County Board Office Information
The initial licensure for West Virginia will be for a period of three
years. Your certificate must be renewed within the three year period.
West Virginia Department of Education
http://wvde.state.wv.us/
Certification and Employment in West Virginia Schools
What Is A License?
The term "license" encompasses all of the credentials approved by the
West Virginia Board of Education that may be issued to an individual for
performing duties in the areas of teaching, pupil services, supervision and
administration in the public schools.
What Are The Standard Licenses?
The standard licenses are the Professional Teaching, Professional
Service, Professional Administrative and the Vocational Certificates.
Who Must Hold A License?
Any individual employed by a county board of education to provide an
educational program/service must hold a license appropriate for the
specializations) and grade levels) of assignment.
Who Can Qualify For A Professional, Certificate?
Eligibility for the Professional Certificate is based on the successful
completion of an approved educational preparation program at an
accredited college recognized by the West Virginia Board of Education, or
through the experienced educator option approved by the
State Board.
What General Requirements are Common For All Licenses?
The applicant for a license must be: 1) a citizen of the United States*,
2) of good moral character, 3) physically, mentally, and emotionally
qualified to perform the duties of a teacher, and 4) eighteen years of age.
The applicant must have a 2.5 overall grade point average.
*Temporary licensure is available to an individual who meets all
requirements except U.S. citizenship.
Where May I Secure An Application For A Certificate?
Applications for the Professional/Temporary Certificate are available
from the certification officer at each West Virginia college and university.
Applications for all licenses are, available from the West Virginia
Department of Education or a West Virginia county board of education.
What Is the Fee For Licensure?
How May I Apply For A License?
Graduates of an approved educational personnel preparation program shall:
1) Secure the Application for a Professional or Temporary Certificate, Form
20,
2) Complete Part II, .
3) Attach the required $15.00 nonrefundable application fee, and
4) Return the form to the Certification Officer at the institution where the
approved program was completed. The applicant must attach a transcript fee
if it is required by the institution.
An applicant who has completed three years of successful out-of-state
experience as an educator within the seven years immediately preceding the
date of application and who holds a valid certificate in the state in which
he/she was last employed as an educator shall:
1) Complete items 1-3 above, and
2) Submit Form 20 to the previous employers) for verification of educational
experience in Part IV.
3) Attach a copy of the valid certificate, official transcript and fee and
forward the application to the West Virginia Department of Education.
Does West Virginia Have A Testing Requirement?
All candidates for the initial Professional Certificate must provide
evidence of having satisfied the testing requirements and cut scores adopted
by the West Virginia Board of Education. Tests must be completed in the
following areas: basic skills (Praxis I - PreProfessional Skills in
Reading, Writing, and Mathematics or waivers based on ACT or SAT Scores) and
content specializations) (Praxis II). The professional knowledge test
(Praxis II that includes at least a portion of the grade levels indicated on
the anticipated license) is also required for the Professional Teaching
Certificate. The required tests and scores are available upon request from
the Office of Professional Preparation. A registration bulletin listing test
dates, sites, and fees is available from the college certification officer
or the Office of Professional Preparation.
How May I Apply For A Position?
The job applicant must contact the county personnel director in the
county or counties of choice. A list of counties and their addresses is
included with this printout. Also, we have a WV K-12 Job-Bank on our site.
You may visit the Job-Bank by visiting the WV Department of Education
website and follow the link: WV K-12 Job-Bank
What Is The Salary Schedule For West Virginia Educators?
The minimum salary schedule varies from county-to-county, however, all
salaries are based upon: 1) the highest degree completed, 2) the salary
classification, and 3) the years of educational experience. Salary
classifications are issued to holders of the Professional and Vocational
Certificates at the BA+1S, masters, MA+15, MA+30, MA+45 (total of 45,60, and
75 graduate hours respectively*) and doctorate levels. To receive payment as
of the date of completion of the advanced salary classification, the
applicant must insure that her/his application is received by the Office of
Professional Preparation within three (3) months from the date of
eligibility. Questions concerning eligibility for a salary classification
should be addressed to the county personnel director.
*Fifteen semester hours of undergraduate credit within specific criteria
established by law may be used for advanced salary
purposes.
How Do I Renew My Certificate?
Certificates may be renewed with six (6) semester hours of appropriate
credit approved by the county professional designee and completed subsequent
to the issuance of the certificate being renewed. An individual who holds a
Professional Certificate and the MA+30 or higher salary classification based
upon the awarding of a master's degree related to the public school program
or who has attained the age of sixty (60) is not required to complete
additional renewal credit.
How Do I Convert My Professional Certificate Valid For Three Years To
The Professional Certificate Valid For Five Years?
The Professional Certificate valid for three years may be converted to
the Professional Certificate valid for five years provided the applicant: 1)
Completes six (6) semester hours of appropriate renewal credit subsequent to
the issuance of the certificate being converted or holds the MA+30 or higher
salary classification based upon the awarding of a master's degree related
to the public school program, and 2) Completes two (2) years of educational
experience in the specializations) and the programmatic levels) appearing on
the certificate to be converted. 3) Successfully completes the beginning
educator internship, and 4) Secures the recommendation of the superintendent
in the county in which the applicant is/was employed. At least one year of
experience must have been completed in West Virginia.
How Do I Acquire A Permanent Certificate?
Two (2) options are available to acquire a permanent certificate.
Option One:
The applicant must hold or be eligible for a Professional Certificate valid
for five years, and 1) Have completed five (5) years of successful
educational experience, one of which must have been in West Virginia, 2)and
have completed the requirements for a master's degree related to the public
school program and receive the recommendation of the superintendent.
Option Two:
Complete two (2) renewals of the Professional Certificate valid for five
years and receive the recommendation of the superintendent.
Who Is Responsible For Filing The Necessary Application For
Certification?
The applicant is responsible for filing the appropriate application for
the original license, renewal and any endorsement/salary
classification for which he/she is eligible. ..
Can I Receive Tuition Reimbursement For Renewal Credit?
The answer is yes, under conditions specified in State Code 18A-33a.
Since there is a limited amount of money appropriated for tuition
reimbursement, applications are processed on a first come/first served
basis. Applications must be received no later than July 15 for coursework
completed during the previous school year (July 1June 30).
Is There A Licensure Appeal Procedure?
An individual who is denied a certificate, additional endorsement or
advanced salary classification may appeal, in writing, to the Licensure
Appeal Panel via the licensing agency. Appeals may be filed on the basis of
an interpretation or implementation of the regulations pertaining to an
evaluation of course work and experience, but not on the regulation itself.
The appeal will be referred to the Licensure Appeal Panel for review and
rule.
Who Can Answer Other Licensure Questions?
A county board of education or West Virginia Department of Education
employee should be consulted regarding specific questions related to any of
the issues addressed in this page. Candidates who have questions relating to
renewal procedures should request and review the brochure "Maintaining a
Professional/Vocational Certificate." Questions related to advanced salary
classifications and tuition reimbursement are answered in the brochure
"Advanced Salary Classifications and Tuition Reimbursement."
Maintaining a Professional or Vocational Certificate
Who is responsible for maintaining a certificate?
The educator is responsible for understanding the renewal process, for
initiating contact with the county superintendent for guidance
purposes, for completing appropriate credit, and for filing all documents
required to maintain a valid certificate.
How are the effective and expiration dates of my certificate determined?
All certificates issued by the State Superintendent of Schools for
serving in West Virginia's public schools expire on June 30 of the last year
of their validity regardless of the date of issuance. The effective date of
the certificate is the day the last requirement was completed provided the
application is received by West Virginia Department of Education within
three months of the completion date.
Applications received more than three months after requirements have been
met will be dated three months prior to the date the
application was received by the West Virginia Department of Education.
Where do I begin the renewal process?
If you are employed by a West Virginia county, contact the county
superintendent or his/her designee. If you live in West Virginia but aren't
currently employed by a county, you should still contact the superintendent
or his/her designee from the county where you reside. If you live outside
West Virginia, contact the West Virginia Department of Education regarding
the renewal process.
What renewal options are available?
Currently, six renewal options are available to an educator. These
options include the following: Option 1: Master's degree in a curriculum
related to the public school program
Option 2: Courses related to improvement of instruction and to the
educator's assignment/certification Option 3: Courses needed to qualify for
an additional endorsement
Option 4: Credit prescribed by the county as a result of the educator's
evaluation
Option 5: Master's plus thirty, master's plus forty-five, or doctorate
advanced salary classification Option 6_ Sixty years of age
What college credit is acceptable?
For renewal purposes, the credit may be either undergraduate or graduate
level; however, it must meet all of the following criteria:
* Be completed at an accredited institution of higher education
* Reflect d grade point average of "3.0" on a scale of "4.0"
* Be completed after the effective date of the license to be renewed
* Be completed within the five-year period immediately preceding the date
the application is received by the West Virginia
Department of Education
* Relate to the renewal option selected by the educator and the
superintendent or his/her designee * Relate to the public school program
What is the county superintendent's role in the certification process?
The county superintendent or his/her designee is responsible for advising
all educators who are employed or reside in her/his county
about the available renewal options. Additionally, all certificates that are
renewed or upgraded from the three-year to five-year or
permanent status require the recommendation of the superintendent as well as
verification of applicable educational experience or other requirements
included in statute or policy of the West Virginia Board of Education.
When should I file the application to renew my certificate?
The educator shall file the application for the renewal of the
certificate as soon as the requirements are fulfilled, but not before
January 1 of the year in which the certificate will expire.
How do I apply for conversion to a five-year certificate?
The initial teaching or service license issued to educators who complete
an approved educational personnel preparation program is the Provisional
Professional Certificate valid for three years. Conversion is the process
whereby the educator satisfies the qualifications to change from a
three-year to a five-year certificate. The holder of a Provisional
Professional Certificate valid for three years may qualify for conversion to
the five-year certificate provided he/she does the following:
1) Completes acceptable college credit appropriate to the renewal options)
selected as outlined above
2) Successfully completes the beginning educator internship mandated for
classroom teachers if applicable
3) Completes two years of experience within one or a combination of
endorsements on the Professional Certificate (one year of this experience
must be in West Virginia)
4) Receives the recommendation of the superintendent for whom the educator
is employed or last taught
5) Submit Form 4 to West Virginia Department of Education to apply for
conversion
How do I apply for a permanent certificate?
To qualify for the permanent certificate, the educator must meet the
following criteria:
1) Hold or be eligible for a valid five-year Professional/or Vocational
Certificate
2) Hold an earned master's degree related to the public school program
3) Complete five years of educational experience including two within the
specializations) for which the permanent certificate is requested
4) Receive the recommendation of the superintendent
5) Submit Form 4 to West Virginia Department of Education
OR
1) Complete two renewals of the five-year certificate
2) Receive the recommendation of the superintendent
3) Submit Form 4 to West Virginia Department of Education
HUNTINGTON CAMPUS CERTIFICATION OFFICER:
- Tammy Aliff
Education Credentials Specialist
Marshall University College of Education and Human Services
E-Mail: aliff@marshall.edu
Voice: 304.696.2857
Fax: 304.696.6355
SOUTH CHARLESTON CAMPUS CERTIFICATION OFFICER:
- Dr. Sue Hollandsworth
Assistant to the Dean
Marshall University Graduate School
E-mail: hollandswor3@marshall.edu
Voice:1.800.642.9842 ext. 1909
Contact Information:
- Tammy Aliff
Education Credentials Specialist/Certification Officer
Marshall University College of Education and Human Services
E-Mail:
aliff@marshall.edu
Voice: 304.696.2857
Fax: 304.696.6355
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