Virginia Teacher Certification
The Virginia Division of Teacher Licensure is responsible for Virginia teacher certification. Virginia offers teaching certification in the following areas: early/primary (preK-3), elementary (preK-6), middle grades (6-8), all grades (preK-12), special education, secondary grades (6-12), or adult education. This article will focus on the certification requirements to become an elementary or secondary school teacher in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia offers the following licenses allowing individuals to teach at the elementary or secondary school levels:
- Collegiate Professional License. This license is valid for five years and is renewable.
- Postgraduate Professional License. This license is available to individuals who qualify for a Collegiate Professional License who also have earned a graduate degree. This license is valid for five years and is renewable.
- Provisional License. This license is for individuals:
- Who are entering teaching through an alternative route.
- Who have meet all of the necessary requirements except passing the assessment tests, as would be the case with certified teachers from other states with less than two years of teaching experience.
- Who are seeking a Technical Professional License.
- Who fail to meet some portion of the requirements for a Professional License.
All Virginia licenses have at least one endorsement indicating the specific area that a teacher is licensed to teach. One or more additional endorsements may be added to a Virginia license upon meeting the published guidelines.
Virginia also offers a Technical Professional License for individuals who will be teaching technical, or trade subjects.
The Process for Virginia Teacher Certification
The process to become licensed in Virginia is relatively straightforward. To obtain a Professional License, an individual must:
- Satisfy the educational requirements of at least a bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program from a Virginia college or university or an out-of-state approved educator program. The content area of the degree must meet the requirements for the endorsement sought. Individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher, but without the necessary teacher preparation coursework, may fulfill this requirement by attending an approved alternative teacher preparation program.
- Successfully complete student teaching, usually done as part of an approved teacher preparation program.
- Satisfy the Virginia testing requirements by passing the PRAXIS I test and the appropriate PRAXIS II Specialty Area tests. As of March of 2004, SAT test scores may be used as a substitute for the PRAXIS I test. As of September of 2004, ACT test scores may be used as a substitute for the PRAXIS I test. Virginia publishes the minimum score requirements on the Virginia Division of Teacher Licensure's web site.
- As of July, 2004, individuals must also complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention.
Certification for Teachers Certified in Other States
Any individual who holds a valid out-of-state teacher license may qualify for a Virginia license in the same endorsement area, provided that individual has completed a state-approved teacher preparation program from a regionally accredited four year college or university. Individuals with two or more years of teaching experience in an accredited public or nonpublic school (K - grade 12) are exempt from the Virginia assessment requirement. Individuals with less than two years of teaching experience will have to take the appropriate PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II tests for their area of endorsement. SAT or ACT test scores may substitute for the PRAXIS I Test. As of July, 2004, individuals must complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention to obtain or renew a teaching license.
Virginia License Renewal
Virginia Professional Licenses, sometimes referred to as "regular licenses", must be renewed every five years. They may be renewed by fulfilling the necessary professional development requirements of at least 180 points. For license holders without a Master's degree, 90 of these points must be earned by completing a three semester hour course in the content area listed on the license at an accredited college or university. There are 10 professional development options, which include: college credit, professional conferences, peer observation, educational travel, curriculum development, article publication, book publication, mentorship/supervision, education project, and professional development activity. As of July, 2004, individuals must complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention to renew their teaching license.
