Provisional License - Alternative Routes to Licensure
The VDOE issues a provisional license only upon being hired in a contracted teaching position by a Virginia school division. The provisional license process begins after an individual has been board approved and a teacher contract is signed (institutions and individuals are not permitted to apply for a provisional license).
Eligibility
The first step in obtaining a teaching license is establishing eligibility to teach the content area. You are eligible if you:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree in the subject area or college credit hours in specific content area coursework Virginia Administrative Code - Licensure Regulations for School Personnel
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and passing the corresponding Praxis assessments for your content area VDOE Praxis Assessments
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and passing the Special Education prerequisite course “Characteristics and Legal Aspects of Teaching Students with Disabilities”
• Enrolled in the iteach VA program and have been issued the “Provisional Eligibility Letter” iteachVA
• Completed Level I of the Career Switcher Program VDOE - Career Switcher Program
• Hold a professional license, or certification, and have occupational experience in the teaching area (Career & Technical Center teaching positions)
Provisional License Application Process
Documentation
• Official transcripts -hard copy or electronic must be sent from the institution directly to Lisa Parker ([email protected])
• College Verification Form (if any part of a teacher preparation program was completed)
• Praxis Assessment scores
• License application
Statutory Requirements
All new license applicants are required to complete the VDOE statutory requirements as part of the provisional license application process:
• Child Abuse and Neglect (Child Abuse and Neglect)
• Dyslexia Awareness (Dyslexia Training)
• Behavior & Restraint Training (Restraint and Seclusion - CIEES)
• Cultural Competency (Cultural Competency Training)
• First Aid/CPR/AED –The course must include all three components – First Aid, CPR and AED including in person hands on CPR training. Please note Basic Life Support (BLS) courses do not meet this requirement, unless the course includes First Aid. Please contact Tracey Irby ([email protected]) regarding PCS course availability if you are currently employed by PCS or online at the American Red Cross or American Heart Association
Completion of Provisional License Requirements
Once the VDOE issues you a provisional license, you typically have 3 years to complete your requirements for full licensure (total timeframe is based on when the initial license is issued during the school year). Provisional license requirements may consist of one or more of the following:
• Subject Praxis Assessments
• Teaching Reading Assessment (Elementary Education and Special Education endorsements only)
• Professional Studies Courses (Education courses required if a teacher preparation program is not completed)
• Human Growth and Development
• Curriculum and Instructions (for appropriate grade level)
• Foundations of Education
• Classroom Behavior Management
• Language Acquisition and Reading
• Assessment of and for Learning
• One year of successful supervised clinical experience
• Additional core content course work relative to the endorsement area
• Industry Certificate (Career & Technical Educators only)
Current Provisional License Holders
Effective July 1, 2024, individuals will no longer be required to pass the VCLA as a requirement for initial licensure. After June 30, 2024, individuals who have been cited for the VCLA, and who have completed all other initial licensure requirements, may submit a request to update their evaluation and be issued a full, renewable license.