Virginia Teaching License

If you have teaching skills and are planning to become a teacher in Virginia, you must go through the licensing process. Teaching can be not only a rewarding job, but also an enjoyable experience.

To get your license, you should get familiar with the requirements by following the steps of this article.

Where can I obtain my Virginia teaching license number?

To obtain your Virginia teaching license number, you should, above all,  conduct a license lookup, using this lookup. Then, you must enter your name and surname, and click on the “search” button.

In conclusion, the tool will provide you with relevant information concerning your license, including its status and number.

How to get a teaching license in Virginia

In the state of Virginia, the level of education and educational standards are very high. Moreover, people greatly value the profession of a teacher and it is highly respectable.

Given these points, a future teacher must meet all the state requirements to be suitable and eligible for this position. Therefore, you should check the requirements below and complete all the stages of licensure step-by-step.

Stage 1: Complete a teacher preparation program

The first stage of licensure is, in fact, successfully completing a teacher preparation program in an approved college or university. You will also need to complete a child abuse recognition and intervention training course.

To clarify, you must earn your Bachelor’s degree and gain theoretical and practical knowledge for teaching.

In general, teaching programs include curriculum design, classroom management and engagement. They also furnish future teachers with necessary skills to use new trends, methods and techniques in education.

Furthermore, they provide information on what it is like to understand the mindset of a child and how to demonstrate professional approach towards children.

Stage 2: Examinations

After meeting educational requirements, you must take and pass the examination required by the state of Virginia.

In the first place, you should take the PRAXIS test, which assesses an applicant’s knowledge of his/her profession, including reading, writing, and math. In other words, this exam indicates whether a person is ready to become a teacher.

Afterwards, the second test is the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), which measures one’s academic, as well as communication skills. To pass the exam, you must score 235 for both the writing and reading parts.

Finally, the third one is the Reading Assessment, which is a requirement for those, who want certification in Elementary, Early and Special Education. Accordingly, it is to determine whether a teacher has what it takes to teach reading skills.  In addition, to pass the exam, you must score 157 or higher.

Stage 3: Application

The last stage of licensure is to apply to the Virginia Department of Education and pay the $50 fee.

Mailing Address

Virginia Department of Education
Division of Teacher Education and Licensure
PO Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

How long does a Virginia teaching license last?

The Virginia teaching license, in fact, lasts for five years. Thus, you should renew it every five years when it is due to expire.
Consequently, to renew it, you must have 180 professional development credits.

The list of states that accept Virginia teaching license

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York State
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming