PDE-APPROVED ACT 48 PROVIDER

We Upload Your Pennsylvania Act 48 Hours
to PERMS — Same Day, 7 Days a Week

Q: How does the PERMS upload work?

You finish the course, email us your PPID and course completion confirmation, and we upload your Act 48 hours directly to PERMS — the same day, 7 days a week. No third-party submission. No waiting weeks for credit to post. You can verify our PDE approval in the official PERMS provider search by entering “For Teachers By Teachers” in the Provider Name box.

Q: How long does it take to appear in PERMS?

Most teachers see their Act 48 hours appear in PERMS within 24 hours after sending us their PPID. Our team is available 7 days a week and uploads your hours the same day you complete your course. (Same-day upload applies once you've been enrolled at least 7 days.)

Q: Is the $190 graduate credit transcript fee required?

No — the $190 fee is completely optional. You only pay it if you want the optional 3 graduate-level PD credits on a university transcript (for salary lane movement, or to have PDE count the course as 90 Act 48 hours in place of the 45). We upload your 45 Act 48 hours to PERMS the same day you finish, 7 days a week, with no extra fee. If you do want the graduate credits, you can pay the $190 transcript fee anytime — including after you finish the course. The payment link sits inside your online classroom, ready when you need it.

Q: Can I use these credits toward my Pennsylvania Level II certificate?

Yes. To convert an Instructional I to a Level II (Instructional II) certificate, PDE requires 24 semester credits earned after your bachelor's degree at a regionally or nationally accredited (or state-approved), degree-granting college or university, documented on an official transcript — online courses included. Each course you take with the optional UMass Global credits adds 3 graduate credits on an official letter-grade transcript from University of Massachusetts Global, which is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). PDE also requires at least 6 of your 24 credits to be in your certification area or designed to improve professional practice — exactly what our courses are built for. Bonus: if your official transcript goes to PDE, those same 3 credits count as 90 Act 48 hours in place of the 45, so each course works toward both requirements at once. One heads-up: Act 48 hours by themselves do not count toward the 24 credits — only college credits do. Once you have your 24 credits, three years of satisfactory service, and your completed induction program, you apply for Level II through PDE's TIMS system. Want the complete step-by-step? Our Pennsylvania Level II certification guide walks through the entire Instructional I to Instructional II conversion.

Q: If I use my credits for Level II, can they also count toward Act 48 and salary advancement?

Yes — if we did not upload that course's 45 Act 48 hours to PERMS, the same 3 credits can do triple duty. PDE confirms that collegiate credits earned for Level II certification can also be applied toward your Act 48 requirement, as long as they were earned during your current five-year Act 48 compliance period. Each semester credit is worth 30 Act 48 hours, so one 3-credit UMass Global course gives you 90 Act 48 hours (in place of the 45 we'd otherwise upload for that course) and 3 of your 24 Level II credits at the same time. Helpful tip straight from PDE: if your transcript went to their Certification Division for your Level II application, email RA-EDACT48@PA.GOV and ask for those same credits to be applied to your Act 48 record. Salary lane movement is the third use — salary schedules are set district-by-district through collective bargaining agreements, and many Pennsylvania districts award lane movement for graduate credits, so a quick check with your HR or payroll office confirms how your district counts them.

Q: How many courses do I need for Act 48 or Level II?

Here's the quick math. Your Act 48 requirement is 180 hours every five years, so a full cycle is 4 courses at 45 Act 48 hours each — the 4-Course Bundle covers it exactly — or just 2 courses if you choose 3 graduate-level PD credits instead, since PDE counts each course's 3 credits as 90 Act 48 hours in place of the 45. For Level II certification, PDE requires 24 post-baccalaureate credits, and each course taken for credit adds 3 — so 8 courses taken for credit covers the full requirement on your timeline, alongside any post-bacc credits you've already earned. Mixing and matching works too: many teachers combine credits they already have with a few courses to close the gap.

Q: Will my Pennsylvania district accept these credits for salary lane movement?

Salary schedules in Pennsylvania are set district-by-district through collective bargaining agreements, and many PA districts award lane or column movement for graduate credits on an official transcript. Your UMass Global transcript is an official letter-grade transcript from a regionally accredited university — exactly the documentation HR offices ask for. Because every CBA is different, a quick check with your HR or payroll office before enrolling is always a good move. And if your district needs anything from us — syllabi, receipts, or an itemized invoice — just email info@forteachersbyteachers.org and we'll get it to you.

Q: Are these real graduate-level university credits?

Yes. The optional credits are graduate-level, non-degree semester credits issued by University of Massachusetts Global, regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), on an official letter-grade transcript. They're the same type of credit Pennsylvania teachers commonly use for Act 48, Level II certification, and district salary lane movement.

Q: How long do I have to finish the course?

All courses are 100% self-paced, so you can start and finish on your timeline. There are no live meetings, no assignment due dates from us, and no busywork.

Q: What if I enroll and it's not the right fit?

We offer a 7-day refund window. Enroll, log in, preview the course materials, and if it's not what you expected, email us within 7 days for a refund.

Pennsylvania's most trusted, teacher-friendly way to complete Act 48 and advance your salary.

45 Act 48 hours per course, at your own pace — most teachers see their hours in PERMS within 24 hours.

Trusted by 10,000+ educators nationwide since 2015.

Explore All Act 48 Courses

✅ Earn 45 Act 48 Hours Per Course + Optional 3 Graduate Level Professional Development (PD) Credits
✅ We Upload Your Hours to PERMS Same-Day, 7 Days a Week
✅ Graduate Level PD Credits — Optional 3-credit transcript from UMass Global — use it for your district salary lane alongside your 45 Act 48 hours, or have it sent to PDE to count as 90 Act 48 hours in place of the 45
✅ Level II Certification — The optional 3 graduate credits per course count toward the 24 post-baccalaureate credits PDE requires to convert your Instructional I to Instructional II
✅ 100% Online & Self-Paced — No Start Dates, No Deadlines
✅ PreK–12 Relevant — Across All Content Areas and Roles
✅ 7-Day Refund Window — Try any course risk-free
✅ PDE-Approved Act 48 Provider — Click here to verify in PDE PERMS (select "View Approved Providers" and enter For Teachers By Teachers in the Provider Name box)

Welcome, Pennsylvania Teachers! For Teachers By Teachers is an online professional development company for PreK–12 teachers, founded in 2015, with university partner UMass Global. If you're looking for the most trusted and teacher-friendly way to meet Act 48 requirements, renew your certificate, and earn university credits towards salary advancement — you're in the right place.

Pick Your Pennsylvania Path

One course or a stack of hours — either way, we upload to PERMS the same day you finish.

Single Course

$165

45 Act 48 hours per course. Start anytime, finish at your own pace, and we upload your hours to PERMS the same day you're done.

Browse Act 48 Courses

Best Value · 4-Course Bundle

$399 save $261

180 Act 48 hours across 4 courses (vs. $660 separately). Complete all four at once or one at a time — no deadlines.

Get the 4-Course Bundle

Want graduate-level professional development (PD) credit too? Add the optional UMass Global letter-grade transcript for $190 per course — even after you finish. Those 3 credits count toward the 24 post-baccalaureate credits PDE requires for Level II certification. Have your official transcript sent to PDE and PDE counts them as 90 Act 48 hours in place of the 45 — or keep the 45 hours we upload and use the credits for your district salary lane only.

How It Works — Three Simple Steps

Complete the Course: Start anytime. 100% online and self-paced — no live meetings, no deadlines.
Email Us Your PPID + Course Completion Confirmation: Send to Act48PD@forteachersbyteachers.org.
We Upload Your Act 48 Hours to PERMS — Same Day, 7 Days a Week: No waiting on us. Most teachers see their hours in PERMS within 24 hours of submitting their PPID. (Same-day upload applies once you've been enrolled at least 7 days.)

