Index of Required Teacher Training
The 2025 General Assembly, in Chapter 643, set forth requirements for the Virginia Department of Education (the Department) to provide a clear resource for teachers and teacher leaders on the requirements for training. Specifically, “The Department of Education shall establish and maintain an index of each training in which any public elementary and secondary school teacher in the Commonwealth is required to participate pursuant to state or federal law or regulation, including training required as a condition of licensure by the Department.”
The following table shares all requirements for educator training based upon the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Administrative Code and federal requirements. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 22.1-298.8, the table includes information on the classification of teacher required to complete each training; the topic, length, and frequency of each training activity; and the total number of hours of training that each teacher is required to complete in a specific period of time. Where the law does not specify a length of time for a training or frequency, school division personnel should consult local school board policy.
The Department will review and update this index annually, when a training is added, or when an existing training on the index is changed in length or frequency to ensure that the information therein is accurate.
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Training Topic |
Requirements |
Guidance & Resources |
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Awareness and Reporting of Child Abuse, Neglect, and Sexual Exploitation |
Each local school board must ensure all school employees complete annual training to recognize and report child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-296.4. § 22.1-298.1 and § 63.2-1509 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All school employees Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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School Safety, Crisis Management, and Medical Emergency Response |
Training related to school safety audits and emergency plans, including medical response, annually for all schools.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-279.8 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All schools Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Fire, Tornado and Emergency Drills |
Teachers and staff must participate in regularly scheduled fire and emergency drills and must be trained in drill procedures.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-137.3 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All teachers and school division employees Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Once each school year Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Bloodborne Pathogen Training |
Bloodborne pathogen training is required annually for all school health staff and designated school personnel.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-271.3 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All school health staff and designated school personnel Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Human Trafficking Prevention |
All public-school employees must complete a course on identifying and reporting human trafficking. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-16.5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All public-school employees Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Mental Health Awareness Training Suicide Prevention (Youth Mental Health First Aid) |
School personnel are required to complete mental health awareness training to recognize and respond to students at risk of suicide or self-harm. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-298.6 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All school personnel Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Cultural Competency (Diversity and Inclusion) |
Local school boards must develop and provide cultural competency training to enhance educators’ ability to serve diverse student populations, at least every two years. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-298.7 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All educators Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: at least every two years Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Literacy Instruction, Dyslexia and Reading Intervention |
Each reading specialist in K-8 shall have training in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction practices, including dyslexia screening and intervention strategies. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:2 and § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All teachers in early grades Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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High-quality Professional Development |
Each local school board shall provide a program of high-quality professional development (i) in the use and documentation of performance standards and evaluation criteria based on student academic progress and skills for teachers, principals, and superintendents to clarify roles and performance expectations and to facilitate the successful implementation of instructional programs that promote student achievement at the school and classroom levels. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All teachers, principals and superintendents Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Integration of Computer Skills and Related Technology |
Each local school board shall provide a program of high-quality professional development in educational technology for all instructional personnel which is designed to facilitate integration of computer skills and related technology into the curricula. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All instructional personnel Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Instructional Training |
Each local school board shall provide teachers and principals with high-quality professional development programs each year in (i) instructional content; (ii) the preparation of tests and other assessment measures; (iii) methods for assessing the progress of individual students, including Standards of Learning assessment materials or other criterion-referenced tests that match locally developed objectives; (iv) instruction and remediation techniques in English, mathematics, science, and history and social science; (v) interpreting test data for instructional purposes; (vi) technology applications to implement the Standards of Learning; and (vii) effective classroom management. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All teachers and principals Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
The following resources are by subject area and are included on the VDOE website. |
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Science-based Reading Research and Evidence-based Literacy Instruction |
Each local school board shall provide high-quality professional development and training in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction, from the list developed and the resources provided by the Department pursuant to subsection C, or an alternative program that consists of evidence-based literacy instruction and aligns with science-based reading research approved by the Department, for (i) each teacher with an endorsement in middle education grades six through eight who teaches English that builds proficiency in evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research and (ii) each middle school principal and teacher with an endorsement in middle education grades six through eight who teaches mathematics, science, or history and social science that builds an awareness of evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:2 and § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All middle school English, Mathematics, Science, History and Social Science teachers as well as middle school principals Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
Each local school board shall provide high-quality professional development each year in communicating with and supporting students with autism spectrum disorder for any instructional personnel and school board employees whose duties include regular contact with students, in accordance with the guidance provided by the Board pursuant to clause (x) of subsection C, that includes (i) an overview of the characteristics and behavioral recognition of autism spectrum disorder, (ii) strategies for communicating and interacting with and supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, and (iii) best practices for responding to and de-escalating certain behavioral challenges and situations. Such professional development shall be optional, provided, however, that any instructional personnel or school board employee who completes such professional development shall be eligible for professional development points toward renewal of his license for the number of in-person hours of coursework completed. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All personnel with regular contact with students Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Recruitment, Employment, and Retentions Training |
Schools and school divisions shall include as an integral component of their comprehensive plans required by § 22.1-253.13:6, high-quality professional development programs that support the recruitment, employment, and retention of qualified teachers and principals. Each school board shall require all instructional personnel to participate each year in these professional development programs. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-253.13:5 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All instructional personnel Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Annually Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Statutory Requirements for Initial Licensure |
Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, there are several statutory requirements individuals must complete for an initial license to be issued. These trainings include:
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-298.1; 8VAC20-23; 8VAC20-450 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All instructional Personnel seeking an initial license. Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: For initial license only Total Hours: Not specified in the law (35-50 hours) |
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Statutory Requirements for Renewal of a License
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Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, there are several statutory requirements individuals must complete for license renewal. These trainings include:
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-298.1; 8VAC20-23; 8VAC20-450 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All instructional Personnel seeking renewal of a license. Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Every 10 years Total Hours: Not specified in the law (45-60 hours depending upon endorsement area) |
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Threat Assessment Teams and Oversight Committees |
New threat assessment team members shall complete an initial threat assessment training, and all threat assessment team members shall be required to complete refresher threat assessment training every three years. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-79.4 Classification of teacher required to complete training: All threat assessment members Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Initially upon appointment and refresherevery three years Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Individualized Education Program (IEP) Training Module |
Training module for each individual who participates in an IEP meeting that comprehensively addresses and explains in detail (i) each IEP team member's respective role in the IEP meeting, (ii) the IEP development process, and (iii) components of effective IEPs. The training module shall be required for all IEP participants, with the exception of parents, prior to participating in an IEP meeting and at regular intervals thereafter.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-214.4 Classification of teacher required to complete training: IEP team participants Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Initially upon appointment and regular intervals thereafter Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication |
Individualized training on assistive technology services for each school division employee or contractor who provides instruction or direct support to students using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) required by IEP.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-217.4 Classification of teacher required to complete training: Division employee or contractor who will provide instruction or direct support to a student using AAC. Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Prior to the beginning of the school year or as soon as possible based on student’s enrollment Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Scoliosis Screening |
School personnel who conduct screenings must receive training by qualified licensed medical practitioners.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-273.1; 8VAC20-269-50 Classification of teacher required to complete training: Teachers performing scoliosis screenings Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Seizure Management Training |
All employees whose duties include regular contact with students must complete a Board of Education-approved online course of instruction for school employees regarding treating students with seizures and seizure disorders that includes information about seizure recognition and related first aid. Approved training programs shall be fully consistent with training programs and guidelines developed by the Epilepsy Foundation of America and any successor organization.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-274.6 Classification of teacher required to complete training: Teachers with regular contact with students Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Biennially Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Instructional Strategies for Remediation of Students |
Any teacher hired on or after July 1, 2001, shall be required, as a condition of achieving continuing contract status, to have successfully completed training in instructional strategies and techniques for intervention for or remediation of students who fail or are at risk of failing the Standards of Learning assessments.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-303; 8VAC20-630-60 Classification of teacher required to complete training: Probationary teachers seeking continuing contract Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: condition of achieving continuing contract status Total Hours: Not specified in the law
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Mentor Teacher Programs
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Continuing contract classroom teachers recognized as an exemplary classroom teacher and excellent professional role model, with outstanding performance appraisals.
Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-305.1 Classification of teacher required to complete training: Continuing contract teachers Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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Special Education Procedural Safeguards Confidentiality of Information |
All persons collecting, maintaining, or using personally identifiable information shall receive training or instruction on Virginia's policies and procedures for ensuring confidentiality of the information.
Citation: 34 CFR 300.623; 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99; 8VAC20-81-170 |
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Family Life Education |
All such instruction shall be designed to promote parental involvement, foster positive self-concepts, and provide mechanisms for coping with peer pressure and the stresses of modern living according to the students' developmental stages and abilities. The Board shall also establish requirements for appropriate training for teachers of family life education, which shall include training in instructional elements to support the various curriculum components. Citation: Va. Code § 22.1-207.1. Family life education Classification of teacher required to complete training: Teachers of Family Life Education Length: Not specified in the law Frequency: Not specified in the law Total Hours: Not specified in the law |
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