Chapter 23. Licensure Regulations for School Personnel
Part I
Definitions
8VAC20-23-10. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly implies otherwise:
"Accredited institution" means an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
"Accredited virtual school or program" means a virtual school or program accredited by one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the Virginia Department of Education. School divisions operating as multi-division online providers may be deemed as meeting accreditation requirements if a majority of schools are fully accredited by the Virginia Board of Education.
"Alternate route to licensure" means a nontraditional route to licensure available to individuals who meet the criteria specified in guidelines developed by the board or 8VAC20-23-90.
"Approved program" means a professional education program recognized as meeting state standards for the content and operation of such programs so that graduates of the program will be eligible for state licensure. The Virginia Board of Education has the authority to approve programs in Virginia.
"Cancellation" means the withdrawal of a license following the voluntary return of the license by the license holder.
"Career and Technical Education License" means a three-year license available to qualified individuals to teach, either full time or part time, high school career and technical education courses in specific subject areas who meet requirements set forth in this chapter. Individuals issued a three-year Career and Technical Education License shall not be eligible for continuing contract status while teaching under such license and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303 of the Code of Virginia.
"Certified program provider" means a provider certified by the Virginia Department of Education to provide preparation and training for applicants seeking the Provisional License specified in 8VAC20-23-90.
"Career and Technical Education or Dual Enrollment License" means a three-year license to solely teach career and technical education courses or dual enrollment courses at public high schools in the Commonwealth issued to any individual who (i) is employed as an instructor by an accredited institution, (ii) is teaching in the specific career and technical education or dual enrollment subject area at such institution in which the individual seeks to teach at a public school, and (iii) complies with the requirements set forth in subdivisions D 1 and D 3 of § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia. The Virginia Board of Education shall require any such instructor to maintain continuous employment in such position at the institution of higher education as a condition of continued license.
"Collegiate Professional License" means a 10-year, renewable teaching license available to an individual who has satisfied all requirements for licensure set forth in this chapter, including an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and the professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
"Denial" means the refusal to grant a license.
"Division Superintendent License" means a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has completed an earned master's degree from an accredited institution and meets the requirements specified in 8VAC20-23-630. The individual's name shall be listed on the Virginia Board of Education's list of eligible division superintendents.
"Experiential learning" means a process of applying for an initial license through the alternate route as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education and meeting the criteria specified in 8VAC20-23-90 E to be eligible to request experiential learning credits in lieu of the coursework for the endorsement (teaching) content area.
"Industry certification credential" means an active career and technical education credential that is earned by successfully completing a Virginia Board of Education-approved industry certification examination, being issued a professional license in the Commonwealth, or successfully completing an occupational competency examination.
"International Educator License" means a professional teaching license issued for no more than five years to an exchange teacher with citizenship in a nation other than the United States of America who meets requirements by a state-approved, federally designated Exchange Visitor Program and who is employed as a teacher in a Virginia public school or an accredited nonpublic school.
"Licensure by reciprocity" means a process used to issue a license to an individual coming into Virginia from another state when that individual meets certain conditions specified in this chapter.
"Mentor" means a classroom teacher hired by the local school division who has achieved continuing contract status or other instructional personnel including retired teachers who meet local mentor selection criteria. The mentor should work in the same building as the beginning teacher or be instructional personnel who is assigned solely as a mentor. A mentor should be assigned a limited number of teachers at any time. Instructional personnel who are not assigned solely as mentors should not be assigned to more than four teachers at any time. Mentors guide teachers in the program through demonstrations, observations, and consultations.
"One-Year High School License" means a license valid for one year and renewable thereafter in one-year increments to teach in public high schools for individuals who have met requirements for such license as set forth in this chapter.
"Online Teacher License" means a 10-year, renewable license valid only for teaching online courses. Teachers who hold a five-year or 10-year renewable license issued by the Virginia Board of Education may teach online courses for which they are properly endorsed and do not need to seek this license.
"Postgraduate Professional License" means a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has qualified for the Collegiate Professional License and who holds an appropriate earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
"Professional studies" means courses and other learning experiences designed to prepare individuals in the areas of human development and learning, curriculum and instruction, assessment of and for learning, classroom and behavior management, foundations of education and the teaching profession, language and literacy, and supervised clinical experiences.
"Professional teacher assessment" means those tests or other requirements mandated for licensure as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
"Provisional License" means a nonrenewable license valid for a specified period of time not to exceed three years issued to an individual who has allowable deficiencies for full licensure as set forth in this chapter.
"Pupil Personnel Services License" means a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has earned an appropriate graduate degree from an accredited institution with an endorsement as a school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, or vocational evaluator. This license does not require teaching experience unless otherwise outlined under the specific endorsement's requirements.
"Renewable license" means a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education for 10 years, unless otherwise specified, to an individual who meets all requirements specified in this chapter.
"Reprimand" means a written admonishment of a license holder that does not result in the withdrawal of a license.
"Revocation" means the withdrawal of a license.
"School Manager License" means a 10-year, renewable license intended to provide for a differentiation of administrative responsibilities in a school setting. A school manager is licensed to administer noninstructional responsibilities in an educational setting. A school manager is restricted from evaluating teachers, supervising instruction, developing and evaluating curriculum, and serving as a school's student disciplinarian. The license is available to a candidate who holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; has three years of successful managerial experience; and is recommended for the license by a Virginia school division superintendent.
"Suspension" means the temporary withdrawal of a license.
"Technical Professional License" means a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has graduated from a public or accredited nonpublic high school (or possesses a Virginia Board of Education-approved high school equivalency credential); has exhibited academic proficiency, technical competency, and successful occupational experience; and meets the requirements specified in 8VAC20-23-50 A 4.