Want graduate-level PD credit too? After your course is complete, request your letter-grade transcript from UMass Global — the $190 transcript fee is optional and can be paid anytime.

UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION

Graduate Level Professional Development (PD) Credit From a Regionally Accredited Partner

Our university partner is regionally accredited, and PDE accepts accredited institutions for graduate coursework toward Act 48.

UMass Global — letter-grade transcripts

University of Massachusetts Global is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). View Pennsylvania Courses →

Need a course number for district approval?

Each UMass Global course has its own number. See all UMass Global course numbers.

Pennsylvania Teacher FAQ

How does the PERMS upload work?

You finish the course, email us your PPID and course completion confirmation, and we upload your Act 48 hours directly to PERMS — the same day, 7 days a week. No third-party submission. No waiting weeks for credit to post. You can verify our PDE approval in the official PERMS provider search by entering "For Teachers By Teachers" in the Provider Name box.

How long does it take to appear in PERMS?

Is the $190 graduate credit transcript fee required?

Can I use these credits toward my Pennsylvania Level II certificate?

If I use my credits for Level II, can they also count toward Act 48 and salary advancement?

How many courses do I need for Act 48 or Level II?

Will my Pennsylvania district accept these credits for salary lane movement?

Are these real graduate-level university credits?

How long do I have to finish the course?

What if I enroll and it's not the right fit?

New to Act 48? Where should I start?

Browse All Act 48 Courses Now

Instant access after checkout • Mobile-friendly

Why Teachers Choose For Teachers By Teachers Courses

Real feedback from educators nationwide:

★★★★★

"Without exaggeration, your courses are the most enjoyable of all, and I've taken a lot of PD courses! What distinguishes your courses from other courses isn't only the format, but the life enriching content that makes us grow as human beings, as well as educators. I can apply what I learn in your classes in my personal life too, outside of school." — I.F., Middle School Teacher

★★★★★

"I LOVED this course and cannot thank you enough for continuing to make professional development that is do-able, worthwhile, and affordable for teachers." — K.H., Elementary Teacher

★★★★★

"This has been one of the most enjoyable professional development sessions I have taken in a long time." — B.C., High School Teacher

★★★★★

"I really sincerely think your classes have enriched my life beyond words could express. Thank you for making me better!" — T.B., Elementary Teacher

★★★★★

"My passion for being an educator has been refreshed!" — C.S., Student Services Coordinator

★★★★★

"This was an amazing ride – I enjoyed every lesson, every video, and every assignment!" — L.S., Grades 3–5 Teacher

★★★★★

"Enrolling in this course was one of the best things that I've done to help me succeed in my profession." — K.L., High School Teacher

★★★★★

"This course was a goldmine! It has been the most organized and well-planned PD that I've ever participated in. I plan on taking every class that For Teachers By Teachers has to offer." — A.B., Middle School Teacher

★★★★★

"This was my first online professional development course. I found it to be organized, well presented, interesting and most importantly inspiring! The effort, skill, and dedication to helping teachers and students succeed is evident and so appreciated." — M.B., Kindergarten Teacher

✅ PDE-Approved Act 48 Provider

Confirm For Teachers By Teachers in the official PDE PERMS system.
Provider Name: For Teachers By Teachers
AUN: 300000925

Choose "View Approved Providers."
Type For Teachers By Teachers in Provider Name.
Press "Search" to see our active listing.

Open PDE Provider Search (PERMS)

Questions? We're here to help: info@forteachersbyteachers.org

Purchase Orders Accepted — Click for PO Instructions →

We Upload Your Pennsylvania Act 48 Hours to PERMS — Same Day, 7 Days a Week

Pick Your Pennsylvania Path

How It Works — Three Simple Steps

Graduate Level Professional Development (PD) Credit From a Regionally Accredited Partner

Pennsylvania Teacher FAQ

Why Teachers Choose For Teachers By Teachers Courses

We Upload Your Pennsylvania Act 48 Hours
to PERMS — Same Day, 7 Days a Week