Virginia Law

A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:

1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved program of study in a health care program of study and hold a current license or certification as a professional practitioner in the area in which one is to be teaching; or

2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a current license or certification as a professional practitioner in the area in which one is to be teaching and completed two years of successful, full-time or the equivalent of occupational experience within the past five years in an area related to the teaching specialty sought.

If an individual is seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education, an industry certification credential as defined in 8VAC20-23-10 in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement is required. If a teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth has not attained an industry certification credential in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement, the Virginia Board of Education may, upon request of the employing school division or educational agency, issue the teacher a provisional license to allow time for the teacher to attain such credential.

B. Technical Professional License. An endorsement in a specialized health occupations area may be granted to individuals who have:

1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;

2. A license or are certified as a professional practitioner in the area in which one is to be teaching;

3. Completed two years of full-time or the equivalent of occupational experience within the past five years in the teaching specialty sought;

4. Completed a health occupations certificate or associate degree program from an accredited institution in the teaching specialty area sought; and

5. Completed professional studies requirements (human development and learning: three semester hours; curriculum and instruction in career and technical education: three semester hours; and applications of instructional technology or classroom and behavior management: three semester hours).

If an individual is seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education, an industry certification credential as defined in 8VAC20-23-10 in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement is required. If a teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth has not attained an industry certification credential in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement, the Virginia Board of Education may, upon request of the employing school division or educational agency, issue the teacher a provisional license to allow time for the teacher to attain such credential.