Overview of Virginia Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

Individuals interested in applying for initial licensure in Virginia, must earn a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and should review the following documents for more specific details regarding Virginia's licensure process and procedures:

• Routes to Licensure in Virginia — Virginia provides multiple routes to licensure, including college and university programs approved by the Board of Education, reciprocity for educators licensed by other states and alternative routes for qualified candidates and career switchers.
• Virginia's approved educator preparation programs or educator preparation programs listed by endorsement area.
• The Praxis® test for selected endorsement areas and/or other approved professional teachers' assessment requirements, as applicable.
• 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

• 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 discontinued paper-delivered testing; however, Praxis® tests will continue to be available in a paper-delivered format as required for ADA accommodations. All scores for previously administered paper-delivered tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken.

Who Must Take the Tests?

The Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) 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® Subject Assessments are required for specific licensure and endorsement areas.

See also:

• About the Praxis Tests
• The Praxis® Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs