Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    ​​Certification Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPGs)

    ​CSPG 67 - Military Science (JROTC) 7-12

    Modified: November 4, 2026
    Military Science (JROTC) Area Code 2083

    The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is a federally funded program of instruction for high school-aged students administered by the Armed Forces. The purpose of JROTC, according to 10 U.S.C. §2031, is "to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States (including an introduction to service opportunities in military, national, and public service), and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment."

    Grade Level Scope of Certificate

    An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania Military Science certificate is qualified to teach in grades 8-12 courses in JROTC programs.

    Certification Assignment 

    An educator holding a valid Pennsylvania Military Science certificate is qualified to teach courses in JROTC programs operated in public school entities of the Commonwealth.

    Special Considerations

    All certificated JROTC program staff are viewed as professional employees of the public school entity and are subject to personnel policies and procedures.  Certificate holders are subject to Act 48 professional development requirements. Military Science certificates are issued as a permanent certificate valid for 99 years.     

    Certification Clarifications 

    To obtain a Military Science certificate, the candidate must:

    1. Submit an online application to the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality via the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS); and 
    2. Submit a letter of qualification issued by the appropriate military training and development authority for the specific military branch operating the JROTC program.

    Restrictions 

    An educator holding only the Military Science certificate may not add instructional areas, including career and technical areas, via testing alone.

    References

    See the Certification Test and Score Requirements chart at Certification Testing for current testing information for this certification.

    Email the staffing specialist at ra-edcertstaff@pa.gov with any questions you may have regarding this certification and staffing.

    Program Specific Standards and Guidelines for Certification

    22 Pa. Code: Chapter 49 §49.11, §49.18, §49.141, §49.142, §49.143

    24 P.S. §§ 12-1202, 12-1207.2, 12-1212 and 16-1604

    This revision supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject.  Previous CSPG printing dates on this subject:  3/1975; 6/1978; 2/1982[JK2] ; 1/1987; 7/1994; 7/2004.

    Summary of Changes

    ​Date of Revisions
    		​Major Changes to CSPG #67
    11/4/2026
    • Edited for clarity.
    ​2/1/2023
    • Clarified that this certificate is issued as a permanent certificate valid for 99 years, as per Section 1207.2 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code.
    ​4/1/2014
    • Basic skills tests and additional education requirements were discontinued by Act 10 of 2014.
    • A candidate is considered qualified for the Military Science certificate when he/she holds: a letter of qualification issued by the military authority operating the specific ROTC/JROTC program in the Pa. public school.
    • Military Science is no longer a Vocational Instructional certificate.
    • Certificate title, effective 4/2014:
      • Military Science I (28)
      • Military Science II (29).
    • Certificate title and legend codes, effective 9/2012:
      • Vocational Military Science I (28)
      • Vocational Military Science II (29).
    • Vocational General Knowledge (7/1986) was replaced by PPST Mathematics (9/2008) as a requirement for the issuance of a Vocational II certificate.
    ​7/1/2004

    ​CSPG #067 – Military Science Programs

    • A Vocational I certificate issuance required passing test scores on the CBT (Computer-Based Testing) in the areas of Reading and Writing (6/1997).
    • The CBT’s were replaced by the PPST’s (1/1/2002).
    • A Vocational II certificate issuance required passing test scores on Vocational General Knowledge (7/1986) and Principles of Learning and Teaching (6/1997).
    • According to 1999 regulations a Vocational I certificate (issued after 10/1999) is valid for six (6) service years.
    ​7/1/1994

    ​CSPG # 087 – Staffing High School ROTC/JROTC Programs

    • Vocational I certificate is valid for seven (7) service years.
    • Vocational II certificate issuance required passing test scores on Vocational General Knowledge (7/1986) and Professional Knowledge (7/1986).
    • Support Staff are viewed as paraprofessional unless:
      • Educator holds a Military Science certificate.
    ​1/1/1987

    ​CSPG #087 – Staffing High School ROTC/JROTC Programs A candidate is considered qualified for the Military Science certificate when he/she holds 1) a letter of qualification issued by military authority operating the specific ROTC/JROTC program in the PA school entity for which certification is requested, and (2) a bachelor’s degree from a recognized four-year degree granting college or university.

    ​6/1/1978

    ​CSPG #077 – Staffing ROTC

    • Employees previously assigned to ROTC/JROTC under CSPG #077 of 3/1975 are grandfathered.
    • All newly certificated ROTC/JROTC instructors shall receive a vocational teacher certificate endorsed for “vocation instruction” with “military science” as the occupational area.
    • The ROTC/JROTC program shall not be considered a part of the school district’s vocational education program.
    • This certificate shall not qualify the teacher for other professional assignments in the employing school district.
    ​3/1/1975

    ​CSPG #077 – Staffing Civil Air Patrol, NROTC and ROTC Programs Any Level I or II certification in a secondary field may teach military (and aviation) subjects and courses within a reserve officer training corps, a naval reserve officer training corps (or a civil air patrol program) sponsored by a secondary school when the teacher has met the qualifications as established by the external sponsoring agency.