Request for Certification placeholder letter
A placeholder letter is provided to a candidate while he/she waits for PDE to approve his/her teaching certification. When a candidate is applying for employment or has accepted employment prior to receiving approval of certification from PDE, it is wise to provide potential employers/employers a placeholder letter from his/her college. The placeholder letter will affirm that the candidate has met the criteria for certification and his/her application has been submitted by the College to PDE. The College's designated Certification Officer is the only person who can provide this letter, which will signed by the Certification Officer.
To request a placeholder letter, you must have met the following criteria:
- Successful completion a student teaching practicum for your certification area
- Final evaluation forms submitted by your College Supervisor
- Satisfactory or above rating on final PDE 430 form for student teachers
- Final grades submitted to the registrar by your College Supervisor
- Completion of your academic program as verified by the Certification Officer
- Passing scores on all Praxis or PECT tests required as a part of your certification area
- TIMS application for PA Instructional Certification submitted to PDE by the certification officer