"Teach For America License" means a two-year provisional license available to an individual who is a participant in Teach For America and meets the requirements specified in 8VAC20-23-50.
"Universal licensure by reciprocity" means the issuance of a license as a teacher in the Commonwealth to any individual who holds a valid out-of-state teaching license with full credentials and without deficiencies that has been in force and in use by the individual as an employed teacher in a nonvirtual classroom setting at a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least three years prior to and is in force at the time the department receives the individual's application for license as a teacher in the Commonwealth.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 3, eff. October 25, 2024.
Part II
Administering the Regulations
8VAC20-23-20. Administering this chapter.
A. In administering this chapter, modifications may be made in exceptional cases by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Proposed modifications shall be made in writing to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120.
B. In administering this chapter, competencies required for endorsement areas are outlined in the Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia (8VAC20-543). This document should be referenced for detailed information regarding coursework content for endorsements. Individuals shall complete the semester hours required for endorsement areas, or the equivalent, that shall be documented and approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
C. Virginia school divisions may submit requests to the Virginia Department of Education for determination of appropriate endorsements for blended or integrated course options.
D. A local school board or division superintendent may waive any of the following applicable licensure requirements for any individual whom it seeks to employ as a career and technical education teacher and who is also seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education:
1. Demonstrated proficiency in the relevant content area, communication, literacy, and other core skills for educators by achieving a qualifying score on professional assessments or meeting alternative evaluation standards as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
2. Study in attention deficit disorder;
3. Study in gifted education, including the use of multiple criteria to identify gifted students;
4. Study in methods of improving communication between schools and families and ways of increasing family involvement in student learning at home and at school;
5. Renewal requirements, including professional development in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
6. Demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing Braille; and
7. Initial or renewal requirement to complete awareness training, provided by the Virginia Department of Education, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the Virginia Board of Education pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
E. Upon the effective date of this chapter, the Virginia Board of Education grants a one-year transition period for the implementation of this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021.
Part III
Licensure
8VAC20-23-30. Purpose and responsibility for licensure.
The primary purpose for licensing teachers and other school personnel is to maintain standards of professional competence. The responsibility for licensure is set forth in § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia, which states that the Virginia Board of Education shall prescribe by regulation the requirements for licensure of teachers.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-40. Conditions for licensure.
A. Applicants for licensure shall:
1. Be at least 18 years of age;
2. Pay the appropriate fees as determined by the Virginia Board of Education and complete the application process;
3. Have earned a baccalaureate degree, with the exception of the Technical Professional License, from an accredited institution and meet requirements for the license sought. Persons seeking initial licensure through approved programs from Virginia institutions of higher education shall only be licensed as instructional personnel if the education endorsement programs have approval by the Virginia Board of Education; individuals who have earned a degree from an institution in another country shall hold the equivalent of an accredited institution degree in the United States, as verified by a Virginia Department of Education-approved credential evaluation agency, for the required degree for the license; and
4. Possess good moral character and be free of conditions outlined in Part VII (8VAC20-23-720 et seq.) of this chapter.
B. All candidates who hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and who seek an initial Virginia teaching license shall obtain passing scores on professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. With the exception of the career switcher program that requires assessments as prerequisites, individuals shall complete the professional teacher's assessment requirements within the three-year validity of the initial provisional license. Candidates seeking a Technical Professional License, International Educator License, School Manager License, or Pupil Personnel Services License are not required to take the professional teacher's assessments. Individuals who hold a valid out-of-state license (full credential without deficiencies) and who have completed a minimum of three years of full-time, successful teaching experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, kindergarten through grade 12, outside of Virginia are exempt from the professional teacher's assessment requirements. Documentation shall be submitted to verify the school's status as a public or an accredited nonpublic school.
C. All individuals seeking an initial endorsement in early/primary education preK-3, elementary education preK-6, special education-general curriculum, special education-deaf and hard of hearing, special education-blindness and visual impairments, and individuals seeking an endorsement as a reading specialist shall obtain passing scores on a reading instructional assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
D. Licensure by reciprocity is set forth in 8VAC20-23-100. A school leader's licensure assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education shall be met for all individuals who are seeking an endorsement authorizing them to serve as principals and assistant principals in the public schools. Individuals seeking an initial administration and supervision endorsement who are interested in serving as central office instructional personnel are not required to take and pass the school leaders licensure assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
E. Individuals seeking initial licensure shall demonstrate proficiency in the relevant content area, communication, literacy, and other core skills for educators by achieving a qualifying score on professional assessments or meeting alternative evaluation standards as prescribed by the board; complete study in attention deficit disorder; complete study in gifted education, including the use of multiple criteria to identify gifted students; and complete study in methods of improving communication between schools and families and ways of increasing family involvement in student learning at home and at school.
F. Every person seeking initial licensure shall (i) complete awareness training provided by the Department of Education on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the board pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia; (ii) complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Virginia Department of Social Services; and (iii) provide evidence of completion of certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators. The certification or training program shall (a) be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, and (b) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Virginia Board of Education shall provide a waiver for this requirement for any person with a disability whose disability prohibits such person from completing the certification or training.
G. Every person seeking initial licensure as a teacher who has not received the instruction described in subsection D of § 23.1-902 of the Code of Virginia shall receive instruction or training on positive behavior interventions and supports; crisis prevention and de-escalation; the use of physical restraint and seclusion, consistent with regulations of the Virginia Board of Education; and appropriate alternative methods to reduce and prevent the need for the use of physical restraint and seclusion.
H. The teacher of record for verified credit courses for high school graduation shall hold a Virginia license with the appropriate content endorsement.
I. Every teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education shall have an industry certification credential, as defined in 8VAC20-23-10, in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement. 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.
