Licensure & Recertification

General Components for Licensure

• You must hold an assigned social security number (issued by the US Social Security Administration) in order to apply.

While there are many different routes to take to be issued an educator license in Virginia, the below components are generally what will determine eligibility:

• Bachelor's Degree (except for the Technical Professional License) from a nationally recognized college/university as reflected on official transcripts with a conferral date.

• Completion of content-area knowledge by coursework.

• Completion of a professional studies coursework.

• Completion of prescribed assessments.

• Student teaching/practicum/experience in the endorsement area.

• Completion of statutory licensure requirements.

These components may be satisfied through an approved traditional route to licensure (teacher preparation program) or an approved alternate route to licensure.

License Renewal

• Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (10-year licenses)

• Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (5-year licenses)

• Statutory licensure requirements for licensure renewal (document download)

Adding Endorsements

• Adding Teaching Endorsements to a Virginia License 

Visit our iTeach webpage and the Out-of-District Learning Opportunities webpage to learn more about initial licensure options and courses that may be used for recertification.