On August 6, 2026, PA Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe announced that Pennsylvania has officially joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC), a multi-state agreement designed to make it easier for licensed, qualified teachers to move between states and get quickly back to work in the classroom — opening up a new avenue to strengthen Pennsylvania’s teacher pipeline and help schools hire experienced teachers.

The ITMC allows educators who hold eligible licenses in member states to more efficiently obtain equivalent certification in another member state. The ITMC is intended to reduce barriers for qualified educators, particularly those in military families, and to help states address persistent educator shortages.

Joining the ITMC helps member states expand their educator pipeline by lowering administrative barriers for out-of-state teachers and increasing the pool of qualified applicants for Pennsylvania schools, particularly in hard-to-staff subject areas and regions. It also provides support for military families by reducing licensure barriers for military spouses, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s commitment to workforce participation and family stability.