On April 9, 2021, Dr. Kerry W. Helm, Chief of the Division of Certification Services, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality, released a PennLink communiqué titled Act 136 of 2020 Extension of Type 01 Emergency Permits. That message stated that Act 136 of 2020 amended Section 1207.4(a)(5) of the School Code to permit the Secretary of Education to extend an emergency permit issued during the 2020-21 school year at the request of an employing school entity when the employee is unable to complete the requirements associated with the permit because the program credits or assessment could not be completed or scheduled.

So, what does it mean? It means that the extension provides qualified permit holders one additional year on the Type 01 permit to comply with the credit or assessment requirements of the Type 01 permit. Educators who have been issued a Type 01 emergency permit during the 2020-21 school year must be working to become permanently certified and be unable to meet the specific criteria associated with the Type 01 permit to obtain an extension.

 And, how does it work? Educators apply for a Type 01 emergency permit at the request of the employing school entity indicating they are eligible for the extension because they were unable to complete the credit requirements or assessment(s). Applicants must complete the verification form attesting to their inability to complete the credits or assessment requirements. The form can be found on the Department’s website at Fees and Forms. Resources for additional guidance can be found at: PDE Certification Information. Interested parties can also email [email protected] or call 717 PA TEACH for additional information.