J. Every person seeking renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by the Virginia Department of Education, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the Virginia Board of Education pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
K. Every person seeking renewal of a license as a teacher shall complete training in the instruction of students with disabilities that includes (i) differentiating instruction for students depending on needs; (ii) understanding the role of general education teachers on individual education program teams; (iii) implementing effective models of collaborative instruction, including co-teaching; and (iv) understanding the goals and benefits of inclusive education for all students.
L. No teacher who seeks a provisional license shall be required to meet any requirement set forth in subsection F or G of this section as a condition of such licensure, but each teacher shall complete each such requirement during the first year of provisional licensure.
M. Every person seeking initial licensure of a license with an endorsement as a school counselor shall complete training in the recognition of mental health disorder and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse.
N. Every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license with an endorsement in history and social sciences shall complete instruction in African American history, which shall include (i) an understanding of African origins; (ii) the African diaspora; (iii) developments of the Black experience in North America; (iv) the institution of slavery in the United States, including historical perspectives of the enslaved; and (v) how African Americans helped shape and have been shaped by American society.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-50. Types of licenses; dating licenses.
A. The following types of licenses are available:
1. Provisional License. The Provisional License is a nonrenewable license valid for a period not to exceed three years issued to an individual who has allowable deficiencies for full licensure as set forth in this chapter. The Provisional License will be issued for a three-year validity period, with the exception of the Provisional (Career Switcher) License that will initially be issued for a one-year validity period and the Provisional Teach For America License issued for a two-year validity period. Individuals shall complete all requirements for licensure, including passing all licensure assessments, for a renewable license within the validity period of the Provisional License. The individual shall have a minimum of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with the exception of those individuals seeking the Technical Professional License.
The Virginia Board of Education shall extend for at least one additional year, but for no more than two additional years, the three-year provisional license of a teacher upon receiving from the division superintendent (i) a recommendation for such extension and (ii) satisfactory performance evaluations for such teacher for each year during the original three-year provisional license that such teacher was actually employed and received a filed performance evaluation.
The Virginia Board of Education shall extend for at least one additional year, but for no more than two additional years, the three-year provisional license of a teacher employed at an accredited private elementary, middle, or high school or a school for students with disabilities that is licensed pursuant to Chapter 16 (§ 22.1-319 et seq.) of Title 22.1 of the Code of Virginia upon receiving from the school administrator of such a school (i) a recommendation for such extension and (ii) satisfactory performance evaluations for such teacher for each year of the original three-year provisional license. If a teacher employed in the Commonwealth under a provisional license is activated or deployed for military service within a school year (July 1 through June 30), an additional year shall be added to the teacher's provisional license for each school year or portion thereof during which the teacher is activated or deployed. The additional year shall be granted the year following the return of the teacher from deployment or activation.
The Virginia Board of Education shall issue a license to an individual seeking initial licensure who has not completed professional assessments as prescribed by the board if such individual (i) holds a provisional license that will expire within three months; (ii) is employed by a school board; (iii) is recommended for licensure by the division superintendent; (iv) has attempted, unsuccessfully, to obtain a qualifying score on the professional assessments as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; (v) has received an evaluation rating of proficient or above on the performance standards for each year of the provisional license, and such evaluation was conducted in a manner consistent with the Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents; and (vi) meets all other requirements for initial licensure.
2. Collegiate Professional License. The Collegiate Professional License is a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has satisfied all requirements for licensure, including an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and the professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
3. Postgraduate Professional License. The Postgraduate Professional License is a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has qualified for the Collegiate Professional License and who holds an appropriate earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
4. Technical Professional License. The Technical Professional License is a 10-year, renewable license available to a person who has graduated from a public or an accredited nonpublic high school or possesses a Virginia Board of Education-approved high school equivalency credential; has exhibited academic proficiency, skills in literacy and communication, technical competency, and successful occupational experience; has completed nine semester hours of specialized professional studies credit from an accredited institution; and has completed one year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in the area of endorsement. The nine semester hours of professional studies coursework shall include three semester hours of human development and learning, three semester hours of curriculum and instruction, and three semester hours of applications of instructional technology or classroom and behavior management. Individuals who seek a Technical Professional License may substitute the successful completion of an intensive, job-embedded, three-year program of professional development submitted by a Virginia employing educational agency and preapproved by the Department of Education for the nine semester hours of professional studies required. The Technical Professional License is issued at the recommendation of a Virginia employing educational agency in the areas of career and technical education, educational technology, and military science. Individuals seeking an endorsement to teach military science shall have the appropriate credentials issued by the United States military. Individuals holding a Technical Professional License may teach a military science leadership class with either the appropriate credentials issued by the United States military or (for non-Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) a recommendation from a Virginia employing educational agency. The employing Virginia educational agency shall ensure the credentials issued by the United States military are active during the period the individual is teaching. In addition to demonstrating competency in the endorsement area sought, the individual shall:
a. Hold a valid license issued by the appropriate Virginia board for those program areas requiring a license and a minimum of two years of successful experience at the journeyman level or an equivalent. The employing Virginia educational agency shall ensure that the valid license issued by the appropriate Virginia board for the occupational program area is active during the period the individual is teaching;
b. Have completed a registered apprenticeship program and two years of successful experience at the journeyman level or an equivalent level in the trade; or
c. Have four years of successful work experience at the management or supervisory level or equivalent or have a combination of four years of training and successful work experience at the management or supervisory level or equivalent.
Individuals holding the Technical Professional License who seek the Collegiate Professional or Postgraduate Professional License shall meet the requirements of the respective licenses.
