Career and Technical Education

Accreditation System for Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education

Accreditation System for Public Postsecondary Career and Technical Education

New accreditation applications will not be accepted until 2024.  

The Pennsylvania State Board of Career and Technical Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an authority for the approval of public postsecondary career and technical education (PPCTE) institutions and programs offered at career and technical education institutions that are not offered for college credit. This recognition establishes the State Board as the accrediting body for PPCTE in Pennsylvania. It further requires the State Board to establish policies and standards pertaining to the accreditation process.

In response to its mission to lead and serve the educational community to enable each individual to grow into an inspired, productive, and fulfilled lifelong learner, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is accrediting postsecondary institutions and programs in the commonwealth whose programs equal or exceed 300 instructional hours, have credentialed instructors, and are administered separately from the secondary programs.

The accreditation process is voluntary and facilitates the documentation of internal processes and procedures that comprise a high quality postsecondary education. Once accredited, institutions may register their programs with Title IV, which makes available federal financial assistance to students.  Programs exceeding 300 hours are eligible for low interest student loans and programs exceeding 600 hours are eligible for Pell Grants.

Program standards have been developed in an effort to promote a high commitment to excellence and continued improvement of career and technical education in Pennsylvania.

The Accreditation Guidelines document includes the application, annual operational report, appeal process and other topics.

​Career and Technical Centers Accredited by the Pennsylvania State Board for Vocational Education

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
540 North Harrison Road
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
Date of Initial Accreditation – June 15, 2005
Expires – September 15, 2027

Clearfield County Career and Technology Center
1620 River Road
Clearfield, PA 16830
Date of Initial Accreditation – March 31, 2008
Expires – July 11, 2024

Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
445 Schoolhouse Road
Johnstown, PA 15904
Date of Initial Accreditation – May 30, 2008
Expires – November 14, 2024

Indiana County Technology Center
441 Hamill Road
Indiana, PA 15701
Date of Initial Accreditation – July 28, 2008
Expires – July 11, 2024

Jefferson County-DuBois AVTS
576 Vo Tech Road
Reynoldsville, PA 15851
Date of Initial Accreditation – September 22, 2022
Expires – September 15, 2027

Lebanon County Career and Technology Center
833 Metro Drive
Lebanon, PA 17042
Date of Initial Accreditation – April 20, 2007
Expires – March 9, 2023

Lehigh Career and Technical Institute
4500 Education Park
Schnecksville, PA 18078
Date of Initial Accreditation – May 17, 2004
Expires – January 13, 2027

Schuylkill Technology Centers
17 Maple Avenue
Marlin, PA 17951
Date of Initial Accreditation – June 14, 2007
Expires – January 8, 2024

York County Technical School
2179 South Queen Street
York, PA 17402
Date of Initial Accreditation – May 17, 2004
Expires – January 13, 2027

Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School
3300 Chester Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Date of Initial Accreditation – June 15, 2005
Resigned – December 27, 2010

Career and Technology Center of Lackawanna County
3201 Rockwell Avenue
Scranton, PA 18508
Date of Initial Accreditation – September 21, 2005
Resigned – March 19, 2009

Erie County Technical School
8500 Oliver Road
Erie, PA 16509
Date of Initial Accreditation – January 9, 2007
Resigned – May 23, 2011

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
2740 Old York Road
Jamison, PA 18929
Date of Initial Accreditation – January 9, 2007
Resigned – February 18, 2011