01
Mar
2025

PQAS Renewal Application Requirements

March 1, 2025

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.

Professional Development Instructors can create their own curriculum in any approved Professional Standard Area and are approved for five years, at which time an online renewal application must be submitted.

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.

Faculty Instructors can only provide Professional Development under the Higher Ed Institute they are employed at and are approved for five years, at which time an online renewal application must be submitted.

How To Apply For Initial PQAS

To apply for PQAS:

  1. Log into your PD Registry account at papdregistry.org.
  2. Check the Renew my PQAS Approval box and complete each section.
  3. Click Apply/Renew.
  4. Click Start.

You will provide the information in each of the steps below. Each step will be saved as you go. If you can’t complete all steps, you may come back and complete it later.

  • Personal InformationUpdate as needed, click Save and Continue
  • EducationUpload the required information, click Save and Continue
  • EmploymentUpdate as needed, click Save and Continue
  • TrainingUpdate as needed, click Save and Continue
  • Professional Development Plan & MoreNo information needed, click Save and Continue
  • Instructor InformationComplete Instructor Type, Age Group Expertise and additional information, click Save and Continue
  • ReviewReview information, ensure all items have an uploaded item for review, click Save and Continue
  • Policies/AgreementsPD Registry Privacy Policy: Review/Agree, click Save and Continue

    Instructor Agreement: Review information, click Save and Continue

  • PaymentFaculty Instructor approval or Standardized Professional Development Instructor approval including First Aid/CPR, Fire Safety, and Water Safety--- After you submit your PQAS application, the system will request payment, please skip this by clicking Return to My Profile. The fee will be waived when your application is processed.
  • Submit ApplicationClick Submit Application

Professional Development Instructor (PDI) Requirements

*Required documents can be found at pakeys.org/pqas.

Education

Higher Education

Bachelor’s transcripts from an accredited institution with a related field. Upload final transcripts that contain the name of the institution, the student’s name, the conferred date, the credits earned, the grade earned, all courses that were taken, and the major.

Instructor

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Must include evidence to support training experience within the last five years, AND summary of previous training experience including number of years and topics delivered.

  • Labeling: Curriculum Vitae (or) Resume
  • Upload Location: Upload within the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > Curricula Vitae/Resume dropdown.

*Professional Standard Area Support Form

Select only those areas that are appropriate for your experience and educational background, as supported by attached documentation. Supporting documentation for this could be college transcripts, Learning Record, any experience, etc.

  • Labeling: PSA Support form
  • Upload Location: Upload within the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > Professional Standards Area(s) Support dropdown.
Get Form

Professional Development Taught

Instructors must hold a minimum of five (5) Professional Development events within the PD Registry over the 5-year period to qualify for renewal.

This is verified within the Event Entry section of the PD Registry by the PQAS Team at the review of your application.

  • If not listed in the PD Registry, please list within a word document. Include: date, title, hours.
  • Upload Location: Upload within the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > Professional Standards Area(s) Support dropdown.

Supporting Handouts

Ensure all handouts are in order and correctly labeled within the Handout Section of the PD Module. Handouts can include PowerPoints, participant handouts, and other materials. For PowerPoints, add instructor notes, and provide URLs for any videos or web links in the notes section of the slides. Replace any personal details with ‘Instructor’ and ‘Instructor Contact Information’ (ex, replace “Jane Doe” with “Instructor”).

  • Labeling: When labeling handouts for upload, use the following format: Handout 1 ‘Title,’ Handout 2 ‘Title,’ and so on. The titles should match those listed within the Handout Section of the PD Overview. We need the physical handout. Do not include links to documents.
  • Upload Location: Upload materials to the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > PD Module Supporting Handouts dropdown.

Required Courses

PD Registry Self-Paced course

The following course are required for all PDI 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, click on ‘Search Training Events’ within the left-hand menu. Enter the Course Title and click Search. Next, click Register and follow the prompts. Once you have registered, click on the MY PD tab to get to the course. Next, click on the blue box to the right of the course title to begin the course. If one does not appear click the course title to be taken to the course details where a link to the course will be provided.

  • Overview of Keystone STARS: Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) (no cost)
  • Engaging Adult Learners Course ($7.00 fee)
  • The Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (no cost)
  • Submitting PQAS Courses in the PD Registry (no cost)

Application Fee

50.00

Standardized Professional Development Instructor (SPDI) Requirements - Pediatric First Aid/CPR; Fire Safety; Water Safety PQAS Only

Pediatric CPR/First Aid: To be eligible to provide Pediatric CPR/First Aid instruction under a PQAS Instructor certification, you must hold an instructor certification by at least one of the Pediatric CPR/First Aid curricula that are approved in meeting the childcare licensing regulation. View a complete list of approved Pediatric First/Aid CPR curriculum at pakeys.org/firstaid-cpr.

All PQAS approved instructors for Pediatric First Aid/CPR must have a current Pediatric First Aid/CPR instructor card uploaded to your education tab to maintain PQAS approval for Pediatric First Aid/CPR within the PD Registry.

Fire Safety: To be eligible to provide Fire Safety instruction under a PQAS Instructor certification, an individual must be knowledgeable and competent in fire inspections, fire detection, fire suppression systems and practices, fire service training, emergency preparedness planning and emergency evacuation whose competence is demonstrated by membership in a professional organization which promotes fire safety education.

Water Safety: To be eligible to provide Water Safety instruction under a PQAS Instructor certification, an individual must be knowledgeable and competent in water safety.

Education

High School

Graduation Year

Pediatric First Aid/CPR Instructor Card

  • Upload Location: Upload within the Education Tab > CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety Requirements Section > Pediatric CPR/First Aid Dropdown.

Fire Safety Instructor Certification

  • Upload Location: Upload within the Education Tab > CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety Requirements Section > Fire Safety Dropdown.

Lifeguard Instructor Card

  • Upload Location: Upload within the Education Tab > CPR, First Aid, Fire Safety Requirements section > Water Safety dropdown.

Application Fee

0.00

*After you submit your PQAS application it will request payment, please skip this by clicking on any tab or exiting your screen. If you do pay the application fee, you will be refunded when your application is processed.

Faculty Instructor Requirements

Faculty Instructors can only provide Professional Development under the Higher Ed Institute they are employed at.

Education Tab

Higher Education

Master’s degree from an accredited institution (diploma required; transcripts recommended) Upload final transcripts that contain the name of the institution, the student’s name, the conferred date, the credits earned, the grade earned, all courses that were taken, and the major.

Employment Tab

Employment

Faculty must have at least two years of experience, and be currently employed, as an instructor at an accredited institute of higher education. Employment must be listed to show currently employed as an instructor at an accredited institute of higher education.

Instructor Tab

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Must include evidence to support training experience within the last five years, AND summary of previous training experience including number of years and topics delivered.

  • Labeling: Curriculum Vitae (or) Resume
  • Upload Location: Upload within the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > Curricula Vitae/Resume dropdown.

Course Syllabi

Faculty need to have taught a minimum of four courses over the last two years. Upload proof of four courses taught within two years.

  • Labeling: Course Syllabi
  • Upload Location: Upload within the Instructor Tab > Trainer Documentation section > Course Syllabi dropdown

Application Fee

0.00

*After you submit your PQAS application it will request payment, please skip this by clicking on any tab or exiting your screen. If you do pay the application fee, you will be refunded when your application is processed.

PQAS Renewal Requirements

Last Updated: March 2025
Read this document as a PDF. >
Contact

pqas@pakeys.org
800-284-6031