5. School Manager License. The School Manager License is a 10-year, renewable license intended to provide for the differentiation of administrative responsibilities in a school setting. A school manager is licensed to administer noninstructional responsibilities in an educational setting. A school manager is restricted from evaluating teachers, supervising instruction, developing and evaluating curriculum, and serving as a school's student disciplinarian. The license is available to a candidate who holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, has three years of successful managerial experience, and is recommended for the license by a Virginia school division superintendent.
6. Pupil Personnel Services License. The Pupil Personnel Services License is a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has earned an appropriate graduate degree from an accredited institution with an endorsement for school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, or vocational evaluator. This license does not require teaching experience, unless otherwise outlined under the specific endorsement's requirements.
7. Division Superintendent License. The Division Superintendent License is a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has completed an earned master's degree from an accredited institution and meets the requirements specified in 8VAC20-23-630. The individual's name shall be listed on the Virginia Board of Education's list of eligible division superintendents.
8. International Educator License. The International Educator License provides a five-year cultural exchange opportunity for Virginia students and international teachers. The International Educator License is a professional teaching license issued for no more than five years to an exchange teacher with citizenship in a nation other than the United States of America who is employed as a teacher in a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school. To be issued the five-year, nonrenewable International Educator License, an individual serving as a cultural exchange teacher in Virginia shall:
a. Be employed by a Virginia public or an accredited nonpublic school;
b. Hold non-United States citizenship and be a nonpermanent resident; and
c. Meet the following requirements as verified by a state-approved, federally designated Exchange Visitor Program (22 CFR Part 62):
(1) Be proficient in written and spoken English;
(2) Demonstrate competence in the appropriate academic subject area by meeting the credential requirements for a qualified teacher in the exchange country;
(3) Hold the United States equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher as determined by an approved credential evaluation agency; and
(4) Complete at least two years of successful full-time teaching experience that enables the educator to fulfill a similar assignment in the educator's home country or is comparable to those requirements for Virginia teachers.
If an individual meets requirements of subdivisions 8 a, 8 b, 8 c (1), 8 c (2), and 8 c (3) of this subsection and has completed at least one year but less than two years of successful full-time teaching experience that would enable the educator to fulfill a similar assignment in the educator's home country or is comparable to those requirements for Virginia teachers, the International Educator License will be issued for three years with an option to extend the nonrenewable International Educator License for the additional two years upon passing all teacher assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education and a recommendation of the Virginia employing school division or accredited nonpublic school.
Individuals who have been issued an International Educator License who seek a 10-year, renewable license shall meet all licensure and endorsement requirements, including passing applicable assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
9. Online Teacher License. The Online Teacher License is a 10-year, renewable license valid only for teaching online courses. Teachers who hold a five-year or 10-year renewable license issued by the Virginia Board of Education may teach online courses for which they are properly endorsed and do not need to seek this license.
a. In order to be issued an Online Teacher License, the individual shall meet the requirements for an endorsement in a content (teaching) area and professional studies and achieve qualifying scores on professional teacher's assessments as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. In addition, the individual shall complete a three-semester-hour course in online instructional procedures.
Online instructional procedures: Three semester hours. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of online learning and online instructional strategies and the application of skills and the ability to use the Internet for teaching, learning, and management; design, deliver, and support instruction in an online environment; adapt strategies for a variety of course models, such as synchronous and asynchronous; select, adapt, and create rich multimedia for instruction; adapt individualized education program requirements to online course practices, as appropriate; use data to meet individual student's needs; and employ innovative teaching strategies in an online environment. Demonstrated proficiency of advanced skills in the following areas shall be addressed: use of communication technologies to interact with and engage students, parents, and mentors; use of education technologies; management of instructional activities in a technology-mediated environment; and nontraditional content delivery methods.
b. Online teaching experience is not acceptable to meet the full-time teaching experience for other license types, such as a Division Superintendent License, or for endorsements, such as for the reading specialist, school counselor, or administration and supervision endorsements. The Online Teacher License may be issued if requirements have been met as one of the following licenses to individuals teaching only online courses:
(1) Online Teacher (Postgraduate Professional) License - a 10-year, renewable license available to an individual who has qualified for the Online Teacher (Collegiate Professional) License and who holds an appropriate earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
(2) Online Teacher (Collegiate Professional) License - a 10-year, renewable teaching license available to an individual who has satisfied all requirements for licensure, including an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, endorsement and professional studies requirements, and passed the professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
(3) Online Teacher (Technical Professional) License - a 10-year, renewable teaching license available to an individual who has graduated from a public or an accredited nonpublic high school or possesses a Virginia Board of Education-approved high school equivalency credential; has exhibited academic proficiency, technical competency, and occupational experience; and meets the requirements specified in subdivision 4 of this subsection. An individual seeking an Online Teacher (Technical Professional) License shall be recommended for the license by a Virginia public school, a Virginia accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school program.
c. A nonrenewable Online Teacher (Provisional) License may be issued for a period not to exceed three years to an individual who has allowable deficiencies for full licensure as set forth in 8VAC20-23-90 B. The Online (Provisional) License will be issued for three years. The individual shall have a minimum of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with the exception of those individuals seeking the Technical Professional License. Individuals shall complete all requirements for a renewable Online Teacher License within the validity period of the license.
