Professional Teaching Certificate (Reciprocity from Out-of-State)

If you hold a valid and renewable professional teaching certificate from a state other than West Virginia, use Form 20R to request reciprocity.  This certificate is valid for three years.

Candidate Requirements

If you are employed by WVDE, Form 20R requires an official recommendation from the Superintendent. If you are not employed by a WV County School, you must also submit Form 4B. 

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.
• A valid out of state (and renewable) professional certificate equivalent to the WV Professional Teaching Certificate.

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 and not the applicant.

Application Requirements

Form 20R 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.

1. Log in to the portal and select apply for licensure, the license type, and the certification. 
2. 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 may also need to provide supporting documentation verifying your current license or work history.
3. Submit the application.
4. If you are employed in a WV county school, 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. 
5. If you are not employed, the "pay now" button will appear on your dashboard, and you will be able to pay immediately.
6. Following the receipt of the application by the Office of Certification, you will receive an email with instructions for completing your background check.
7. 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 20R How To video:

$100