West Virginia

For initial certification in West Virginia, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Complete an approved educator preparation program from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.
• Pass the Praxis tests for their certification area.
• Submit the appropriate certification form and fees.
• Undergo a criminal history investigation completed by both the West Virginia State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

• West Virginia requires your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes but will submit your information to the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) with your test results. Failure to provide the information requested above could delay processing of your certification application.
• 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.

• If you test in West Virginia at a test center or at home, and your Praxis profile address is in West Virginia, your score report will be sent automatically to the West Virginia Department of Education. You may select up to three recipients at no charge during registration or purchase additional reporting after you test.
• If you test outside West Virginia, or your Praxis profile address is not in West Virginia, your scores are not automatically sent to the West Virginia Department of Education. To have your scores sent to the West Virginia Department of Education, you must select the West Virginia Department of Education (state code 8480) as a score recipient when you register.
• For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports, you must select the West Virginia Department of Education (state code 8480) with each additional score report request.

• Individuals who complete an educator education program or an alternative certification route approved by the West Virginia Board of Education and leading to West Virginia certification must meet the testing requirements of that program unless exempted by current State Board policy.
• The testing requirements include the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests, the content specialty tests, and the professional knowledge tests.
• Contact the teacher education office of any West Virginia institution of higher education for additional information about the tests and testing requirements of State Board Policy 5100.
• In West Virginia, you must take the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessments for each area of certification you seek. The Praxis Subject Assessments include the content specialty test and the professional knowledge tests. The latter tests are titled Principles of Learning and Teaching.

For information on alternate route programs, review the following:

• State-Approved Alternative Teacher Certification Programs
• West Virginia Alternative Certification Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Find answers to frequently asked questions on educator certification at the West Virginia Department of Education website, including information on:

• obtaining certification and endorsements
• educator preparation
• highly qualified status
• alternate routes to teaching
• Praxis passing scores

To speak directly with a West Virginia teacher certification coordinator, contact the Office of Certification at (304) 558-7010 or certification.wvde@k12.wv.us.