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 at a testing center or using the Praxis at home solution, and your Praxis profile address is in Virginia, your score report will be sent automatically to the Virginia Department of Education.
- If you test outside Virginia or your Praxis profile address is not in Virginia, your scores are not automatically sent to the Virginia Department of Education. To have your scores sent to the Virginia Department of Education, you must select the Virginia Department of Education (state code 8425) as a score recipient when you register.
- For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports you must select the Virginia Department of Education (state code 8425) with each 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® Tests Information Bulletin
- Prepare for a Test
- Register for a Test
- Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs