Licensure
Introduction
The Virginia Department of Education is committed to ensuring every classroom has a knowledgeable, engaged and supported teacher. The Office of Teacher Education and the Office of Licensure and School Leadership work together to ensure high-quality, licensed teachers are available to all students in the Commonwealth
Resources for Licensure Applicants & Holders
Below are resources for applicants and license holders. Individuals who are employed in a Virginia educational agency should reach out to the appropriate individual in their employing Virginia school division or Virginia accredited nonpublic school for information about submitting a licensure request.
Initial Licensure
- APPLY ONLINE NOW for an Initial Virginia License
- Instructions & Application for a Virginia License-This is a Word document.
- Instructions & Application for a Division Superintendent License-This is a Word document.
- Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training
- Emergency First Aid, CPR & AED Certification or Training
- Dyslexia Awareness Training
- Behavior Intervention and Support Training
- School Counselor Training – Refer to Superintendent’s Memo #003-22 for information on training options.
- Industry Credentials for Endorsement(s) in Career and Technical Education – Refer to the Guidance Document-This is a Word document. and Path to Industry Certification.
- Conditions for Licensure for Out-of-State Candidates by Reciprocity-This is a Word document.
- Information for graduates of institutions of higher learning outside the United States-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
- Troops to Teachers (TTT) Virginia Center
Endorsements
Renewing a License
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.
Certificates of Completion
Please ensure all certificates of completion are included in renewal application:
- Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Intervention Training
- Emergency First Aid, CPR & AED Certification or Training
- Dyslexia Awareness Training
- School Counselor Training – Refer to Superintendent’s Memo #003-22 for information on training options.
- Virginia History or State and Local Government Module (Any individual who has previously taken the Civics Module must choose "Reset Progress" and "Start Over" to be able to begin training.)
Forms & Information
- Instructions & Application for a Virginia License-This is a Word document.
- Instructions & Application for a Division Superintendent License-This is a Word document.
- Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (Word)
- Application for a One-year Extension of a Renewable License due to the Impact of COVID-19-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
- Fee Schedule for Licensure-This is a Word document.
- Form to Request Name Change, Address Change, or Duplicate License-This is a Word document.
- College Verification Form-This is a Word document.
- Report on Experience Form-This is a Word document.
Licensure Fee Online Payment Option
The Office of Licensure and School Leadership will accept online payments through our "Pay Now" button for applicants and license holders to pay upfront for licensure related requests (except initial licensure). A list of fees can be found on the Fee Schedule for Licensure-This is a Word document.. Individuals who will be applying for an initial license need to use the APPLY ONLINE NOW for an Initial Virginia License link above, not the "Pay Now" feature.
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.
Regulations, Guidance, and Legislation
- Licensure Regulations for School Personnel
- Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia
- Employment of Teachers to Provide Online Instruction – Superintendent's Memo 081-19-This is a Word document.
Two-Year Extension of Licenses expiring June 30, 2022
House Bill 236, passed by the 2022 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, 2022. Individuals employed by a Virginia education agency whose license will expire June 30, 2022, 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, 2022, may request the two-year extension of the license (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024) by completing the APPLICATION FOR A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF ANY LICENSE EXPIRING JUNE 30, 2022 PURSUANT TO HB236-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.
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 Cultural Competency Training and individuals seeking initial licensure or renewal 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 African American history training 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.
Approved Teacher Education Programs
- Approved College and University Programs in Virginia
- Career Switcher Programs in Virginia
- Regional Accreditation Organizations
Teacher License Queries
- Listing of licenses and endorsements denied, revoked, suspended, cancelled or reinstated by the Board of Education since 2000-This is an excel spreadsheet.
- Teacher and Educator License Query – Search VDOE database of active teaching and educator licenses issued by the Board of Education.