Certification Information

If you have completed an out-of-state licensure program or would like to apply using a valid out-of-state license via reciprocity, you must meet one of the following:

Have completed a program at an accredited institution which was approved by the public school licensing agency of that state to lead to the issuance of a public school teaching certificate/license in that state, meet all WV Board of Education (WVBE) policy 5202 requirements including all WV-required licensure assessments, and receive the recommendation of the preparing institution. Must complete Form 20A - Professional Teaching Certificate (Out-of-State).

-or-

Submit a copy of a valid out-of-state public-school license/certificate. Must complete Form 20R - Professional Teaching Certificate (Reciprocity from Out-of-State)

Official transcripts must be submitted with either option.

Substitute Teaching

Minimum criteria for a substitute teaching permit in West Virginia includes (but is not limited to) an associate ‘s degree (or 60 eligible hours towards completion of a bachelor ‘s degree), a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completion of county authorized initial substitute teacher training.

• To inquire about employment opportunities, county authorized trainings and requirements for becoming a substitute teacher, individuals must first contact the human resources office in the county school district ‘s central office.
• School districts may direct applicants to complete the WVDE provided eLearning initial substitute teacher training course online. Visit E-learning for Educators for information about registering for eLearning substitute teacher training.

Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permit

Minimum criteria for a restricted short-term substitute teaching permit in West Virginia includes (but is not limited to) an associate degree or minimum equivalency hours. Equivalency in lieu of a conferred associate degree should include a minimum of 60 semester credit hours** or 90 quarter hours**, a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and completion of county authorized initial substitute teacher training. Restricted Short-Term Substitute candidates must have reached the age of 21. **Coursework should provide evidence of competencies in core areas such as English, reading, writing, and mathematics. Courses may include but are not limited to communications, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, analytical and inferential reasoning, and computational skills. These hours must be reflected on an official transcript of an accredited institution.

• Individuals who hold a restricted short-term permit may substitute teach in the same classroom, at any grade level, for 10 consecutive days or less. A person with a restricted short-term substitute permit may substitute short-term throughout the year as long as they do not exceed ten consecutive days in the same classroom.

Restricted short-term substitute permits are valid for one year and expire at the end of each school year.

Short-Term Substitute Teaching Permit

Individuals who hold a short-term permit may substitute teach in the same classroom, at any grade level, for 30 days or less.

• A person with a short-term substitute permit may not substitute for more than 30 consecutive days in same classroom. A person with a short-term substitute permit may substitute short-term throughout the year as long as they do not exceed 30 consecutive days in the same classroom.

Short-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years.

Long Term Substitute Teaching Permit

A long-term substitute permit allows an individual to substitute teach within a specific endorsement area at specified grade levels for more than 30 consecutive days in the same classroom. Applicants must meet additional coursework criteria as demonstrated on their college transcripts, which includes (but is not limited to) at least 12 semester hours of credit with a grade of C or higher in the subject area for which they intend to substitute.

• Those seeking elementary education endorsements, must have a minimum of 12 semester hours which includes at least one college level mathematics course and a combination of core content coursework in English, science and social studies. (One course related to child development, early learning, or reading and writing may be used in lieu of a core content course other than mathematics).

Long-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years.

Substitute Permits for Nursing

Minimum criteria for a substitute teaching permit for the endorsement of nursing includes (but is not limited to) a Nursing Diploma/Associate Degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 These individuals must hold a valid registered nursing license issued by the West Virginia Board of Examiners, and have completed 12 hours of initial substitute teacher training related to school nursing and 6 hours of clinical time with a certified school nurse who is a registered nurse. Nursing substitute permits are valid for 3 years.

Substitute Teaching in Areas of CTE

Contact school districts to inquire about substitute teaching employment opportunities in areas of CTE and review the state-minimum eligibility criteria for the Substitute CTE Permit which includes the following:

• Age 18; good character; physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified
• Meet the identified education level (ex. high school diploma, GED, etc.)
• Hold identified industry credentials for the endorsement
• Meet identified wage-earning experience requirements

Candidates must receive the appropriate recommendation from their employer and complete initial substitute teacher training. Endorsement specific requirements may be accessed in CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual.

See Policy 5202 review the complete requirements of licensure. For more information on licensure pathways, please visit Recruitment and Licensure Pathways.