Virginia Teacher Certification Definitions
By Kathleen Brill
Special to washingtonpost.com
Friday, July 23, 2004; 11:20 AM
There are a number of requirements that a prospective teacher has to meet in order gain licensure in Virginia.
Requirements for a regular renewable license for teachers in Virginia:
• Bachelor's degree in a content area meeting the endorsement requirements as defined in the licensure regulations
•Completion of methods coursework, not to exceed 24 credit hours
• Completion of pre-and post-clinical experiences
• Satisfying the teacher testing requirements of Praxis I and Praxis II.
Licensure Fees
•Initial license, instate: $50, out-of-state: $75
•Superintendent license: in-state: $100, out-of-state: $150
•License renewals: $25 Other actions: $25
Interstate Agreement
Virginia has a five-year interstate contract agreement with D.C. and Maryland, allowing the state to issue licenses to applicants who hold current, valid licenses at a comparable level. These applicants must also complete the Praxis I and Praxis II. The tests may be waived for applicants with at least two years of full-time teaching experience in the public schools or an accredited private school, and a provisional license is issued to enable an individual to complete the testing requirements while teaching under contract. Even with the ICA, applicants are required to complete and submit an application for a Virginia license.
License Renewal
Regular licenses must be renewed every five years. This requires accumulating at least 180 pts through a series of 10 professional
development options.
License holders without a master's degree must earn at least 90 points by completing a three-semester-hour course at an accredited two or four-year college in the content area listed on the license. During one five-year cycle, the license holder may be granted approval to take course work in special education, English as a second language, gifted education, or technology education in lieu of the three-hour content course.
Alternatively, development activities designed to support the Virginia Standards of Learning, Standards of Accreditation, and Assessments may be accepted.
Provisional License
These three-year licenses are for recent hires by a Virginia school division. The hiring was based completion of content requirements, and the teacher has yet to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. A provisional license is granted with the understanding that the license holder will pursue the unmet requirements during the three year period.
Private Schools
The requirements for private school teachers are the same as for public schools in Virginia.
Editor's note: This article by Kathleen Brill, was acquired by wahingtonpost.com on
March 10, 2003.
© 2004 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive
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