Thinking of becoming a teacher?
Thinking of becoming a teacher?
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!
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.
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.
Have a major in one of the content areas below:
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
There are several types of renewable licenses. The most common are shown below:
COLLEGIATE PROFESSIONAL - A 10-year renewable license issued when an individual has at least a bachelor's degree and has met all requirements for licensure.
POSTGRADUATE PROFESSIONAL - A 10-year renewable license issued when an individual has a master's degree and has met all requirements for licensure.
PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES - Individuals who have completed graduate degree with an endorsement for school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker or vocational evaluator.
TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL - 10-year renewable license issued to a person with at least a high school diploma, has a valid license issued by the Virginia board for areas requiring a license and have a minimum of 2 years experience at the journeyman level or equivalent. A few examples - Teachers of Nursing Programs, Plumbing, and HVAC.
DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT - completed a master's degree and meets the requirements outlined in 8VAC20-23-630.
If you meet any of the eligibility requirements above, your next step is to apply for posted vacancies at henricoschools.com/careers. Be sure to include your transcripts and/or Praxis scores so that the folks screening applications will be able to identify your licensure eligibility.
If you're uncertain whether you meet the requirements, contact us! Email licensure@henrico.k12.va.us. Please include a copy of your transcripts and indicate that you would like to be evaluated for licensure eligibility and include the area you're interested in - elementary, special education, math, etc. Our licensure specialist will complete an unofficial evaluation and recommend options for becoming licensed!
If selected for a position, the licensure office will help you navigate the process of applying to VDOE for your license.
VDOE has launched its Virginia Licensure Online system (VALO) to help modernize the teacher licensure process and make the application and renewal experience more user-friendly for perspective and current teachers. The system is designed to assist applicants as they move through the licensure process. VALO will make it easier for prospective teachers to submit complete and accurate applications, keep track of their application status, and timely correct any needed information. Read more from VDOE!