10. Teach For America License. The Teach For America License is a two-year provisional license.
a. This provisional license is available to any participant in Teach For America, a nationwide nonprofit organization focused on closing the achievement gaps between students in high-income and low-income areas, who submits an application and meets the following requirements:
(1) Holds, at minimum, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
(2) Has met the requirements prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education for all endorsements sought or has met the qualifying scores on the content area assessment prescribed by the board for the endorsements sought;
(3) Possesses good moral character according to criteria developed by the Virginia Board of Education;
(4) Has been offered and has accepted placement in Teach For America;
(5) Has successfully completed preservice training and is participating in the professional development requirements of Teach For America, including teaching frameworks, curricula, lesson planning, instructional delivery, classroom management, assessment and evaluation of student progress, classroom diversity, and literacy development;
(6) Has an offer of employment from a local school board to teach in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth or a preschool program that receives state funds pursuant to subsection C of § 22.1-199.1 of the Code of Virginia; and
(7) Receives a recommendation from the employing school division for a Teach For America License in the endorsement area in which the individual seeks to be licensed.
b. In addition to the criteria set forth in subdivision 10 a of this subsection, any individual who seeks an endorsement in early childhood, early/primary, or elementary education shall either (i) agree to complete such coursework in the teaching of language and literacy as may be prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education pursuant to 8VAC20-23-130 during the first year of employment or (ii) achieve a passing score on a reading instructional assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
c. Teachers issued a Teach For America provisional license shall not be eligible for continuing contract status while employed under the authority of a Teach For America license and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303 of the Code of Virginia.
d. The Virginia Board of Education may extend any Teach For America License for one additional year upon request of the employing school division, provided that no Teach For America License shall exceed a total of three years in length.
e. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, upon completion of at least two years of full-time teaching experience in a public elementary or secondary school in the Commonwealth or a preschool program that receives state funds pursuant to subsection C of § 22.1-199.1 of the Code of Virginia, an individual holding a Teach For America License shall be eligible to receive a renewable license if the individual has (i) achieved satisfactory scores on all professional teacher assessments required by the Virginia Board of Education and (ii) received satisfactory evaluations at the conclusion of each year of employment.
f. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Virginia Board of Education shall issue a Teach For America License to any individual who (i) has completed two years of successful teaching in the Teach For America program in another state, (ii) is not eligible to receive a renewable license, and (iii) meets the criteria set forth in subdivision 10 a of this subsection.
11. Career and Technical Education License. The Career and Technical Education License is a three-year license.
a. This license is available to qualified individuals to teach, either full time or part time, high school career and technical education courses in specific subject areas.
b. The three-year license is issued to teach high school career and technical education courses in a specific subject area to an individual who:
(1) Submits an application to the Virginia Board of Education, in the form prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education, that includes a recommendation for such a license from the local school board;
(2) Meets certain basic conditions for licensure as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
(3) Meets one of the following requirements:
(a) Holds, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and has completed coursework in the career and technical education subject area in which the individual seeks to teach;
(b) Holds the required professional license in the specific career and technical education subject area in which the individual seeks to teach, where applicable; or
(c) Holds an industry certification credential, as that term is defined in § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia, in the specific career and technical education subject area in which the individual seeks to teach;
(4) Has at least four years of full-time work experience or its equivalent in the specific career and technical education subject area in which the individual seeks to teach; and
(5) If appropriate, has obtained qualifying scores on the communication and literacy professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
c. The employing school board shall assign a mentor to supervise an individual issued a three-year license pursuant to this section during the individual's first two years of teaching.
d. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision A 11 e of this section, any individual issued a three-year license pursuant to this section may be granted subsequent three-year extensions of such license by the Virginia Board of Education upon recommendation of the local school board.
e. Any individual issued a three-year license pursuant to this section who completes (i) nine semester hours of specialized professional studies credit from an accredited institution or (ii) an alternative course of professional studies proposed by the local school board and approved by the Virginia Department of Education shall be granted a three-year extension of such license by the board and may be granted subsequent three-year extensions of such license by the board upon recommendation of the local school board. Any such specialized professional studies credit or alternative course of professional studies may be completed through distance learning programs and shall include human growth and development; curriculum, instructional, and technology procedures; and classroom and behavior management.
f. No three-year license issued by the board pursuant to this section shall be deemed a provisional license or a renewable license, as those terms are defined in § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia.
g. Individuals issued a three-year license pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for continuing contract status while teaching under such license and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303 of the Code of Virginia.
h. The provisions of this section and of Virginia Board of Education regulations governing the denial, suspension, cancellation, revocation, and reinstatement of licensure shall apply to three-year licenses.
12. One-Year High School License. The One-Year High School License is for individuals seeking licensure through an alternate route. The license is a renewable, one-year license issued to teach in public high schools for individuals who:
a. Received a graduate degree from an accredited institution;
b. Completed at least 30 credit hours of teaching experience as an instructor at an accredited institution;
c. Received qualifying scores on the professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education, including the communication and literacy assessment and the content-area assessment for the endorsement sought; and
d. Met the following requirements:
(1) Complete study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Department of Social Services that are relevant to the specific teacher licensure route; and
(2) Provide evidence of completion of certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators. The certification or training program shall be (i) based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross and (ii) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Virginia Board of Education shall provide a waiver for this requirement for any person with a disability whose disability prohibits such person from completing the certification or training.
The license may be renewed for one year by the submission of an application for renewal and verification from the division superintendent that the individual received a satisfactory performance evaluation.
13. Career and Technical Education or Dual Enrollment License. The Career and Technical Education or Dual Enrollment License is a three-year license to solely teach career and technical education courses or dual enrollment courses at public high schools in the Commonwealth issued to any individual who (i) is employed as an instructor by an institution of higher education that is accredited by a nationally recognized regional accreditation body, (ii) is teaching in the specific career and technical education or dual enrollment subject area at such institution in which the individual seeks to teach at a public school, and (iii) complies with the requirements set forth in subdivisions D 1 and D 3 of § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia. The Virginia Board of Education shall require any such instructor to maintain continuous employment in such position at the institution of higher education as a condition of continued licensure. Subsections E and F of 8VAC20-23-40 shall expire on July 1, 2021; however, any license issued pursuant to this chapter prior to July 1, 2021, shall remain in effect for three years from the date the license was issued unless such license is revoked by the Virginia Board of Education.
