Adopted January 27, 2003 · Last amended June 16, 2008 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule supplies the standard form of the certificate of merit, the document by which a professional-liability plaintiff certifies that the claim has the expert support the rules require.
Full Text of Rule 1042.10
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The certificate required by Rule 1042.3(a) shall be substantially in the following form: (Caption) Certificate of Merit as to (Name of Defendant) I, , certify that: (Attorney or Party) 䊐 an appropriate licensed professional has supplied a written statement to the undersigned that there is a basis to conclude that the care, skill or knowledge exercised or exhibited by this defendant in the treatment, practice or work that is the subject of the complaint, fell outside acceptable professional standards and that such conduct was a cause in bringing about the harm; AND/OR 䊐 the claim that this defendant deviated from an acceptable professional standard is based solely on allegations that other licensed professionals for whom this defendant is responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard and an appropriate licensed professional has supplied a written statement to the undersigned that there is a basis to conclude that the care, skill or knowledge exercised or exhibited by the other licensed professionals in the treatment, practice or work that is the subject of the complaint, fell outside acceptable professional standards and that such conduct was a cause in bringing about the harm; OR 䊐 expert testimony of an appropriate licensed professional is unnecessary for prosecution of the claim against this defendant. Date: (Attorney or Party)
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule prints the certificate of merit a plaintiff must file in a professional-liability case. Captioned in the action and directed to a named defendant, the certificate states the basis on which the claim is supported — typically a licensed professional’s written opinion that the care fell outside acceptable standards.
Supplying a standard form keeps these certificates uniform and ensures each one says what the certificate-of-merit rule requires, so the court and the defendant can tell at a glance that the threshold has been met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a required form for the certificate of merit?
Yes. The certificate of merit must be substantially in the form set out in this rule.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1042.9 adopted January 27, 2003, effective immediately, 33 Pa.B. 748; amended December 5, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 6894; amended June 16, 2008, effective immediately, 38 Pa.B. 3481; renumbered Rule 1042.10 March 20, 2013, effective May 1, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 1835. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (335368) to (335369).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:certificate of merit formform of certificate of merit