Prospective Candidates Seeking Virginia Licensure

These Resources Will Help Guide You in Obtaining Your Instructional License in Virginia

Become a Teacher in Virginia!

  • Start your journey, search open jobs, gather resources, or obtain information about becoming a teacher in Virginia by visiting the VDOE BecomeATeacher.virginia.gov website!

Licensure Information Session for Prospective Teacher Candidates

Virginia Licensure Common Questions and Helpful Tips 

Procedures for Obtaining a Virginia License

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is the only agency authorized to issue educator/teacher licenses. The initial application is completed online at https://vadoe.mylicense.com/eGOV/PersonSearchResults.aspx.

The purpose of the FCPS Office of Licensure is to serve as a liaison to the VDOE for actively contracted teacher-scale employees and school administrators.

Licensure Requirements Regarding Vacant Teacher-scale Positions at a School or Center

A license is not needed in order to apply for a vacant teacher-scale position at a school or center, but it is important to remember that other applicants with licenses may be interviewing for the same vacant teacher-scale positions.

Employment for a Vacant Teacher-Scale Position Without a Virginia Teacher License

Prospective candidates are able to receive an employment offer for a vacant teacher-scale position without holding a Virginia teacher license, but they will first need to interview with a school principal and then be selected as a finalist for the position. The school-assigned hiring specialist in HR will then contact the candidate directly to affirm their eligibility for employment, which includes being eligible for the appropriate VA license and endorsement needed for the teaching assignment/position.

Obtaining a Provisional License to Teach or Obtaining a Teaching Position with a USA Degree(s) Conferred

Obtaining a Virginia License with an Active Out-of-State Educator License OR based on Completion of a Non-Virginia State-Approved Educator Preparation Program

Review the VDOE’s criteria for licensure via reciprocity and then submit an online application on the VDOE website at https://vadoe.mylicense.com/eGOV/PersonSearchResults.aspx.

Obtaining a Virginia License or Completion of a Virginia State-Approved Educator Preparation Program

Please work with VA College/University directly to have them complete the licensure application process for you.

Obtaining a Provisional (Special Education) License to Become a Special Educator After Successful Completion of the Required Special Education Foundation Courses

  • In order to obtain a provisional (Special Education) license to become a special educator, a candidate must:
  • FIRST, “…have completed at least three semester hours of coursework in the competencies of foundations for educating students with disabilities and have an understanding and application of the legal aspects and regulatory requirements associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities. A survey course integrating these competencies would satisfy this requirement.”  
  • SECOND, apply for applicable special education teaching positions.
  • THIRD, interview with a school principal and then be selected as a finalist for an applicable special education teacher position.
  • After employment is finalized and a teaching contract has been issued, the FCPS Office of Licensure will work with the new employee to get their provisional (Special Education) license issued by the VDOE.

Confirming Eligibility for the Required Virginia Licensure Position After Interviewing with an FCPS Principal Who Expresses Interest in Hiring a Candidate for a Vacant Position

The FCPS Principal must work with their school’s assigned hiring specialist in Human Resources to determine eligibility criteria.

Receiving a VDOE Response Packet Instead of a License After Application

  • If a candidate receives an official Statement of Eligibility from the VDOE, they will need to be officially hired into a contracted teacher-scale vacancy that matches their endorsement eligibility area. After employment is finalized and a teaching contract has been issued, the FCPS Office of Licensure will work with the new employee to get a provisional license issued by the VDOE.
  • If a candidate receives a course-by-course evaluation form the VDOE, then they will need to successfully complete a VA state-approved educator preparation program and/or the cited coursework. Visit the VDOE’s College & University Programs webpage for a listing of VA state-approved educator preparation programs and contact information.

Praxis Test Requirements and Information

All initial Virginia Licensure applicants are required to pass the VDOE-prescribed Praxis assessment for their area of endorsement, unless the applicant is able to submit the appropriate documentation to meet the licensure assessment Exemption Criteria. The VDOE-prescribed Praxis tests and Exemption Criteria are posted on the VDOE Professional Teacher Assessment Document (WORD).  Candidates can contact the Virginia Department of Education at [email protected] or 1-800-292-3820 directly for additional Praxis and licensure assessment information. 

Reactivating an Expired License

If a candidate has an expired Virginia license, they will need to contact the Virginia Department of Education at [email protected] or 1-800-292-3820 for information regarding their licensure status and what steps/requirements are needed to complete to resolve and re-activate their Virginia License. 

Prospective Candidates and The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)

Prospective candidates should go through the VDOE and not FCPS with their requests. The VDOE is a state agency and can assist the general public with all Virginia Licensure inquires. Only actively contracted FCPS teacher-scale employees should be working with the FCPS Office of Licensure.

Becoming a Teacher with Three or More Years of Full-Time Occupational Experience but no PreK-12 Teaching Experience

Prospective teachers with three or more years of full-time occupational experience but no PreK-12 teaching experience should consider enrolling in an approved Virginia Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program.

Obtaining a Virginia License with with Foreign Credentials

Employees, Applicants, and Retirees

Submit questions or concerns, as well as upload forms and other documents through the FCPS StaffConnect portal. Human Resources representatives are also available for assistance Monday – Friday (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) by calling 571-423-3000 or 1-800-831-4331.