West Virginia uses applicants ‘ social security numbers to check the clearinghouse maintained by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) for license revocation, cancellation, suspension, denial, and reinstatement in other states. West Virginia also reports information to the clearinghouse as needed. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will not release your social security number except to the NASDTEC clearinghouse to report cases of license revocation, cancellation, suspension, denial, and reinstatement as noted above.
To access application forms and apply for licensure, visit Application Forms.
To track the progress of your application and review your licensure electronically, visit the Certification Check Website. Note: “Pending” applications are in the process of being reviewed by a coordinator.
The State Superintendent is authorized to revoke or suspend a certificate or permit for intemperance, cruelty or immorality if there is a rational nexus to job performance, untruthfulness or conviction of a felony or any crime involving sexual misconduct with a minor or student. W. Va. Code § 18A-3-6 (educators) and 18A-4-8e(j)(school bus operators). OSL investigates reports of such conduct and, if warranted, presents evidence at a hearing before the Professional Practice Panel of the West Virginia Commission for Professional Teaching Standards or another designee of the State Superintendent.
Career Technical Education (CTE) programs are changing, evolving and innovating to better serve West Virginia ‘s students by preparing them to succeed and enter the workforce.
To find out how you may be able to complete an approved program for Career and Technical Education teacher licensure, please visit: Teaching Career Tech (TeachWV.com).
To schedule West Virginia Board of Education required testing for Career and Technical Education, please contact the Office of Educator Preparation at 304-558-3119.
To schedule West Virginia Board of Education required testing (ex. basic skills, content specific or principles of learning and teaching), please visit https://www.ets.org/praxis .
WVBE Policy currently provides an option for individuals who possess a valid West Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate to take required Praxis content exam(s) to add endorsements to their certificate. This option is not available to individuals based upon possessing a Provisional Teaching Certificate, Student Support Certificate, Administrative Certificate or Permits of any kind. Only endorsements identified within this guidance document are eligible to be added using this option. Guidance Document for Adding an Endorsement using Content Proficiency When you are ready to apply for licensure, please visit Application Forms.
If you have completed an out-of-state licensure program or would like to apply using a valid out-of-state license via reciprocity, you must meet one of the following:
Have completed a program at an accredited institution which was approved by the public school licensing agency of that state to lead to the issuance of a public school teaching certificate/license in that state, meet all WV Board of Education (WVBE) policy 5202 requirements including all WV-required licensure assessments, and receive the recommendation of the preparing institution. Must complete Form 20A
Submit a copy of a valid out-of-state public school license/certificate. Must complete Form 20R
Official transcripts must be submitted with either option.
Minimum criteria for a substitute teaching permit in West Virginia includes (but is not limited to) an associate ‘s degree (or 60 eligible hours towards completion of a bachelor ‘s degree), a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completion of county authorized initial substitute teacher training.
Minimum criteria for a restricted short-term substitute teaching permit in West Virginia includes (but is not limited to) an associate degree or minimum equivalency hours. Equivalency in lieu of a conferred associate degree should include a minimum of 60 semester credit hours ** or 90 quarter hours ** , a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completion of county authorized initial substitute teacher training. Restricted Short-Term Substitute candidates must have reached the age of 21. ** Coursework should provide evidence of competencies in core areas such as English, reading, writing, and mathematics. Courses may include but are not limited to communications, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, analytical and inferential reasoning, and computational skills. These hours must be reflected on an official transcript of an accredited institution.
Restricted short-term substitute permits are valid for one year and expire at the end of each school year.
Individuals who hold a short-term permit may substitute teach in the same classroom, at any grade level, for 30 days or less.
Short-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years.
A long-term substitute permit allows an individual to substitute teach within a specific endorsement area at specified grade levels for more than 30 consecutive days in the same classroom. Applicants must meet additional coursework criteria as demonstrated on their college transcripts, which includes (but is not limited to) at least 12 semester hours of credit with a grade of C or higher in the subject area for which they intend to substitute.
Long-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years.
Minimum criteria for a substitute teaching permit for the endorsement of nursing includes (but is not limited to) a Nursing Diploma/Associate Degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 These individuals must hold a valid registered nursing license issued by the West Virginia Board of Examiners, and have completed 12 hours of initial substitute teacher training related to school nursing and 6 hours of clinical time with a certified school nurse who is a registered nurse. Nursing substitute permits are valid for 3 years.
Contact school districts to inquire about substitute teaching employment opportunities in areas of CTE and review the state-minimum eligibility criteria for the Substitute CTE Permit which includes the following:
Candidates must receive the appropriate recommendation from their employer and complete initial substitute teacher training. Endorsement specific requirements may be accessed in CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual.
To review the complete requirements of licensure, please review West Virginia Board of Education Policy 5202 at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/ For more information on licensure pathways, please visit Recruitment and Licensure Pathways.
In order to support teacher preparation candidates entering the teaching profession in our state, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is able to provide a one-time, free of charge voucher covering the cost of one take of a nationally-normed Teacher Performance Assessment. This voucher is available to all eligible candidates completing a state-approved teacher preparation program at a West Virginia institution. Candidates are responsible for registering and completing the TPA as required by the testing company and the attending institution. Vouchers cannot be applied retroactively to current registrations. Candidates should not register for the TPA prior to receiving the voucher. Please be advised that this is a unique and one-time voucher that will expire 18 months from issuance or activation whichever comes last. Lost, expired, or misused vouchers will not be reissued. Candidates are eligible for one voucher and may not be issued any additional ones. To request your voucher please use the Voucher Request Form
| Guide Name | User Type | Description | Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 4 - Professional Teacher, Student Support, Administrative Renewal Applications - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Request renewal of your Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate, or to convert a Five-Year Certificate or to a Permanent Certificate | 4 |
| Form 19, 19A, 19R - Initial Administrative Applications (Principal, Supervisor of Instruction, Superintendent) | Applicant | Apply for an initial professional Administrative Certificate endorsed for a Principal, Supervisor, and/or Superintendent. | 19, 19A, 19R |
| Form 20S, 20SA, 20SR - Initial and Reciprocity Student Support Applications (Counselors, School Nurse, School Psychologists, Social Services and Attendance) - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Apply for an initial Student Support Certificate as a School Counselor, School Nurse, School Psychologist or Social Services and Attendance Director. | 20S, 20SA, 20SR |
| Form 20T - Initial Professional In-State Teaching Application - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Apply for an initial Teaching Certificate after completing a state approved teacher preparation program from an IHE in West Virginia. | 20T |
| Form 20A, 20R - Initial Out-of-State and Reciprocity Teacher Applications - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Apply for an initial Teaching Certificate after completing an approved teacher preparation program from an IHE located outside of West Virginia. | 20A, 20R |
| Form 39 - Initial/Renewal Coaching Authorizations - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Apply for an initial or renewal of the authorization to be a Coach, Athletic Trainer, or Limited Football Trainer after being hired by a West Virginia County School System. | 39 |
| Form 8, 8A, 8C, 8R - Add Endorsement to Professional Certificate - Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Adding an endorsement to a valid WV Professional Teaching Certificate, following completion of coursework at a regionally-accredited college/university (Form 8), or an additional endorsement in Autism (Form 8A), or an additional endorsement based on completion of a PRAXIS II Content Exam (Form 8C), or an endorsement on a valid/renewable out-of-state (Form 8R). | 8, 8A, 8C, 8R |
| Form 19, 19A - Administrative - Institutional User Guide | IHE | Approve an indivdiual for an initial professional Administrative Certificate endorsed for a Principal, Supervisor, and/or Superintendent. | 19, 19A |
| Form 4 - Professional Certificate Renewal Institutional User Guide | IHE | Approve an indivdiual forrenewal of professional Teacher, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate who is currently attending the IHE for an additional endorsement or degree. | 4 |
| Form 20A - Out-of-State Professional Teacher Applications - Institutional User Guide | IHE | Approve an indivdiual for an initial Teaching Certificate after completing an approved teacher preparation program outside of West Virginia. | 20A |
| Form 20S, 20SA - Initial Student Support - Institutional User Guide | IHE | Approve an individual for an initial Student Support Certificate as a School Counselor, School Nurse, School Psychologist or Social Services and Attendance Director after completion of the licensure program at an IHE. | 20S, 20SA |
| Form 20T - In-State Teacher Institutional Approval Guide | IHE | Approve an individual for an initial Teaching Certificate after completing a state approved teacher preparation program from an IHE in West Virginia. | 20T |
| Form 8 - Add Endorsements Institutional Approval Guide | IHE | Adding an endorsement to a valid WV Professional Certificate, following completion of coursework for an indivdiual who currently holds a valid West Virginia Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate. | 8 |
| Form 4 - Teacher, Student Support, Administrative Renewals - County Approval Guide | County | Approve a request for an employee to renew a Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate, or to convert a Five-Year Certificate or to a Permanent Certificate | 4 |
| Form 20T, 20S - Initial Teacher and Student Support - County Approval Guide | County | Approve an application for an employee for an initial Teaching or Student Support Certificate as a Teacher, School Counselor, School Nurse, School Psychologist or Social Services and Attendance Director. | 20T, 20S |
| Form 19, 19A - Initial Administrative - County Approval Guide | County | Approve an employee for an initial professional Administrative Certificate endorsed for a Principal, Supervisor, and/or Superintendent. | 19, 19A, 19R |
| Form 39 - Initial Coaching and Renewal - County Approval Guide | County | Approve a request for a hired employee for an initial or renewal of the authorization to be a Coach, Athletic Trainer, or Limited Football Trainer. | 39 |
| Form 8, 8A, 8C, 8R - Add Endorsement - County Approval Guide | County | Approve an employee to add an endorsement to a valid WV Professional Certificate, following completion of coursework for an indivdiual who currently holds a valid West Virginia Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate. | 8, 8A, 8C, 8R |
| Form 2L, 2S, 2A - Applicant User Guide For Initial Long-Term, Short-Term, and Restricted Short-Term Substitutes | Applicant | These permits allow individuals who do not hold a professional certificate to substitute day-to-day or for an extended amount of time exceeding 30 days. The county determines the type of certificate for which an individual will be applying. | 2L, 2S, 2A |
| Form 2LE - Applicant User Guide for Renewing to a Long-Term Substitute Permit and adding Endorsements | Applicant | This application allows individuals to renew and add new endorsements with authorization from the employing county to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | 2LE |
| Form 2LR, 2SR, 2AR - Applicant User Guide for Renewal of Short-Term, Long-Term and Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permits | Applicant | These renewal permits allow individuals who do not hold a professional certificate to substitute day-to-day or for an extended amount of time exceeding 30 days. The county determines the type of certificate for which an individual will be applying. | 2LR, 2SR, 2AR |
| Form 8L - Applicant User Guide to add an Additional Endorsement to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | Applicant | This application allows individuals to add new endorsements with authorization from the employing county to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | 8L |
| Form 2L, 2S, 2A - County Approval User Guide For Initial Long-Term, Short-Term, and Restricted Short-Term Substitutes | County | These permits allow individuals who do not hold a professional certificate to substitute day-to-day or for an extended amount of time exceeding 30 days. The county determines the type of certificate for which an individual will be applying. | 2L, 2S, 2A |
| Form 2LE - County Approval User Guide for Renewing a Long-Term Sbstitute Permit and adding Endorsements | County | This application allows individuals to renew and add new endorsements with authorization from the employing county to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | 2LE |
| Form 2LR, 2SR, 2AR - County Approval User Guide for Renewal of Long-Term, Short-Term and Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permits | County | These renewal permits allow individuals who do not hold a professional certificate to substitute day-to-day or for an extended amount of time exceeding 30 days. The county determines the type of certificate for which an individual will be applying. | 2LR, 2SR, 2AR |
| Form 8L - County Approval User Guide to add an Additional Endorsement to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | County | This application allows individuals to add new endorsements with authorization from the employing county to a valid Long-Term Substitute Permit | 8L |
| Form 3 Clinical Teacher of Record | Applicant | An individual who does not have a Bachelor’s Degree conferred and has been hired to teach in an area of critical need and shortage while finishing their state-approved teacher preparation program as part of a WVBE approved agreement between an institution of higher education and a WV public school district. | 3 |
| Form 3 Clinical Teacher of Record | IHE | Approve an individual who does not have a Bachelor’s Degree conferred and has been hired to teach in an area of critical need and shortage while finishing their state-approved teacher preparation program as part of a WVBE approved agreement between an institution of higher education and a WV public school district. | 3 |
| Form 3 Clinical Teacher of Record | County | Approve an individual who does not have a Bachelor’s Degree conferred and has been hired to teach in an area of critical need and shortage while finishing their state-approved teacher preparation program as part of a WVBE approved agreement between an institution of higher education and a WV public school district. | 3 |
| Form 8s County Approval Guide for Aspiring Superintendent | County | Adding a Superintendent endorsement on a valid West Virginia Teaching Administrative Certificate after completion of the WVBE Aspiring Superintendent's Program. | 8S |
| Form 8s Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Adding a Superintendent endorsement on a valid West Virginia Teaching Administrative Certificate after completion of the WVBE Aspiring Superintendent's Program. | 8S |
| Form 12 Applicant User Guide | Applicant | Advanced salary/advanced degree recognition is limited to Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certification or equivalents. | 12 |
| Form 12 County Approval Guide for Advanced Salary or Degree Recognition | County | Advanced salary/advanced degree recognition is limited to Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certification or equivalents. | 12 |
| Form 45 and Form 45R County Approval Guide for NBPTS | County | 45) Recognition of NBPTS certification, or application for NBPTS state salary supplement, based on employment and position held in WV Public Schools |