What is PQAS?
The Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) is a statewide approval system implemented by The Pennsylvania Key and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to ensure quality professional development for early childhood and school‑age professionals across Pennsylvania.
PQAS maintains a registry of approved Professional Development Instructors and Professional Learning Organizations (PLOs), helping to ensure that professional development activities meet established quality standards.
Become A PQAS Professional Development Instructor (PDI)
Professional Development Instructors have the flexibility to create their own curriculum within any approved Professional Standard Area (PSA). Once approved, instructors maintain their status for five years, after which a simple online renewal application is required.
Processing Time
All PQAS applications are reviewed within 90 days of receiving a completed submission.
PDI Initial Application Process
Thinking about applying? Here’s what to expect:
- Applicant submits a completed application
- Internal review is conducted
- If the application is incomplete, an “incomplete” email is sent to the applicant
- If the application is complete, the module is sent to two peer reviewers
- Reviewer scores are returned and combined
- If the combined scores are 75 or higher, the applicant passes
- Scoring results and approval or denial information are emailed to the applicant
PDI Initial Application Checklist
Make sure your application includes:
- Bachelor’s Transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Professional Standard Area Support Form
- Professional Development Module
- Supporting Handouts
- 4 Required Courses
- Payment of $100
Please review the Professional Development Instructors Application/Requirements Guide for steps on how to apply or renew, along with detailed requirements.
PDI Renewal Application Process
Already approved? Keep your status active by renewing every five years.
Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS) renewal applications should be submitted sixty (60) days prior to expiration.
UPDATED! If a PQAS approval has been expired for more than one (1) year, the applicant will be required to submit a new initial PQAS application. Previous approval status will not be reinstated after this period, and all current application requirements must be met at the time of reapplication.
- Applicant submits a completed application
- Internal review is conducted
- If the application is incomplete, an “incomplete” email is sent to the applicant
- Once application is completed approval or denial information are emailed to the applicant
PDI Renewal Application Checklist
- Bachelor’s transcripts (should already be verified from initial application)
- Curriculum vitae or resume (only needed if updated since last application)
- Professional Standard Area Support Form (only needed if requesting PSAs you are not currently approved for)
- Professional Development Taught (verified within the Event Entry section of the PD Registry)
- 4 Required Courses (should have been completed at the time of the last application)
- Payment of $50
Please review the Professional Development Instructors Application/Requirements Guide for steps on how to apply or renew, along with detailed requirements.
Become A PQAS Faculty Instructor (FI)
UPDATED! Faculty Instructors have the flexibility to provide professional development to early childhood educators either through the higher education institution where they are employed AND independently, in any approved Professional Standards Area and are approved for five years, at which time an online renewal application must be submitted.
Processing Time
All PQAS applications are reviewed within 90 days of receiving a completed submission.
Faculty Instructor Application Process
- Applicant submits a completed application
- Internal review is conducted
- If the application is incomplete, an “incomplete” email is sent to the applicant
- Once application is completed approval or denial information are emailed to the applicant
UPDATED! FI Application Checklist:
- Proof of Employment
Requirements are the same for both initial and renewal FI applications. Please review the Faculty Instructors Application/Requirements Guide for steps on how to apply, along with detailed requirements.
Become a PQAS Standardized Professional Development Instructor (SPDI)
Standardized Professional Development Instructors are authorized to provide only specific, pre- approved professional development related to early childhood education.
If approved solely for Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Fire Safety, and/or Water Safety you are not permitted to create or deliver any curriculum outside those approved training(s).
PQAS approval will expire on the date the Instructor’s Pediatric First Aid/CPR instructor card expires, at which time, an online renewal application must be submitted.
Please review the Standardized Professional Development Instructors Application/Requirements Guide for steps on how to apply or renew, along with detailed requirements
Processing Time
All PQAS applications are reviewed within 30 days of receiving a completed submission.
Tips for Uploading Supporting Documentation
- Upload all required documents within the Instructor Information area of the application.
- Then within the “Instructor Documentation” section and within the “appropriate” dropdown.
- Select the +File button to upload, then select the appropriate File Type from the dropdown menu.
Current Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Fire Safety, and/or Water Safety PQAS Instructors
To add or update your PQAS permissions prior to your PQAS approval expiration, please upload your current instructor card by:
- Navigate to the “View Instructor Info” section (upper left corner)
- Upload your instructor card(s) within the “Instructor Documentation” section and within the “appropriate” dropdown.
Once uploaded, please email pqas@pakeys.org with your full name and Registry ID# to request your permissions to be updated for [Pediatric First Aid/CPR, Fire Safety, Water Safety].
NOTE: Uploading your card does not automatically complete the update. You must notify pqas@pakeys.org so the PQAS team can review and verify your information before the update is finalized.
After You’re Approved
Congratulations! Once approved as a PQAS Instructor! You will receive an approval email with helpful system resources and guidance.
Course Submission & Review for Professional Development Instructors and Faculty Instructors
Your courses will go through a streamlined review process:
- All courses are reviewed within 10 business days of submission.
- Course titles and descriptions are reviewed to ensure they are clear and accurately reflect the content.
- Courses are checked to confirm they are not restricted to certified individuals and do not include trademarked content.
- The course level and PSA objectives are reviewed to ensure they align with each other and the course topic.
- The Pennsylvania Key verifies that the selected PSAs are approved or the instructor.
- CDA hours are also reviewed to ensure individuals working toward a CDA receive the correct hours in the appropriate content areas.
PQAS Event Scheduling & Roster Reminders
To help ensure PQAS hours are recorded accurately and without issues, please review the following reminders when scheduling and completing events in the PD Registry.
Courses must be fully approved before the event date, and events should be entered into the PD Registry prior to the training taking place. Event hours must align with the approved course hours, and any differences between the scheduled event time and approved hours must be clearly explained in the Add’l Date/Time Info section of Event Details so instructional time is recorded accurately.
Additional details should be included in the Add’l Date/Time Info section in these situations:
- The event time is longer than the approved course hours
- Example: Approved course hours are 3 hours, but the event is scheduled from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM.
- The Add’l Date/Time Info section should explain how the additional time is used, such as breaks, registration time, or other non‑instructional activities.
- Instructional time occurs outside the in‑person event
- Example: Approved course hours are 4 hours, but the in‑person event is scheduled from 2:00–5:00 PM.
- The Add’l Date/Time Info section should explain how the remaining instructional time is delivered, such as pre‑work, reflection activities, assignments, or follow‑up work completed outside of the in‑person session.
Scheduling events in advance and clearly documenting instructional time helps ensure courses are delivered as approved and that instructional time and participant records remain consistent.
After an event is held, rosters must be complete and accurate within two weeks, including marking the event as complete. Instructors are also expected to communicate with participants about when the training will be verified and appear on their Professional Development Learning Record as PQAS hours. Timely and accurate roster management helps ensure PQAS hours are recorded without confusion or follow‑up.