Use Form 20A if you are applying for a West Virginia teaching certificate and attended a regionally accredited out-of-state institution's state approved teacher preparation program.
If you attended a state-approved teacher preparation program outside of West Virginia and do NOT have a current teaching certificate in another state, use this form 20A to apply for a West Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate. This certificate is valid for three years.
Candidate Requirements
Form 20A requires an official recommendation from a designated official from your college or university. If you are employed by WVDE in any capacity in a county school system, multi-county CTE Center, West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition (WVSDT), or the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf/Blind (WVSDB), you will also need a recommendation from your employer.
If you are not employed in any capacity of these entities, select NO COUNTY under EMPLOYING COUNTY and submit Form 4B Character Reference with your application.
General Requirements:
US Citizen or hold eligible documentation (see WVBE Policy 5202)
Good character
Age 18
Physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified
Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 for a bachelor's degree, OR minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 for a master's degree
Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program
Documentation verifying successful completion of a student teaching experience
Pass all WVBE required exams for the requested certificate and endorsement area
To send official transcripts to our office, please have your college/university send them to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. Transcripts must be received from the institution, not the applicant.
Application Requirements
Form 20A must be completed online. If this is your first time using the WVDE Certification Portal, you will need to register. Follow the instructions for first-time applicants.
Log in to the portal and select apply for licensure, the license type, and the certification.
Fill in the applicant information and attach any required documentation. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name and address, respond to legal disclosure questions, and indicate the county where you're employed, if applicable. You will also need to provide the state where you completed your education, and provide supporting documentation.
Submit the application.
If you are employed in a county school system, WVSDT, MCTC, or the WVSDB, your application will go to your county for approval. Following county approval, you will receive an email for payment. Log back in to the portal to pay the application fee.
If you are not employed, the "pay now" button will appear on your dashboard, and you will be able to pay immediately.
Following the receipt of the application by the Office of Certification, you will receive an email with instructions for completing your background check.
When your background check is complete and your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions to download your certificate. You may follow the status of your application on the Certification Portal or by checking the Application Status feature.
For more detailed instructions, watch our Form 20A How To video: