Munroe bill counting military experience toward CTE certification passes PA House

Rep. Brian Munroe June 9, 2025 | 4:13 PM

HARRISBURG, June 9 – Veterans seeking to teach occupational skills in PA public schools may soon have a streamlined path to certification due to legislation passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today by a unanimous vote.

House Bill 1405, introduced by State Rep. Brian Munroe, would make veterans with 8,000 hours – or 4 full-time years – of service in a given occupational area eligible for Career and Technical Instruction I certification. Individuals holding CTE instructional 1 certificates are permitted to teach in career and technical education programs in public schools throughout the Commonwealth. Munroe is himself a veteran and former police officer.

“This legislation not only opens new pathways for veterans to become educators but also helps address a growing teacher shortage in our state,” said Munroe. “It eliminates unnecessary barriers for veterans, whose real-life experiences in the armed forces make them uniquely qualified in many technical skill areas.”

According to the Penn State Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis, about 9,500 teachers left the field in 2022-23, and another 8,300 in 2023-2024.

The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

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