There are essentially two main "routes" to licensure: TRADITIONAL ROUTE - complete a teacher prep program through a college or university or an ALTERNATE ROUTE  - all the other ways you can become licensed to teach in Virginia. If you're interested in the traditional route, you may want to visit VDOE's List of Approved Teacher Prep Programs. If you're seeking other ways to become licensed, our team has you covered! 

What are the alternate routes?

Career Switcher Program - Career Switcher programs allow individuals with at least a bachelor's degree and 3 years of full-time work experience to satisfy content area requirements by passing a rigorous content area test (PRAXIS Subject Assessment) and satisfy the professional studies (how to teach) coursework through an intensive and often budget-friendly program.  Upon completion of the program, candidates can receive a Provisional Career Switcher license which allows them to teach while satisfying the remaining requirement for their full license - one year of full-time teaching experience.  Additional information can be found here.  

Provisional License - Provisional licenses are requested by a school division when an individual is within the "allowable deficiencies" for licensure and has been offered a full-time teaching position.  The "allowable deficiencies" vary depending on the endorsement (content area on the license).   When an individual is issued a provisional license they're able to teach while completing the remaining requirements (coursework, assessments, etc.) to obtain a full license.  

How much time would I have?

Provisional licenses are valid for "no more than 3 years".  What does that mean?  VDOE dates licenses July 1 of the current school year.  If you apply for your license and receive it July 1, 2021, you have a full 3- years to complete the requirements.   However, if you apply and receive the license in February 2022, it's still dated July 1 2021, so in essence you really only get 2 1/2 years to complete the requirements.  

How do I know if I'm eligible?

1. Have a major in one of the content areas below:

   • 1. 1. • Biology

           • Chemistry

           • Dance Arts

           • Earth Science

           • Engineering

           • English

           • Foreign Language

           • Marketing Education

           • Mathematics

           • Physics

           • Theatre Arts

           • Visual Arts

2. Have a bachelor's degree and pass a rigorous subject area test (VA Praxis Requirements) **Does not apply to Special Education or Elementary endorsements. 

3.  Be within the "allowable deficiencies" (generally 6 semester hours) of meeting the content area requirements for endorsements.  **Does not apply to endorsements that are considered less than a major. In order to determine whether or not you meet the requirements, the licensure specialist will conduct what's called a "course-by-course" evaluation of your college transcripts.  Code of VA - Individual Content Requirements 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES