Licensure

On this page:
General Assembly Legislation
Application
Renewal
Forms and Licensure Changes
Approved Teacher Education Programs
Reciprocity
Teacher License Queries
Standards for Teachers
School Leadership
National Board Certification
Regulations & Guidance
Professional Teacher's Assessment

Licensure Flexibility Provisions due to COVID-19

HANDS-ON CPR: Until January 1, 2022, any individual seeking license renewal and who has completed all other components of training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be relieved of the requirement to have hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the purpose of their licensure application (§ 22.1-298.1.D)

ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF RENEWABLE LICENSE FOR INDIVIDUALS NOT EMPLOYED BY A VIRGINIA EDUCATION AGENCY: Individuals not employed by a Virginia education agency whose renewable license expired June 30, 2020, may request a one-year extension of the renewable license (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021) by completing the APPLICATION FOR A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF A RENEWABLE LICENSE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF COVID-19-This is a Word document.. Please mail this form to the Office of Licensure, Department of Education, PO Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120. Only this form is required; please do not send other documents with the request. No fee is required.

ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF RENEWABLE LICENSE FOR INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED BY A VIRGINIA EDUCATION AGENCY: Individuals employed by a Virginia education agency whose renewable license expired June 30, 2020, must contact their employer to request an extension of their renewable license. No fee is required.

Visit COVID-19 & Virginia Public Schools and Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

General Assembly Legislation

2021

Mandatory Training in Cultural Competence and African American History

HB1904 and SB119 were identical bills passed during the 2021 General Assembly that support a culturally competent educator workforce in the Commonwealth. Individuals seeking an initial license or renewal must complete training in cultural competence and individuals seeking initial licensure orrenewal of a license with an endorsement in history and social sciences shall complete instruction in African American history, as prescribed by the Board. While the law is effective July 1, 2021, applicants for an initial license and license renewal will not need to meet these training requirements until further action is taken by the Department and the Board of Education. More information about the timing of the trainings and requirements will be forthcoming.

Two-Year Extension of Licenses expiring June 30, 2021

House Bill 1776, passed by the 2021 General Assembly and signed by the Governor, allows the Board of Education to grant a two-year extension for all licenses expiring on June 30, 2021. Individuals employed by a Virginia education agency whose license will expire June 30, 2021, must contact their employer to request an extension of their license. No fee is required. Individuals not employed by a Virginia education agency whose license will expire June 30, 2021, may request the two-year extension of the license (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023) by completing the APPLICATION FOR A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ANY LICENSE EXPIRING JUNE 30, 2021 PURSUANT TO HB1776-This is a Word document.. Please mail the form to the Office of Licensure, Virginia Department of Education, PO Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120. Only this form is required; please do not send other documents with this request. No fee is required.

2020

Mandatory Training for Behavior Intervention and Support for Initial Licensure

Effective July 1, 2020, individuals seeking an initial license must complete training in behavior intervention and support in accordance with curriculum guidelines approved by the Board of Education. Applicants who complete a state-approved program will have completed this as part of their program. This requirement can be satisfied by completing modules and submitting the certificate of completion.

Standards for teachers, administrators and other educators in Virginia’s public schools recognize the link between preparation and content knowledge and student achievement.

Licensure Fee Online Payment Option

The Office of Licensure and School Leadership is pleased to announce phase one of an ongoing licensure enhancement project. During this first phase, the Office of Licensure and School Leadership will begin accepting online payments through our "Pay Now" button for applicants and license holders to pay upfront for licensure related requests. A list of fees can be found on the Fee Schedule for Licensure-This is a Word document..

Individuals taking advantage of this online payment option will be redirected to a third-party online payment vendor outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia network. Credit card payments are processed by Elavon's secure hosted payment website. The Office of Licensure and School Leadership will not have access to credit card information submitted on this third-party site. Once your payment has been processed via the Elavon website, you must print a copy of your receipt and include it with your application or request. Mail all documentation to the address below:

Virginia Department of Education
Office of Licensure and School Leadership
PO Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218

Applications and/or requests will not be processed until the application and/or request and receipt has been received in the mail. Applications and/or requests are processed in the order they are received.

If you have questions, please call 804-692-0157.

Licensure Application

Application for a Virginia License-This is a Word document. – [If applying for a Division Superintendent License, please use the Application for a Division Superintendent License.]
Application for a Division Superintendent License-This is a Word document.
Professional Teacher’s Assessment Requirements (Word) – Professional Teacher’s Assessment Requirements for Virginia Licensure and the School Leaders Licensure Assessment for Principals
Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training – Individuals seeking an initial license and license renewal must complete training in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines approved by the Board of Education.
Emergency First Aid, CPR & AED Certification or Training – IMPORTANT NOTICE (Flexibility provision for hands-on CPR due to the impact of COVID-19): Until January 1, 2022, any individual seeking an initial license or licensure renewal and who has completed all other components of training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be relieved of the requirement to have hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the purpose of their licensure application (§ 22.1-298.1.D).
Behavior Intervention and Support Training – Individuals seeking an initial license must complete training in behavior intervention and support in accordance with curriculum guidelines approved by the Board of Education. Applicants who complete a state-approved program will have completed this as part of their program.

Industry Credentials for Endorsement(s) in Career and Technical Education – Section § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia requires that every teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education shall have an industry certification credential in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement. For detailed information regarding 1) the teacher-eligible list of Board of Education-approved industry certification examinations, (2) the issuing organization, and (3) the specific career and technical education (CTE) area(s), including the corresponding endorsement codes, refer to the Industry Credentials for Teachers Seeking an Initial Virginia License with Endorsement(s) in an Area of Career and Technical Education Guidance Document-This is a Word document. (Revised June 2021). Also see Path to Industry Certification.
Dyslexia Awareness Training – Effective July 1, 2017, every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by VDOE, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the board pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
School Counselor Training – Effective July 1, 2017, the Code of Virginia requires every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license with an endorsement as a school counselor to complete training in the recognition of mental health disorder and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. Go to Superintendent’s Memo #313-17 for additional information on training options.
Fee Schedule for Licensure-This is a Word document. – [Effective January 1, 2019]
Form to Request Name Change, Address Change, or Duplicate License-This is a Word document.
Information for graduates of foreign institutions of higher learning-This is a Word document.
Foreign Language Endorsement Requirements for Individuals who Learned a Foreign Language without Formal Academic College or University Credit-This is a Word document.
Licensing of Speech-Language Pathologists

Licensure Renewal

Licenses for renewal may be submitted to the Office of Licensure any time after January 1 of the year of expiration. Renewal requests should not be submitted prior to January 1 of the year of expiration.

(The Application for License Renewal is contained within the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual.)

Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (Word) – This manual is for a five-year renewable license. Effective July 1, 2018, the Technology Standards requirement was eliminated for teachers seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license. Also effective July 1, 2018, renewable licenses will be issued for ten years.
Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training
Emergency First Aid, CPR & AED Certification or Training – IMPORTANT NOTICE (Flexibility provision for hands-on CPR due to the impact of COVID-19): Until January 1, 2022, any individual seeking an initial license or licensure renewal and who has completed all other components of training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be relieved of the requirement to have hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the purpose of their licensure application (§ 22.1-298.1.D).
Dyslexia Awareness Training – Effective July 1, 2017, every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by VDOE, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the board pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
School Counselor Training – Effective July 1, 2017, the Code of Virginia requires every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license with an endorsement as a school counselor to complete training in the recognition of mental health disorder and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. Go to Superintendent’s Memo #313-17 for additional information on training options.
Virginia History or State and Local Government Module – Any individual licensed and endorsed to teach (i) middle school civics or economics or (ii) high school government or history who is seeking renewal of such license is required to demonstrate knowledge of Virginia history or state and local government by completing a module or professional development course specifically related to Virginia history or state and local government that has a value of five professional development points. This requirement applies for purposes of the individual's next or initial renewal occurring after July 1, 2014. Successful completion of the Virginia State and Local Civic Education Module will satisfy this renewal requirement. Any individual who has previously taken the Civics Module must choose "Reset Progress" and "Start Over" to be able to begin training. Please print and submit the module certificate with renewal documentation. For more information, and to see a list of teaching endorsements that permit an individual holding a valid Virginia teaching license to teach (i) middle school civics or economics, or (ii) high school government or history, please see Superintendent’s Memo #053-14.
Licensing of Speech-Language Pathologists