B. All licenses will be effective from July 1 in the school year in which the application is made. An employing Virginia public school division, agency, or accredited nonpublic school is required to notify employees in writing at the time of employment of the need to meet appropriate assessment requirements for licensure.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022; Volume 40, Issue 5, eff. November 22, 2023; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-60. Designations on licenses for career paths to teaching.
A. Designations on licenses will reflect stages in the professional development of teachers and promote continuing growth and career paths as educators.
B. Teaching licenses may be issued with one of the following designations, and the designation will be processed as an add-on endorsement. These designations will not apply to the Division Superintendent License, School Manager License, International Educator License, or Pupil Personnel Services License.
1. Career Teacher: This voluntary teacher designation will be issued on a renewable teaching license for individuals who have gained continuing contract status in Virginia and who apply for the Career Teacher designation.
2. Mentor Teacher: This voluntary teacher designation will be issued on a renewable teaching license for individuals who have (i) achieved the Career Teacher designation, (ii) received a recommendation for the designation from an employing Virginia school division superintendent or designee or accredited nonpublic school head, (iii) served at least three years as a mentor teacher in Virginia, (iv) documented responsibilities as a mentor, and (v) completed a local or state mentor teacher training program in accordance with the Virginia Board of Education requirements for mentor teachers in the Virginia Board of Education Mentor Teacher Guidelines.
3. Teacher as Leader: This voluntary teacher designation will be issued on a renewable teaching license for individuals who have (i) achieved the Career Teacher designation; (ii) completed at least five years of successful, full-time teaching experience in a Virginia public school or accredited nonpublic school; (iii) received a recommendation from an employing Virginia school division superintendent or designee or an accredited nonpublic school head; (iv) and completed one of the following:
a. National Board Certification or a nationally recognized certification program approved by the Virginia Board of Education and a recommendation from an employing Virginia school division superintendent or designee or accredited nonpublic school head and documentation, in an approved Virginia Department of Education format, verifying the individual's demonstrated skills and abilities as a school leader and direct contributions to school effectiveness and student achievement; or
b. A recommendation from an employing Virginia school division superintendent or designee or accredited nonpublic school head and documentation, in an approved Virginia Department of Education format, verifying the individual's demonstrated skills and abilities as a school leader and direct contributions to school effectiveness and student achievement.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-70. Additional endorsements.
A. An individual who holds a teaching license may add an additional teaching endorsement to the license by passing a rigorous academic subject test for endorsements in which a test is prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. This testing option does not apply to individuals (i) who are seeking an early/primary education preK-3 or elementary education preK-6 endorsement, special education endorsements, or a reading specialist endorsement or (ii) who hold a Technical Professional License, Vocational Evaluator License, Pupil Personnel Services License, School Manager License, or Division Superintendent License.
B. One or more endorsements may be added to a license, provided that specific endorsement requirements have been met. Written requests may be made by the licensed professional and should be directed to the Virginia employing educational agency (if the individual has such employment) or college or university. If the request is not acted upon by the local educational agency or college or university within 30 days or is disputed, the license holder may make a written request for an additional endorsement directly to the Office of Professional Licensure, Virginia Department of Education. Written requests should be submitted by January 15 to be in effect by July 1 of the same calendar year.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-80. Deletion of an endorsement.
An endorsement may be deleted from a license at the request of the licensed professional. Written requests are made by the licensed professional and should be directed to the employing educational agency. If the request is not acted upon by the local educational agency within 30 days or is disputed, the license holder may make a written request for the deletion of an endorsement directly to the Office of Professional Licensure, Virginia Department of Education. Written requests should be submitted by January 15 to be in effect on July 1 of that calendar year. Individuals who wish to add an endorsement that has been deleted shall meet requirements for that endorsement at the time it is requested.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-90. Alternate routes to licensure.
A. Career switcher alternate route to licensure for career professionals - Provisional (Career Switcher) License. For those applicants seeking a teaching endorsement in special education, this option does not supplant subsection C of this section but provides an additional pathway to a provisional license.
1. An individual seeking a Provisional (Career Switcher) License through the career switcher program shall meet the following prerequisite requirements:
a. An application process;
b. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
c. The completion of requirements for an endorsement in a teaching area or the equivalent through verifiable experience or academic study;
d. At least three years of successful full-time work experience or its equivalent; and
e. Virginia qualifying scores on the professional teacher's assessments as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
2. The Provisional (Career Switcher) License is awarded at the end of Level I preparation for an initial validity period of one school year. All components of the career switcher alternate route for career professionals shall be completed by the candidate.
3. The Level I requirements shall be completed during the course of a single year and may be offered through a variety of delivery systems, including distance learning programs. If an employing agency recommends extending the Provisional (Career Switcher) License for a second year, the candidate will enter Level III of the program. Career switcher programs shall submit program documentation as set forth by the Virginia Department of Education for review and be certified every seven years by the Virginia Department of Education.
a. Level I preparation. Intensive Level I preparation includes a minimum of 180 clock hours of instruction, including field experience. This phase includes human development and learning; curriculum and instruction, including technology; language and literacy; specific course content relating to the Virginia Standards of Learning; foundations of education and the teaching profession; classroom and behavior management; and assessment of and for learning.
b. Level II preparation during first year of employment.
(1) Candidate seeks employment in Virginia with the one-year Provisional (Career Switcher) License.
(2) Continued Level II preparation during the first year of employment with a minimum of five seminars that expand the intensive preparation requirements listed in subdivision 3 a of this subsection. The five seminars will include a minimum of 20 cumulative instructional hours. A variety of instructional delivery techniques will be utilized to implement the seminars.
(3) One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school under a one-year Provisional (Career Switcher) License. A trained mentor shall be assigned to assist the candidate during the first year of employment. Responsibilities of the mentor include the following:
(a) Collaborate with the beginning teacher in the development and implementation of an individualized professional development plan;
(b) Observe, assess, coach, and provide opportunities for constructive feedback, including strategies for self-reflection;
(c) Share resources and materials;
(d) Share best instructional, assessment, and organizational practices; classroom and behavior management strategies; and techniques for promoting varied and effective methods of communication with and among students; and
(e) Provide general support and direction regarding school policies and procedures.
(4) Upon successful completion of the Levels I and II preparation requirements of the career switcher alternate route to licensure program and submission of a recommendation from the employing Virginia educational agency, the candidate will be eligible to apply for a 10-year, renewable license. Renewal requirements for the regular license will be subject to current regulations of the Virginia Board of Education.
c. Level III preparation, if required.
(1) Post preparation, if required, will be conducted by the employing Virginia educational agency to address the areas where improvement is needed as identified in the candidate's professional improvement plan; and
(2) Upon successful completion of Levels I, II, and, if required, Level III of the career switcher alternate route to licensure program and submission of a recommendation from the employing Virginia educational agency, the candidate will be eligible to receive a 10-year renewable license.
4. Verification of program completion will be documented by the certified program provider and the division superintendent or designee.
5. Certified providers implementing a career switcher program may charge a fee for participation in the program.
6. Each individual pursuing a Provisional (Career Switcher) License who seeks an endorsement in special education (i) shall complete at least 60% of the requirements set forth in 8VAC20-543-500 as part of Level I preparation and (ii) shall complete the remaining requirements set forth in 8VAC20-543-500 as part of Level II and Level III preparation.
B. An alternate route is available to individuals employed by a Virginia educational agency who seek teaching endorsements preK through grade 12. The employing Virginia educational agency may request a nonrenewable Provisional License on behalf of the individual if the individual has completed an allowable portion of professional studies and endorsement requirements. An employed teacher may demonstrate meeting the teaching endorsement requirements by passing a rigorous academic subject test for endorsements in which a test is prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. This testing option does not apply to individuals (i) who are seeking an early/primary education preK-3 or elementary education preK-6 endorsement, special education endorsements, or a reading specialist endorsement or (ii) who hold a Technical Professional License, Vocational Evaluator License, Pupil Personnel Services License, School Manager License, or Division Superintendent License. This route also is available to individuals who are employed by a Virginia public school, a Virginia accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school or program and who are seeking the Online Teacher License that is issued to teachers who teach only online courses. The Provisional License will be issued for a validity period not to exceed three years. The Provisional License is a nonrenewable teaching license valid for a period not to exceed three years. Individuals shall complete all licensure requirements to become eligible for the 10-year, renewable license.
1. An individual seeking a license through this alternate route shall have met the following requirements:
a. Entered the teaching field through the alternate route to licensure upon the recommendation of the employing Virginia educational agency. For the Online Teacher Provisional License, individuals shall be employed by a Virginia public school division, a Virginia accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school or program;
b. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with the exception of individuals seeking the Technical Professional License;
c. Have met requirements for the endorsement area; and
d. Need to complete an allowable portion of professional studies and licensure requirements.
2. The professional studies requirements for the appropriate level of endorsement sought shall be completed. A Virginia educational agency may submit to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for approval an alternate program to meet the professional studies requirements. The alternate program shall include training such as seminar, internship, or coursework in human development and learning; curriculum and instruction, including technology; assessment of and for learning; classroom and behavior management; foundations of education and the teaching profession, including legal status of teachers and students, federal and state laws, and teacher evaluation as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education's guidelines for performance standards and evaluation criteria established pursuant to § 22.1-253.13:5 B of the Code of Virginia and language and literacy.
3. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in the appropriate teaching area in a Virginia public or an accredited nonpublic school shall be completed. For the Online Teacher License only, one year of successful online teaching experience in the endorsement area in a public school division, an accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school or program may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience. A fully licensed experienced teacher shall be available in the school building to assist the beginning teacher employed through the alternate route.
C. Alternate route in special education. The Provisional (Special Education) License is a nonrenewable teaching license issued for a validity period not to exceed three years to an individual employed as a special education teacher in a public school or a nonpublic school in Virginia who does not hold the appropriate special education endorsement. The Provisional (Special Education) License will be issued only with endorsements in special education. The Provisional License is a nonrenewable teaching license valid for a period not to exceed three years. This alternate route to special education endorsement is not applicable to individuals seeking the Online Teacher License. To be issued the Provisional (Special Education) License through this alternate route, an individual shall:
1. Be employed by a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school as a special education teacher and have the recommendation of the employing educational agency;
2. Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
3. Have an assigned mentor with an active Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in special education; and
4. Have a planned program of study in the assigned endorsement area, make progress toward meeting the endorsement requirements each of the three years of the license, and 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.
The Provisional (Special Education) License issued through this alternate route shall not be issued without the completion of these prerequisites.
D. Alternate programs at institutions of higher education or Virginia school divisions. Alternate programs developed by institutions of higher education (i) recognize the unique strengths of prospective teachers from nontraditional backgrounds and (ii) prepare these individuals to meet the same standards that are established for others who are granted a license through an alternate route.
E. Experiential learning. Individuals applying for an initial teaching license through the alternate route as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education shall meet the following criteria to be eligible to request that experiential learning satisfy the coursework for the endorsement (teaching) content area:
1. Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
2. Have at least three years of documented successful full-time work experience that may include specialized training related to the endorsement sought; and
3. Have met the Virginia qualifying score on the content knowledge assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
Experiential learning does not apply to individuals seeking special education and preK-3 and preK-6 endorsements or endorsements in which there is no Virginia Board of Education-prescribed content or subject assessment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
8VAC20-23-100. Conditions for licensure for out-of-state candidates by reciprocity.
