Provisional - Special Education (SPED) License Requirements

A Provisional - SPED License is a three-year, nonrenewable teaching license issued to an individual employed as a special education teacher who does not hold the appropriate special education endorsement.  An individual is no longer required to hold another license to receive a Provisional - SPED License; however, the initial application fee will be applicable.

The Provisional - SPED License is not applicable to individuals employed as speech pathologists. 

To receive the Provisional - SPED License an individual must:

• be employed by a Virginia public or nonpublic school and have the recommendation of the employing educational agency;
• hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
• have an assigned mentor endorsed in special education; and
• have a planned program of study in the assigned endorsement area and have completed the core competencies of survey of characteristics of students with disabilities and legal aspects associated with students with disabilities 

During the three years the Provisional - SPED License is valid, the individual must complete all requirements for the special education endorsement area, complete professional studies requirements, and meet Virginia's professional teacher's assessment requirement prescribed by the Board of Education.