State Testing & Certification

Candidates for certification must pass all required PECT/PRAXIS tests. This includes the Basic Skills Assessment tests (PAPA, CORE, SAT/ACT or approved Wilson courses) that are required for official acceptance to the Education Program and by PDE.

• For the SAT taken after February 29, 2016, if a student earns a score of Reading (27), Mathematics (26) and Writing (28) or higher on any one or all three then he/she does not have to take the aligned PAPA/CORE entrance test. For the SAT taken prior to March 1, 2016, if a student earns a score of 500 or higher on any one or all three of the SAT tests then he/she does not have to take the aligned PAPA/CORE entrance test.
• For the ACT test taken Sept 1. 2015- Aug 31, 2016, if a student earns a score of Reading (22), Math (21) and/or Writing (21) or taken after Aug 31, 2016. if the student earns a score or Reading (22), Math (21) and Writing (8); then he/she does not have to take the aligned PAPA/CORE entrance test. 

Official SAT/ACT scores should be submitted directly from College Board with application to Wilson College. If the score doesn't meet the qualifying score listed above, the score may meet the minimum score and may still count. Please send official scores!

If SAT/ACT scores do not meet the Basic Skills Assessment requirement, the student will then need to take the PAPA, Core or approved Wilson courses.

Finally, prior to applying for the Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate a student must pass the appropriate PA state required certification test(s).

Adjustments can be made to accommodate the requirements of other states except those which require a year of graduate study.

State Reciprocity:

Wilson College offers Pennsylvania Level I certification for its education programs. Pennsylvania certification is reciprocal with most of the 50 states. Generally speaking, if you hold a valid PA professional teaching license from a regionally accredited and state-approved teacher preparation program and pass the required state testing, you will be able to obtain a teaching license in another state. Wilson College has not made a determination of requirements for each state, so please click here for detailed requirements on all 50 states. You can view information on how teacher credentials cross state lines here.

An PA Instructional Level I certificate is valid for six years of service, during which time the following requirements must be completed: an approved induction program, 24 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work from a state approved, four-year degree-granting institution, and three years of satisfactory full-time service under contract in Pennsylvania. A person then qualifies for PA Level II certification.

Once a student has attained initial certification, s/he must adhere to Pennsylvania’s Act 48, which requires all teachers to complete six credit hours or 180 clock hours of professional development every five years in order to retain valid certification. This applies to both PA Instructional I and Instructional II certification.