Professional Development Instructors Application/Requirements Guide

Individuals who meet the education and training experience requirements may apply to become a Professional Development Instructor (PDI). Approved PDIs may develop and deliver professional development in approved Professional Standard Areas and are approved for a five-year period, after which a renewal application must be submitted. 

PQAS Application will be processed in the order they are received. PQAS applications will be processed within 90 days of a completed application. Once processed, you will receive an email with your next steps.   

Review the steps and requirements below before beginning the PQAS Application. 

If you have any questions, please email us at PQAS@pakeys.org.

Before applying, please confirm that you meet the education and training experience requirements and have the documentation needed to verify your qualifications. 

Education Documentation 

• Bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited institution in a related field. Transcripts must include the institution’s name, student’s name, degree conferral date, major field of study, all courses completed, credits earned, and grades received. 

Curriculum Vitae or Résumé  

• The Curriculum Vitae/Résumé should include a summary of previous training experience within the past five years, specifying the number of years of experience and the topics or subject areas delivered. 

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All four required courses must be completed prior to submitting your PQAS application. 

1. Overview of Keystone STARS: Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) 
2. Engaging Adult Learners – Online Course  
3. The Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators 
4. Submitting PQAS Courses in the PD Registry 

To register:  

1. Select  Search Training Events (left-hand menu). 
2. Enter the Course Title. 
3. Select  Search. 
4. Select Register and follow the prompts.  

To access/complete the course:  

1. Select View All My Training to see your Training Summary.   
2. Select the blue Manage button to the right of the course title. 
3. Select E-Learning to begin the module.  

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Professional Development (PD) Module  

Complete and save your Professional Development (PD) Module. The Professional Development (PD) Module Instructions and Template provide important guidance for developing your module and should be reviewed thoroughly before and during development. Modules are evaluated using the PQAS Module Scoring Rubric; applicants should use the rubric as a guide throughout the development process to ensure all requirements are addressed and submission expectations are met. 

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Professional Standard Area (PSA) Support Form 

Complete the Professional Standard Area (PSA) Support Form and select only the Professional Standard Areas that you can support with education, training, and experience documentation.  

If your supporting documentation has already been uploaded and is available in the system, you do not need to upload it again in the Instructor Documentation section. Only upload documentation that is not already on file. 

Supporting documentation is required for each selected area and may include: 

• College transcripts 
• Learning Record 
• Certificates of completion 
• Employment history 
• Other relevant evidence demonstrating your qualifications 

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A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to apply for Professional Development Instructor (PDI) approval. This fee covers the review of the application and submitted module and provides access to the PD Registry for a five-year period. 

To submit payment:  

1. Register for PQAS Initial Application Fee for Professional Development Instructor Review in the PD Registry. 
2. Pay the application fee through your event registration. 

Payment will be verified by the PQAS Team during the application review process. 

If a submitted module does not pass review, a revised module must be resubmitted, and an additional $100 review fee will be required. 

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Before submitting your application, ensure you have completed all requirements and have the required materials ready: 

Required Completion Items 

• Completed all four required courses 
• Paid the $100 application fee 

Required Materials 

• Bachelor’s Transcript(s) 
• Curriculum Vitae/Résumé 
• Professional Standard Area (PSA) Support Form 
• Professional Development (PD) Module 
• PD Module Handouts (if applicable) 

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1. Log into your PD Registry account.
   • If you do not have a PD Registry account, create one by following the directions at How to Create or Location Your PD Registry Account.
2. Select Apply for Career Pathway/DC/PQAS.
3. Select
   • Complete my Profile (Career Pathway) 
   • Apply to become a PQAS Instructor
4. Select Next.
5. Select Review next to each section to make updates as instructed, then select Save/Confirm for each section. If you are unable to complete all steps at once, you can return and finish later.
   • Personal Information: Update as needed
   • Education: Upload bachelor’s transcripts or higher-level degree transcripts
   • Employment: Update as needed
   • Training: Ensure you have completed the four required courses
   • Professional Membership/Contributions: Optional but not required
   • Instructor Information 
     • Instructor Type: Professional Development Instructor (PDI) 
     • Select Edit by your name to add Instructor Information 
     • Age Group Expertise: Select all that apply. 
     • Professional Standard Areas: Select only the Professional Standard Areas that match those identified on your Professional Standard Area Support Form. 

Instructor Documentation 

Upload the required instructor documentation listed below. Ensure all documents are complete and uploaded using the appropriate File Type before submitting your application. 

How to Upload Required Documents 

1. 1. 1. Select Edit. 
      2. Select + File and upload a required document. 
      3. Select the appropriate File Type from the dropdown menu. 
      4. Select Save. 
      5. Repeat Steps 2-5 for all required documents. 

Required Instructor Documents 

• • • Curriculum Vitae/Resume 
    • Professional Standard Area (PSA) Support Form 
    • Professional Development (PD) Module 
    • PD Module Handouts (if applicable)  

NOTE: PD Module Handouts should be named according to the requirements outlined in the PD Module Template.

Final Submission 

1. Select Review Application once all the above sections are reviewed/confirmed. 
2. Review Application
   1. Review all information and ensure all required items have been uploaded for review. 
   2. Select the Terms & Agreement link. You must open the link before you can proceed with submitting your application. 
   3. Select Review/Agree to the PD Registry Policies & Instructor Agreement. 
   4. Select Agree to Terms. 
   5. Select Submit. 

PQAS Application will be processed in the order they are received. PQAS applications will be processed within 90 days of a completed application. Once processed, you will receive an email with your next steps.   

If you have any questions, please email us at PQAS@pakeys.org.

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