Professional Teaching WVBE-Approved Program (non-IHE)

Candidate Requirements

Form 20B requires an official recommendation from a designated official from your alternative education program. If you are employed by a county school system in any capacity, multi-county career technical education center, West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition, or the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, 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

To apply, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or hold eligible documentation (see WVBE Policy 5202).
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with a qualifying GPA from an accredited college or university.
• Have completed a state-approved alternative program or pathway.
• Pass all required West Virginia Board of Education exams for the requested certificate and endorsement area.

To send official transcripts to our office, please have your college or university email them to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. Transcripts must be received from the college or university, not the applicant.

Application Instructions

If this is your first time applying for a certificate issued by the Department, you will need to register. Follow the instructions for first-time applicants.

1. Download the application form.
2. Fill in the applicant information. Work with your employer and your alternative education program to get the necessary signatures and supporting documents. 
3. Pay the application fee online before submitting your application.
4. Submit your application and all supporting documentation to the Office of Certification. Please mail to the following address:
   
   West Virginia Department of Education
   Office of Certification Services
   Building 6, Suite 550
   1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
   Charleston, WV 25305-0330

Note: If you are employed within a West Virginia public school system, the application must be uploaded by your employer’s human resources office.