Act 48 & Act 45

ACT 48

Act 48 of 1999 requires all Pennsylvania educators holding PDE public school certification (including Instructional I and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory, Letters of Eligibility, and all vocational certificates, employed or not) to participate in ongoing professional education.

  • Act 48 Requirements

    All professional educators must obtain six college credits or 180 hours of continuing professional education programs, activities or learning experiences or any combination of credits or activity hours equivalent to 180 hours every five years for all types and areas of certification to maintain active status. One college credit equals 30 activity hours. All credits and activity hours must be related to an educator's certificate type or area of assignment. The administrator may approve exceptions if a change of assignment area is anticipated.

    Effective July 13, 2016 - Legislation passed stipulates that if an educator exceeds the 180-hour requirement, within this current compliance period, up to 50 excess hours or credit-equated hours earned within the last two years of the current compliance period may be attributed to the succeeding five-year compliance period.  Kutztown University is not required to upload any more than the 180 + 50 excess hours.

ACT 45

Act 45 of 2007 amended several sections (1003, 1109, 1205.5, and 1217) of the Pennsylvania Public School Code to focus the preparation and continuing professional education of school and system leaders on the nine Pennsylvania Leadership Standards. This is commonly referred to as the "PIL legislation." 

  • Those Affected by Act 45

    All active school and system leaders employed in the following positions in Commonwealth districts and schools on or after January 1, 2008 are affected:

    • Principal
    • Assistant or Vice Principal
    • Superintendent
    • Assistant Superintendent
    • Intermediate Unit Executive Director
    • Intermediate Unit Assistant Executive Director
    • Director of an Area Career and Technical Education School

Additional Resources

Submitting Act 48 or 45 forms

Educators are responsible for filling out the appropriate form to receive credit for ongoing professional education. Students may only submit courses/professional development activities that are completed through Kutztown University. You can submit a form online or by printing out and mailing one.

      Mail physical forms to:

      Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
      College of Education
      231 Beekey Education Center
      PO Box 730
      Kutztown, PA 19530