Application Status

Approved – This status will NOT display as an application, but the corresponding credential that was approved will appear under “Credentials” issued. Unofficial copies of the credential may be printed from the applicant’s TIMS dashboard. The TIMS record is considered the “official” record of certification. If a credential is “inactive” or “lapsed” it will NOT be available for printing.

Awaiting Evaluation – The application is waiting to be assigned to an evaluator. Applications are assigned based on the date the application becomes ready to review with all required documentation present in the application. Please check the Application Processing Status on the Teachers and Teacher Certification website, Application Processing Status to determine the approximate time required to reach the next step, “Review in Progress”.

Closed, Denied or Withdrawn – Applications are considered “closed” after one year and will NOT appear on the website. If an application has been in a pending status, the applicant will be notified by email that the application will be closed and a new application and fee will be required to apply for certification. Denied or withdrawn applications also will NOT be displayed on the website.

Documentation Received – Requested information arrived, was scanned, and will be reviewed by the evaluator.

Incomplete – The applicant must complete and submit the application. No action can be taken by the Department until the applicant completes and submits the application for processing.

Pending Additional Docs or Scanning – The evaluator requires additional information to make a decision. Check your email for details. If you sent the information, allow time for scanning. Once information is received and scanned the status of the application will change to “Documentation Received”. Refer to Pending Documentation or Scanning below for additional information.

Pending Additional Documentation - The evaluator requires additional information or a response from the applicant to make a decision. Check your email and TIMS dashboard for details.

Pending Documentation or Scanning – Proof documents, such as a health certificate or transcript, are needed or were submitted but not yet scanned. Missing items are listed on the cover sheet available on the TIMS dashboard. If all items were mailed, allow at two weeks for scanning from October through May; up to six weeks from June through September.

Pending Payment – Payment in the form of a money order must be sent with a cover sheet from the application awaiting payment available on the TIMS dashboard. Personal checks are not accepted.

Pending Test Score – One or more required test scores must be submitted directly by the test provider to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Applicants may view their test scores on file from the TIMS dashboard. If you identified Pennsylvania as a score recipient and sufficient time has elapsed for the score to be sent from the testing company to PDE, please contact PDE at 717-PaTeach (717-728-3224) and provide the necessary information.

Received – The application and proof documents are received and scanned. A final check is required before the status changes to “Awaiting Evaluation.” If this status does not update after a short period of time, please contact PDE by calling 717-PaTeach (717-728-3224).

Returned to Applicant by IHE/LEA - The applicant should review the application to correct the education, work experience or both sections. Clarification instructions are usually sent via email and/or TIMS message when the application is returned.

Review in Progress – An evaluator is reviewing the application. The length of time the application is under review is unpredictable as there are many variables. The evaluator will contact the applicant by email or through the TIMS messaging system on the TIMS dashboard if additional information is required. Approved certificates are not mailed; the applicant may view and print an unofficial copy of the credential from the TIMS dashboard.

Under Appeal – The applicant has requested that the decision be re-evaluated.

Waiting for Educ or Work Exp Verification – Education is verified by the institution where a teacher or educator preparation program was completed. Work experience is verified by present or former employers.

The verification must be completed online by Pennsylvania entities that are provisioned users (colleges, universities, public school districts) in the TIMS system (paper forms are not accepted).
Forms are included with the cover sheet when electronic verification is not possible. The applicant must mail the completed form with the cover sheet to PDE. Education or work experience from non-Pennsylvania or non-provisioned Pennsylvania entities must be completed using appropriate form (Links have been provided for forms available on the web):

PDE 338 A “Out of State/University Verification Form for Out-of-State graduates” for verification of completion of an approved teacher or educator preparation program.
PDE 338 V “Verification of Experience Form” for verification of work experience from non-provisioned or non-Pennsylvania entities.
PDE 338 VB “ Verification of Business Work Experience” for verification of business work experience when applying for a Vocational credential, Superintendent’s Commission or Commission Qualification Letter.
PDE 338 P “Application for Level II Certificate” for verification of successful work experience, induction program completion, and performance evaluations.

Only education or work experience RELEVANT to the credential being requested should be submitted.