Overview of Virginia Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

For initial licensure in Virginia, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Complete one of Virginia's approved educator preparation programs or one of the educator preparation programs listed by endorsement area.
• Pass The Praxis Series™ test for selected endorsement areas and/or pass other approved professional teachers' assessment requirements, as applicable.
• Submit a completed application for a Virginia license form with the appropriate fees and documentation.

Find further online licensure assistance at the Teach Virginia website, which includes details on obtaining or renewing a license, applications, assessments, endorsements and routes to licensure.

Important Information

• Effective July 1, 2011, the Virginia Department of Education will implement changes in the required reading assessments for certain endorsements. For teachers seeking an initial license with endorsements in Early/Primary Education PK–3, Elementary Education PK–6, Special Education – General Curriculum, Special Education – Hearing Impairments, and Special Education – Visual Impairments, the required reading assessment will be (5306/0306) Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education (RVE). For teachers seeking an endorsement as a Reading Specialist, the required assessment will be (5304/0304) Reading for Virginia Educators: Reading Specialist (RVE for Reading Specialists).
  
  Registration for both the RVE and RVE for Reading Specialists will open on April 6, 2011 at 9 a.m. The RVE assessments will be administered July 18–23, 2011. The initial administration for both assessments will be on computer. For information on how to register, please visit www.ets.org/praxis/register.
• If you test in Virginia, your scores will be sent automatically to the Virginia Department of Education. If you test outside of Virginia, you must select the Virginia Department of Education (state code 8425) as a score recipient, either when you register or on an additional score report request.
• Even though your scores are electronically submitted, Virginia requests that applicants for licenses submit a copy of all official score reports because scores may not be loaded due to discrepancies in identifying information.

• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced throughout the testing year. These computer-delivered assessments are given by appointment through a national network of Prometric™ Testing Centers. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you.

  For tests available in both formats (paper and computer), the computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.

  • English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (5041) — available in May 2012
  • Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5856) — available in August 2012
  • Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5061) — available in June 2012
  • Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) — available in May 2012

Who Must Take the Tests?

Praxis I® tests are accepted for entry assessment to Virginia approved programs of educator preparation.

Prior to licensure, you must achieve passing scores on other Virginia Board of Education-approved professional teachers' assessments.

Praxis II® tests are required for specific licensure and endorsement areas.

See also:

• About the Praxis™ Tests
• The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities