How to Get a Teaching License in Virginia

Getting a license to teach in Virginia puts you on the path to a fulfilling career as an educator. The state of Virginia requires fulfillment of the following steps in the licensure process. If you attend college in Virginia, your school can help you with the procedure.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Enroll in an approved course of educational study at a Virginia college or university. This includes student teaching. Depending on the school, this may lead to a bachelor's or master's degree.

2. Take and pass the Praxis I and Praxis II tests. The first test evaluates your skills in core competencies; you usually take this as an admissions requirement for education courses. The second test evaluates your content knowledge; you usually take this test at the end of your college career.

3. Complete a course in child abuse recognition and intervention. Virginia state law requires this.

4. Submit the required paperwork for licensure. This includes an application for license, a report on experience, professional assessment scores and official college transcript. Also include a non-refundable $50 check. If you reside outside of the state, the fee is $75.

5. Obtain a college verification form. Your college or university fills out this form.

6. Secure a teaching license through Virginia's reciprocity agreement, if you hold a valid license from another state. You must have graduated from a regionally accredited university and must hold a license in the state where you graduated to qualify.

Resources

• Find updated teaching license information from the Virginia Department of Education here.

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