TEACHER LICENSURE

Routes to Licensure

There are several routes to licensure in Virginia: 

Traditional Route

• • Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program 

Alternative Routes

• • Completion of a state-approved Career Switcher Program

  • Provisional license

    • • HCPS may request a Provisional License when a candidate is within the allowable deficiencies for the endorsement and has been offered a full-time contractual teaching position.  The allowable deficiencies vary depending on the specific endorsement.  A candidate is eligible for a provisional license if they hold a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited college or university and

        • • • has a major in: Biology, Chemistry, Dance Arts, Earth Science, Engineering, English, Foreign Language, Marketing Education, Mathematics, Physics, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts;

            • passes a rigorous content assessment approved by VDOE (does not apply to elementary or special education endorsements); or

            • completes an approved pre-requisite course in special education (special education endorsements only).

  • VCU's Richmond Teacher Residency (RTR) Program

  • Troops To Teachers Virginia Center Program

PROCEDURES & BEST PRACTICES

Hiring

• Prior to interviewing, principals and supervisors should verify that a candidate holds a teaching license with the appropriate content endorsement using the VDOE LICENSE QUERY.

• If a candidate does not hold a valid Virginia teaching license, the principal should forward transcripts to the licensure office to determine eligibility.

Change of Teacher Assignment Within the Building

• Teachers may only hold job positions for which they are appropriately endorsed.  Accordingly, principals must verify an employee's endorsement prior to changing their assignment within the building.

Five-year Renewable License

Individuals who hold a five-year renewable license must complete 180 points for renewal, as well as the statutory requirements for renewal. [For example, individuals whose five-year renewable licenses expire in 2019 must present 180 points for renewal, as well as documentation of meeting the statutory requirements. Such individuals will then receive a ten-year renewable license.]

Ten-year License

Individuals renewing ten-year licenses will be required to complete 270 professional development points for renewal. All statutory renewal requirements also are required.

PROCEDURES & BEST PRACTICES

Licensed staff will receive notification through PowerSchool Professional Learning and via email that will include the process of renewing their license with HCPS.

Limited tuition assistance may be available (depending on funding) for full-time and part-time employees (FTE .5 or greater) needing to enroll in specialized off-campus courses related to their employment. Temporary employees are not eligible for tuition assistance.

Applicants should request a tuition assistance form from the Department of Professional Learning and Leadership prior to enrollment. Reimbursement will not be made until applicants have successfully completed the course, submitted a receipt for payment, and reported a grade to the Department of Professional Learning and Leadership.