​​​​CSPG 13 - Emergency Permits

A local education agency (LEA) or an eligible Pre-K Counts provider may request an emergency permit to fill a vacant position when it is unable to find a certified educator holding a valid and active certificate. 

General Policies

Emergency permits may be requested by the Chief School Administrator of the LEA when there is a permanent, temporary, or day-to-day opening for a professional employee. The permit is valid from the first day of the month of issuance through the last day of summer school in that school year.

The LEA is required to post any permanent or temporary vacancy for a minimum of 10 days on the school entity's website before submitting an initial or reissuance application for an emergency permit to fill the vacancy. Emergency permits can be requested after July 1 for the upcoming school year.

Definitions

Initial Application: The first emergency permit application in the desired subject area and type requested by an LEA for an individual.

Reissuance: The second or subsequent emergency permit application of the same subject area and type requested by the same LEA for the same individual.

Requirements and Procedures

Application Process:

1. The position candidate initiates and submits a permit request via the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS) at the request of the employing LEA.
2. When the request is received, the LEA selects the type of permit and subject area(s) through their TIMS dashboard, selects the payment method, and submits the application. Please note: The LEA determines who is responsible for the payment.
3. The position candidate or the LEA submits the documents listed on the TIMS coversheet.

Documentation Required for All Permit Types

1.    Transcripts – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) accepts transcripts three ways:

• Sent electronically from the college or university directly to ra-TeacherCert@pa.gov;
• Sent in an unopened, college-sealed envelope; or
• Sent from the employing LEA.

If the certifying officer received the electronic transcripts directly from the college or university or paper transcripts in an unopened college-sealed envelope, they may forward them to ra-TeacherCert@pa.gov with the following information in the email:

1. Name of LEA
2. Statement that the transcripts were “OFFICIAL" when received.
3. Name and title of person that received them.
4. Date they were received.

PDE will still accept paper transcripts mailed with the TIMS coversheet. However, the same information above must be written directly on the transcripts.

A transcript reflecting a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for all initial emergency permit requests except for the following:

• School Nurse
• Dental Hygienist
• Career & Technical (see CSPG #25)
• Teacher/Cultural Exchange (Type 08)
• Act 20 of 2026 Classroom Monitor Permit (Type 09)
• Pennsylvania-certified educators

Submission of transcripts to PDE is not required with applications requesting the following:

• Initial issuance of a Type 01 emergency permit
• Initial issuance of a Type 04 emergency permit
• Reissuance of a Type 04 emergency permit
• Type 06 emergency permits, unless randomly selected by PDE for audit 

The LEA must keep an official bachelor's or higher degree transcript in the educator's personnel file. The LEA will be required to submit the transcript to PDE if the candidate's application is selected for audit.

2.    A copy of the current and valid PA professional license indicated is required for:

• School Social Workers – Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• School Psychologists - Psychologist
• School Nurses – Registered Nurse (RN)
• School Speech – School Speech and Language Pathologists/Speech & Language Impaired – Speech Language Pathologist
• Dental Hygienists – Dental Hygienist

3.    A foreign evaluation report is required for individuals prepared outside the United States.

4.    Non-U.S. citizens must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States unless applying for world language. See CSPG 5 for specific details.

Types of Emergency Permit

Vacant Position with an Educational Obligation to Pursue Certification (Type 01): An LEA may request a Type 01 permit for a position that will exceed 20 consecutive days in a single assignment when the LEA anticipates future employment for the position. The following are examples of qualifying vacancies:

• New Position
• Resignation
• Termination
• Retirement
• Death

Initial Application Requirements:

• The educator agrees to enroll in a state-approved educator preparation program in the subject area(s) of the requested permit and complete the required number of credits as outlined below.
• The educator participates in ongoing professional development in compliance with 22 Pa. Code § 49.16.

Reissuance Requirements:

1.  Credits: Reissuance may be requested if the educator provides evidence of continued enrollment in a state-approved educator preparation program and has completed the required credits in the program.

First reissuance credit requirements are based on the date of the initial emergency permit issuance following the timeline below:

• August 1 – November 30 = 6 program credits
• December 1 – March 31 = 3 program credits
• April 1 – July 31 = proof of program enrollment

Second reissuance and all subsequent reissuances may be requested with proof of nine additional preparation program credits.

2.  Test Year: A permit may be reissued one time for testing purposes if all required testing has been attempted with at least one attempt after the last permit's effective date when either of the following is true:

• The educator holds an Instructional certificate and the subject area(s) of the permit is an Instructional Add-On area. The LEA must alert PDE that the permit is being requested based on testing. Any subsequent reissuance requires the completion of nine program credits; OR
• The educator’s certification preparation program was completed but credits required for reissuance were not. The LEA must alert PDE that the permit is being requested based on program completion and testing for one final reissuance. A transcript reflecting program completion is required.
  

