Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >Due to recent system updates on the PD Registry, callers may experience longer than average wait times on the phone. Send requests for assistance to registry@pakeys.org for a quicker response. Thank you so much for your patience during this time and we apologize for any inconvenience.
The Pennsylvania Key and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has implemented a system for approving individuals and organizations who provide professional development to early childhood and school-age professionals in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) maintains a registry of approved Professional Development Instructors to help ensure that professional development activities meet quality standards.
Current Approved PQAS Instructors and Professional Learning Organizations (PLOs) can find PD Registry tipsheets and more at pakeys.org/pdregistry/instructor-resources.
Before starting the online application, review the Individual PQAS Requirements for a complete list of required items for your PQAS application.
Prospective PQAS applicants need a free account in Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry (papdregistry.org) to complete the application process. Step-by-step directions to create or locate an account are available at pakeys.org/pdr-account.
NOTE: PQAS Application will be processed in the order they are received. First Aid/CPR PQAS applications will be processed within 30 days of a completed application. All other PQAS applications will be processed within 90 days of a completed application. Once processed, you will receive an email with your next steps. We appreciate your attention to these details and look forward to processing your application. If you have any questions, please email us at pqas@pakeys.org.
Any Instructor who wants to deliver professional development to early childhood or school-age professionals, should apply for PQAS approval.
To update your Instructor approval to a Professional Development Instructor, upload the required items to your Education section and Instructor Profile within your PD Registry account.
Once uploaded, email pqas@pakeys.org to notify us that your Professional Development Instructor application is ready for review and processing. Review the Professional Development Instructors Application/Requirements Guide for a complete list of requirements.
| Individual Application Types | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Faculty Instructors* | $0 |
| Professional Development Instructor | $100 |
|
Standardized Professional Development Instructor
|
$0 |
| Professional Development eLearning Instructor | $100 |
| Renewal: Professional Development Instructor | $50 |
| Renewal: Professional Development eLearning Instructor | $50 |
| Organization Application Types | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Organizational PQAS | $100 |
| Organizational PQAS-Act 48 | $100 |
| Organizational PQAS-Higher Ed. | $0 |
| Organizational eLearning PQAS | $750 |
| Renewal: Organizational PQAS | $50 |
| Renewal: Organizational PQAS-Act 48 | $50 |
| Renewal: Organizational PQAS-Higher Ed. | $0 |
| Renewal: Organizational eLearning PQAS | $500 |
The following self-paced courses are required for all PDI, Organizational and eLearning applicants. This is verified within the Event Entry section of the PD Registry by the PQAS Team at the review of your application.
To register:
To access the course (once registered):
If the blue box does not appear, click the course title to be taken to the course details where a link to the course will be provided.
Special Event/Conference approval is required for individuals who do not have their individual PQAS approval. This application may be used for instructors who aren’t PQAS approved. Individuals who have let their PQAS expire or have been denied, will not qualify for a temporary approval. If your Special Event/Conference is using all PQAS approved instructors, a Special Event/Conference application is not needed.
Applications should be submitted by an approved Professional Development Instructor or an approved PQAS Organization. Application must be submitted within 60 days of the conference/event.
Upon approval, a notice will be sent to the contact person listed below via email. It is the responsibility of the contact person to submit the conference for course approval in the PD Registry. Once the event has occurred, you will have two weeks to complete all necessary documentation in the system. For coding purposes, more information about the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators at pakeys.org/professional-competencies.
Some exclusions apply to Special Event PQAS approval including, but not limited to, the Specialty Discipline topics of: Fire Safety, Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Water Safety, and Mandated Reporting. These topics may be included in a Special Event if the instructor is individually PQAS approved for that topic. College courses do not qualify for Special Event PQAS.
When you submit your special event/conference application via email to pqas@pakeys.org, you will automatically receive a response that we have received your email. You will receive notification via email once your special event/conference application is approved or if we need additional information.
Subject Line: Special Event/Conference Application and additional documentation should be submitted to pqas@pakeys.org.
This series is designed to help you develop strategies to demonstrate cultural competence when providing professional development and build an environment that supports and encourages discussion about cultural and linguistic similarities and differences.
pqas@pakeys.org
1-800-284-6031