HB 1407 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department and providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and abrogating a regulation .

HB 1407 updates Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules, effective July 1, 2027. It establishes new grade spans for certificates: "Primary" (pre-K through grade 6), "Secondary" (grades 7-12), and "Specialized" (pre-K through grade 12). Current teachers with early childhood certificates can add grades 5-6 by passing an assessment or earning continuing education credits, while those with elementary/middle certificates can expand to grades 7-12 using similar pathways. The bill also requires teacher preparation programs to adjust coursework and field placements for early childhood certification, and abrogates outdated regulations inconsistent with these changes.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jul 2025

House Passage

Jul 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced May 5, 2025 Last action Jul 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1605 → Printer's No. PN2106 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill update expands the scope of teacher certification by adding new grade spans and age levels, specifically allowing Elementary/Middle certificates to cover grades 6-12 and Secondary certificates to cover grade 6. It introduces new requirements for teacher preparation programs to include specific early childhood coursework and establishes pathways for educators to expand their certification scope. The effective date for these new grade spans and the restriction of new candidates for certain certificates was adjusted to July 1, 2027.

Scope change

The bill now covers expanded grade spans for instructional certificates, including the ability for Elementary/Middle and Secondary certificates to cover grade 6, and adds specific requirements for early childhood coursework in teacher preparation programs.

TIMELINE

The deadline for restricting new candidates for specific certificates and the effective date for new grade spans were changed from December 31, 2025, and June 1, 2027, to July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that teacher preparation programs require individuals pursuing Elementary/Middle certificates to complete at least 30 credit hours of specific early childhood coursework.

New pathways were established for educators to expand their certificate scope through continuing education credits or qualifying assessment scores.

SCOPE

New grade spans were added allowing Elementary/Middle certificates to cover grades 6-12 and Secondary certificates to cover grade 6.

DEFINITION

A specific definition for 'Early Childhood' was added, covering pre-kindergarten through grade 3 or ages 3 through 8.

Floor votes · House Jul 14, 2025

How they voted

202–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 203

Jul 14, 2025

D Democratic102

102 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican101

100 Yea 1

99% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jul 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

upper

Jul 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Jul 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Jul 9, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

May 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as committed

lower

May 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

lower

1 primary · 18 co-sponsors