Frequently Asked Questions about Certification



Frequently Asked Questions about Certification

All links referenced below can be found at



What are the minimum requirements to become a Teacher?

A teacher must hold at least a BA degree from a regionally accredited college and meet one of the routes to licensure requirements as set forth by the VDOE. Please review the Become a Teacher web-page for more information:

Can I apply for a provisional Virginia Teaching License prior to being hired?

No, you must be contracted with a Virginia School division to be eligible for a provisional license.

How long do I have to apply for my Virginia license?

All newly hired employees have 30 days from their Benefits/Licensure Orientation to turn in all documents to the Certification Office reflecting eligibility of Virginia Licensure or to provide a copy of a valid Virginia Teaching License endorsed in the area in which they were hired to teach. All currently employed instructional staff is required to hold and maintain a valid Virginia Teaching License while employed with PWCS.

Do I need to apply for a Virginia License if I hold a valid fully certified license from another state and I am eligible for reciprocity in Virginia?

Yes, all instructional staff employed in a Virginia School Division must hold a valid Virginia Teaching License. All out-of-state license holders must complete the Initial License Process to obtain a valid Virginia Teaching License. All forms and instructions for licensure processes are found on the Certification Website then select Licensure/Initial Licensure.

What address do I send my transcripts/documents to for certification purposes?

All documents including transcripts must be ordered and sent to the employee’s home address. Once all documents are received by the employee to complete the Licensure process, a complete packet is sent to the Certification Office with a completed Licensure Request Form clearly indicating the licensure request via interoffice mail or US mail to: PWCS Certification Office, P.O. Box 389 Manassas, VA 20108.

How can I check the status of my initial licensure request or renewal?

You can check the Alpha Roster @

to view the status of your licensure requests that are sent to the Virginia Department of Education.

How long do I have to take the Virginia Assessments (VCLA, Praxis II, or VRA)?

PWCPS now requires employees to complete all assessments for licensure within the first year of teaching with PWCS. More information on assessment requirements and exemption criteria can be found at



How do I renew an expired Virginia License?

Current employees of PWCS can use the Certification Website to obtain Licensure Renewal Instructions and Forms @ then select License Renewal.

How do I get reimbursed for classes?

There are several coursework reimbursement opportunities available to PWCS employees depending on budget and/or your license status and position – please review the reimbursement options

What classes/professional development opportunities are offered by PWCS?

Student Learning and Professional Development offer an online course catalog @ . For more information on Professional Development offerings please visit the Professional Learning website @

What is highly qualified? Am I HQ?

In general, all instructional employees must hold and maintain a valid Virginia teaching license endorsed in all areas in which they are the teacher of record. Special Education teachers must hold and maintain a valid Virginia Teaching License endorsed in the area of special education for the students being served and if they are the teacher of record for any verified credit courses, dual endorsement is preferred.

My transcripts are from a non US institute, do I have to get them evaluated for US equivalency?

Yes, all non-US transcripts must be evaluated for US equivalency by an approved agency. A list of approved agencies can be found at

What is the difference in a masters program and an approved licensure program?

Masters programs completed at a regionally accredited institute that are not approved programs for licensure will be accepted to add Masters to a license and to qualify for a salary upgrade but they will not be accepted to meet full licensure requirements. Any program completed that is not an approved licensure program accepted by the Virginia Department of Education will be subject to a course-by-course analysis for licensure purposes. License holders are encouraged to enroll in approved licensure programs that will lead to licensure in an area offered by the Virginia Department of Education.

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