In both cases, educators should be advised to apply for full certification upon the successful completion of required testing as no future permits will be issued to the LEA for the educator in the subject area(s) of the permit without the completion of nine program credits.

3.  Exceptional Case Reissuance at the request of the LEA will be considered for an educator who has not met reissuance requirements upon the receipt of an application and evidence of extenuating circumstances. Exceptional case reissuance of a Type 01 emergency permit based on extenuating circumstances should not be confused with Chapter 49.85(f) Exceptional Case Policy; see Certification Staffing.

Long-Term Substitute with No Educational Obligation (Type 04): An LEA may request a Type 04 permit for a temporary substitute position that will exceed 20 consecutive days in a single assignment and when future employment in the position is not anticipated by the LEA. Following are examples of these types of vacancies:

• Temporary coverage (i.e., sabbatical, medical, maternity, etc.);
• Coverage while recruiting; and
• Coverage for a position to be eliminated at the end of the school year.

Reissuance Requirements: A Type 04 permit can be reissued for an individual one time in the same subject area per LEA.

NOTE: 22 Pa. Code 49.16 requires LEAs to include a temporary substitute in induction programs if they remain in the assignment for more than 45 days. LEAs may include such individuals in staff professional development for assignments of less than 45 days.

Act 97 Waiver (Type 02): The Act 97 Waiver of Certification (Type 02 Emergency Permit) may be requested by an LEA for an individual facing furlough or who has already been furloughed or demoted by the LEA. Refer to CSPG 14 - Act 97 Waiver of Certification

• The permit lets the individual work in areas that they are not certified for one calendar year from the date of issuance.
• Posting is not required.

Day-to-Day Substitute (Type 06): A Type 06 permit is issued by the Department to qualify a person for service as a day-to-day substitute in any certificate area. If service exceeds 20 days for an individual professional or temporary professional employee, a long-term substitute permit (Type 04) is required. The 20-day limitation is not cumulative. An individual holding this permit may substitute for more than one professional or temporary professional employee during a school year.

Teacher/Cultural Exchange (Type 08): An individual is eligible to receive an Emergency Type 08 teacher/cultural exchange permit if all the following are met:

• The educator participates in a teacher/cultural exchange through a U.S. Department of State designated teacher exchange program sponsor. For a complete list of designated sponsors, go to BridgeUSA;
• The educator holds a J1 Visa;
• The educator holds a degree that is e     quivalent to a baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States;
• The educator has been sponsored by a commonwealth LEA to participate in the teacher/cultural exchange program;
• The educator is certified to teach in another country;
• The educator possesses good moral character; and
• The educator is proficient in the English language.

The LEA submits to PDE a verification letter of acceptance/participation from the U.S. Department of State designated teacher/cultural exchange program sponsor as the required emergency permit application documentation.

Type 08 permits are limited to one initial application and up to four subsequent applications (dependent upon the J1 Visa remaining valid).

A teacher/cultural exchange candidate cannot be used to fill an LEA vacancy.      

Classroom Monitor Permit (Type 09): The classroom monitor permit is a non-teaching permit which enables individuals to deliver student assignments preplanned by a professional or temporary professional employee. Monitors may not plan or create lessons or grade student work and may not serve in a single assignment for more than 20 cumulative school days of service in an academic year.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and thereafter an LEA may request a classroom monitor permit for an individual who meets the following requirements:

• Has completed at least 60 semester hours or the equivalent of courses at a regionally accredited college or university located in Pennsylvania OR has a least three years of experience as a paraprofessional in a school entity and is currently employed as a paraprofessional in a school entity,
• Meets pre-employment requirements for background clearances, citizenship, and good moral character under the School Code and Child Protective Services Law,
• Is at least 25 years of age, and
• Has completed a PDE-approved classroom management training at an intermediate unit.

The 2026-2027 Type 09 Classroom Monitor permit is a new permit and not a reissuance. Service on previous classroom monitor permits is not cumulative to this new permit. These new Type 09 Classroom Monitor Permits are valid until June 30, 2029.

Note Section 1218.2 of the School Code requires an individual who is issued this permit and is already employed by the LEA as a paraprofessional to be paid the higher of their existing contractual compensation or the compensation established by the school entity for day-to-day substitutes.

Locally Issued Day-to-Day Substitute (issued by the Chief School Administrator)

Certified Educators: An LEA may issue a day-to-day substitute permit to an educator holding a valid and active Pennsylvania or comparable out-of-state certificate.

