Before you search
How to find the right Pennsylvania record
- 1Open Pennsylvania's TIMS page and choose Search TIMS in the Search section.
- 2Search for the educator in the public certification site and open the matching record.
- 3Review the certificate status and any application information separately; an application in progress is not an issued certificate.
What the public record can answer
Pennsylvania educator certification information maintained in TIMS
The validity and active status of an issued Pennsylvania certificate
Pending application information when PDE includes it in the public record
Record timing
PDE separates a submitted application from one that is ready for evaluation. Statuses can include school or work-experience verification, pending documentation and awaiting evaluation, so read Track Progress before estimating the remaining wait.
No result does not mean no license
- •Check the educator's name and make sure you opened the public Search TIMS link from Pennsylvania's current page.
- •If you are the educator, sign in to your personal TIMS dashboard and review Applications in Process.
- •Use Track Progress in TIMS to see whether PDE is waiting for school verification, documents or an evaluator.
Issued certificate vs. pending application
Pennsylvania tells applicants to use Applications in Process on the TIMS dashboard, then open Track Progress for the exact follow-up. The state also says its public certification website can show application status, but the private dashboard is where the applicant can see what PDE still needs.
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Pennsylvania lookup questions
Is this the official Pennsylvania teacher certification lookup?
The search button opens the system maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. TeachPassport explains the process but does not copy, alter or certify the agency's record.
What can the Pennsylvania lookup tell me?
Pennsylvania educator certification information maintained in TIMS; The validity and active status of an issued Pennsylvania certificate; Pending application information when PDE includes it in the public record. The agency controls which fields and historical records are public.
Why can't I find a teaching certificate from Pennsylvania?
Check the educator's name and make sure you opened the public Search TIMS link from Pennsylvania's current page. If you are the educator, sign in to your personal TIMS dashboard and review Applications in Process. Use Track Progress in TIMS to see whether PDE is waiting for school verification, documents or an evaluator.
Can I use the public lookup to check a pending application?
Pennsylvania tells applicants to use Applications in Process on the TIMS dashboard, then open Track Progress for the exact follow-up. The state also says its public certification website can show application status, but the private dashboard is where the applicant can see what PDE still needs.
Does a certificate from Pennsylvania automatically transfer to another state?
No. The destination agency decides which credential, endorsements, tests and remaining conditions apply. An issued source license is evidence for that application, not an automatic transfer.
Does TeachPassport collect the information I search?
The public search runs on Pennsylvania's certification system. TeachPassport does not receive the educator name, PPID, application information or certificate record.
What does the $49 TeachPassport plan do?
It turns your existing credential, experience, subject, grades and destination into an ordered live move plan. The one-time purchase includes future moves and requirement updates.
Official sources
Checked 2026-08-02 · Check again by 2026-11-02