answer: You may find general guidelines on the PDE website.
Question: At what point can I complete the TIMS application?
Answer: While you may start the application process early, you will not complete the application until you approach graduation. You can usually apply for certification during your final internship course.
Question: How should I complete my application for certification?
Answer: You may complete your application for PA certification online only through TIMS. You will first need to create a PDE username and password, if you do not already have one. You may then access TIMS with your username and password to begin your certification application. PDE offers some very useful guides to help with this process.
Question: Is there anything I need to complete at Saint Vincent College as a part of my certification application?
Answer: Yes. You will need to complete this form that will provide the Certification Officer the needed information in order to review and submit your TIMS application to PDE.
Question: What certification type am I applying for?
Answer: You will apply for an Educational Specialist certification, type 31, for Elementary and Secondary School Counselor PK-12. You will apply for an Administrative I Certification (principal), type 75, for School Admin. – Principal PK-12.
Question: How much is the TIMS application?
Answer: The TIMS application is $200.00. PDE changes this fee periodically, so make sure you refer to the PDE website for the most current fees.
Question: How long does it take for my application to be processed?
Answer: Once you have completed your TIMS application and met for an Exit Interview with the SVC Certification Officer, the Education Division will verify your GPA and program completion online. Your certification will be processed by PDE in approximately 8 to 11 weeks. You will need to access TIMS and print your certification. PDE will not send you an email to notify you that your certification has been processed.
Question: Will I have to submit other documents to PDE in order to get my certification?
Answer: Maybe. Your TIMS coversheet will outline any documents that you will need to submit to PDE via the mail.
Question: Can I apply for positions even while my certification is being processed?
Answer: Yes. The SVC Certification Officer will provide you a placeholder letter that states you met the required criteria for graduation and certification and that your certification has been submitted to PDE for processing. This letter will become a part of your application packet.
Question: How do I contact PDE if needed?
Answer: If you have additional questions about your application, you can email PDE at [email protected] or call (717) PA-TEACH.
For additional information about the certification process, please contact the Certification Officer:
Dr. Tracy McNelly
724-805-2447
[email protected]
Answer: You may find general guidelines on the PDE website.
Question: At what point can I complete the TIMS application?
Answer: While you may start the application process early, you will not complete the application until you approach graduation. You can usually apply for certification during your final internship course.
Question: How should I complete my application for certification?
Answer: You may complete your application for PA certification online only through TIMS. You will first need to create a PDE username and password, if you do not already have one. You may then access TIMS with your username and password to begin your certification application. PDE offers some very useful guides to help with this process.
Question: Is there anything I need to complete at Saint Vincent College as a part of my certification application?
Answer: Yes. You will need to complete this form that will provide the Certification Officer the needed information in order to review and submit your TIMS application to PDE.
Question: What certification type am I applying for?
Answer: You will apply for an Educational Specialist certification, type 31, for Elementary and Secondary School Counselor PK-12. You will apply for an Administrative I Certification (principal), type 75, for School Admin. – Principal PK-12.
Question: How much is the TIMS application?
Answer: The TIMS application is $200.00. PDE changes this fee periodically, so make sure you refer to the PDE website for the most current fees.
Question: How long does it take for my application to be processed?
Answer: Once you have completed your TIMS application and met for an Exit Interview with the SVC Certification Officer, the Education Division will verify your GPA and program completion online. Your certification will be processed by PDE in approximately 8 to 11 weeks. You will need to access TIMS and print your certification. PDE will not send you an email to notify you that your certification has been processed.
Question: Will I have to submit other documents to PDE in order to get my certification?
Answer: Maybe. Your TIMS coversheet will outline any documents that you will need to submit to PDE via the mail.
Question: Can I apply for positions even while my certification is being processed?
Answer: Yes. The SVC Certification Officer will provide you a placeholder letter that states you met the required criteria for graduation and certification and that your certification has been submitted to PDE for processing. This letter will become a part of your application packet.
Question: How do I contact PDE if needed?
Answer: If you have additional questions about your application, you can email PDE at [email protected] or call (717) PA-TEACH.
For additional information about the certification process, please contact the Certification Officer:
Dr. Tracy McNelly
724-805-2447
[email protected]