• The educator must meet pre-employment requirements for background clearances, citizenship, and good moral character under the School Code and Child Protective Services Law.
• The educator may serve as a substitute for 20 school days for an individual professional or temporary professional outside of their certificate area. The 20-day limitation is not cumulative. An individual holding this permit may serve for multiple professional and temporary professional employees during a school year.
• The LEA must request a long-term substitute permit from PDE if service exceeds 20 days for an individual professional or temporary professional employee.
• The LEA is responsible for maintaining accurate records and evidence of the above requirements.

Individuals holding a valid and active Pennsylvania certificate or comparable out-of-state certificate may serve as a day-to-day substitute in the individual's certificate area for a period not exceeding 20 days.

Teacher Preparation Program Completers (Section 1215): An LEA may issue a day-to-day substitute permit to an individual who completed an approved educator preparation program when all the following criteria are met:

• The educator presents to the LEA a letter from a college or university verifying successful completion of an approved teacher preparation program, and completion of all requirements for awarding of a bachelor's degree on a date certain.
• The educator presents evidence to the LEA that they have completed all required certification testing or are in process of scheduling required certification testing, and
• The educator meets statutory requirements related to clearances and good moral character, and of the Child Protective Services Law.

The emergency permit expires upon termination of any summer school or upon issuance of an Instructional I certification. The LEA is responsible for maintaining accurate records and evidence of the above requirements being met.

The permit issued under this section may be used for assignments of more than 20 consecutive days to fill a position due to the absence of professional certified personnel.

Prospective Teacher Substitutes (Act 86 of 2016): An LEA may allow a prospective teacher to serve as a substitute if the individual:

• Is currently enrolled in a Pennsylvania-approved college or university educator preparation program;
• Has completed at least 60 semester hours or equivalent; and
• Meets all statutory requirements related to clearances, citizenship, and good moral character.

The individual may teach a maximum of 10 days for a single employee and a maximum of 20 days per school year.

Individuals fulfilling the student teaching experience per 22 Pa. Code § 354.25(f) may not substitute for longer than 10 days for a single professional employee or no more than 20 days total for the school year in their assigned classroom or classrooms or for other teachers within the building or buildings where they have been placed as a student teacher and must possess at least one satisfactory observation related to their student teacher program.

Reissuance provisions: The permit may be reissued for one additional year, as long as the educator:

• Provides proof of completion of an additional 15 credit hours or equivalent from a PDE-approved preparation program provider; and
• Remains enrolled in a PDE-approved preparation program.

The LEA is responsible for maintaining accurate records and evidence of the above requirements being met.

Special Considerations:

1. See CSPG 25 for career and technical emergency permit requirements.
2. Individuals holding an inactive or voluntary inactive Pennsylvania certificate may substitute for a total of 180 days per school year in their certificate area(s).
   • No permit is required to work in their certificate area(s) (24 P.S. § 12-1205.2).
   • A Type 06 emergency permit is required when the individual is working outside of their certificate area(s). Substituting for an individual professional or temporary professional employee outside of their certificate area beyond 20 days requires a Type 04 long term substitute permit.
   • These two options combined cannot exceed 180 days per school year.
3. Retired educators with a lapsed certificate may serve as day-to-day (Type 06) or temporary long-term (Type 04) substitutes. See Act 48 and Retirement FAQ for more information on retired educators and Act 48.
4. Emergency permits may not be issued for a candidate who:
   • Holds an expired Experienced-Based certificate in the subject area being requested;
   • Holds a lapsed Level I certificate; or
   • Voluntarily deleted the subject area being requested from their certificate.
5. The LEA is responsible for requesting emergency permits for substitute teachers provided to their LEA by private agencies or contractors.
6. Emergency permits may not be requested during a legal work stoppage or for the sole purpose of a candidate gaining requisite experience for a PA credential.
7. PDE does not issue emergency permits for Military Science.

References

22 Pa. Code §§49.16, 49.31, 49.32, 49.33, 49.34;

24 P.S. §§11-1114,12-1201.1, 12-1214, 12-1215, 12-1218.2

Related CSPGs

• CSPG 2 - Effective Dates for Certificate Issuance
• CSPG 5 - Evaluation of Credentials for Individuals Prepared Outside of the United States
• CSPG 14 - Act 97 Waiver of Certification
• CSPG 63 - Special Education - Speech and Language Impaired PK-12

This revision supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject. Previous CSPG printing dates on this subject: 3/75, 8/76, 1/87, 7/04, 6/08, 9/10, 12/15, 10/16, 1/17, 2/18.

Summary of Changes