Provisional Licensure
The VDOE issues a provisional license only upon hire in a contracted teaching position. Provisional licensure is a post-employment process that begins after an HR coordinator offers a teacher contract. (Please note the VDOE issues licenses effective July 1 of the school year you apply for the license; therefore, consideration should be made when applying for initial licensure mid-year.)
Application Process
The first step in obtaining a teaching license is establishing eligibility to teach the content area. You can establish eligibility by:
- having a bachelor’s degree in the areas below or college credit hours in specific content area coursework (see the VDOE Endorsement Requirements)
- Passing the corresponding Praxis exam for your content area (see VDOE Assessments)
- Passing the Special Education requirement course covering the characteristics and legal aspects of teaching students with disabilities (course name varies)
Once you have a degree in one of the eligible content areas, you will apply for a teaching license, and the VDOE will most likely issue you a provisional license. You typically have 2-3 school years to complete your requirements for full licensure.
Once you pass the Praxis Exam for the content area you teach, you will apply for a teaching license, and the VDOE will most likely issue you a provisional license. You typically have 2-3 school years to complete your requirements for full licensure.
Once you pass the SPED requirement course, you will apply for a teaching license in that area, and the VDOE will most likely issue you a provisional license. You typically have 2-3 school years to complete your requirements for full licensure.
A bachelor's degree in any of the following areas equals eligibility for a provisional teaching license:
- Agricultural Education
- American Sign Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Dance Arts
- Earth Science
- Engineering
- English
- Foreign Language (French, Spanish, German, etc.)
- Health and Physical Education
- History (Middle School only)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Technology Education
- Theater Arts
- Visual Arts
Disclaimer: The Virginia Department of Education Licensure Regulations changes periodically. The worksheets should only be used as a guide and are subject to change without notice. Use caution and regularly inform yourself of all proposed or upcoming licensure changes.
Alternative Routes to Licensure
Click here to view the VDOE alternative routes to licensure.