A. An individual coming into Virginia from any state may qualify for a Virginia teaching license with comparable endorsement areas if the individual (i) has completed a state-approved teacher preparation program through an accredited four-year institution or (ii) holds a valid out-of-state teaching license (full credential without deficiencies) that shall be in force at the time the application for a Virginia license is made. An individual shall meet licensure requirements set forth in the Code of Virginia. An individual seeking licensure shall establish a file in the Virginia Department of Education by submitting a complete application packet that includes official student transcripts. Unless exempted by the criteria in this chapter, professional teacher's assessment requirements prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education shall be satisfied.
B. An individual coming into Virginia will qualify for a Virginia teaching license with comparable endorsement areas if the individual holds an active national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) or a nationally recognized certification program approved by the Virginia Board of Education.
C. Licensure by reciprocity is provided for any spouse of an active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a member of the Virginia National Guard who has obtained a valid out-of-state license, with full credentials and without deficiencies, that is in force at the time the application for a Virginia license is received by the Virginia Department of Education. Each such individual shall establish a file in the Virginia Department of Education by submitting a complete application packet, which shall include official student transcripts and an official copy of the military permanent assignment orders of the individual's spouse. No service requirements or licensing assessments shall be required for any such individual. The Virginia Department of Education shall determine and communicate such individual's eligibility for licensure by reciprocity within 15 business days of receipt of the complete application packet.
D. Universal licensure by reciprocity shall be provided for any individual who holds a valid out-of-state teaching license with full credentials and without deficiencies that has been in force for at least three years prior to and is in force at the time of application. No service requirements or licensing assessments shall be required for any such individual who applies for universal licensure by reciprocity. Any individual who applies for universal licensure by reciprocity shall provide a copy of the individual's out-of-state teaching license that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection. Any such individual shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 22.1-296.2 and 22.1-296.4 of the Code of Virginia. The department shall prioritize applications for universal licensure by reciprocity.
E. For licensure by reciprocity, applicants may submit third-party employment verification forms.
F. For licensure by reciprocity, the board shall grant special consideration to individuals who have successfully completed a program offered by a provider that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 39, Issue 4, eff. November 9, 2022; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 3, eff. October 25, 2024.
8VAC20-23-110. Requirements for renewing a license.
A. The Division Superintendent, Postgraduate Professional, Collegiate Professional, Technical Professional, Pupil Personnel Services, Online Teacher, and School Manager Licenses may be renewed upon the completion of 270 professional development points within a 10-year validity period based on an individualized professional development plan that includes ongoing, sustained, and high-quality professional development. Individuals renewing a five-year renewable license must complete 180 professional development points. Every person seeking renewal of a license shall complete all renewal requirements, including professional development, in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education, except that no person seeking renewal of a license shall be required to satisfy any such requirement by completing coursework and earning credit at an institution of higher education.
B. An individual seeking renewal shall submit a completed licensure application at the time a renewal request is submitted.
C. Any individual licensed and endorsed to teach (i) middle school civics or economics or (ii) high school government or history who is seeking renewal of such license is required to demonstrate knowledge of Virginia history or state and local government by completing a module or professional development course specifically related to Virginia history or state and local government that has a value of five professional development points.
D. Every person seeking renewal of a license shall provide evidence of completion of certification or training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators. The certification or training program shall (i) be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, and (ii) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Virginia Board of Education shall provide a waiver for this requirement for any person with a disability whose disability prohibits such person from completing the certification or training.
E. Every person seeking renewal of a license with an endorsement as a school counselor shall complete training in the recognition of mental health disorder and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse.
F. Every person seeking renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by the Virginia Department of Education, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the Virginia Board of Education pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia.
G. Every person seeking renewal or initial license shall complete a study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Virginia Department of Social Services.
H. Every person seeking renewal of a license with an endorsement in history and social science shall complete instruction in African American history, which shall include (i) an understanding of African origins; (ii) the African diaspora; (iii) developments of the Black experience in North America; (iv) the institution of slavery in the United States, including historical perspectives of the enslaved; and (v) how African Americans helped shape and have been shaped by American society.
I. Every person seeking renewal of a license as a teacher shall complete training in the instruction of students with disabilities that includes (i) differentiating instruction for students depending on their needs; (ii) understanding the role of general education teachers on the individualized education program team; (iii) implementing effective models of collaborative instruction, including co-teaching; and (iv) understanding the goals and benefits of inclusive education for all students.
J. When provided by the state, individuals shall complete other professional development activities prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
K. Professional development points may be accrued by the completion of professional development activities to improve and increase instructional personnel's knowledge of the academic subjects the teachers teach or the area assigned from one or more of the following eight options, in accordance with Virginia Board of Education guidelines set forth in the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual.
1. College credit. Acceptable coursework offers content that provides new information and is offered on campus, off campus, or through extension by any accredited two-year or four-year institution. College coursework shall develop further experiences in subject content taught, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, leadership, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards and increasing student learning. No person seeking renewal of a license shall be required to complete coursework and earn credit at an institution of higher learning.
2. Professional conference. A professional conference is a workshop, institute, or seminar of four or more hours that contributes to ongoing, sustained, and high-quality professional development.
3. Curriculum development. Curriculum development is a group activity in which the license holder contributes to the improvement of the curriculum of a school, a school division, or an educational institution in the teaching area assigned. This includes the alignment of curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, and assessments to provide a system with clear expectations of what is to be taught and learned.
4. Publication of article. The article shall contribute to the education profession or to the body of knowledge of the license holder's teaching area or instructional position. This article shall be published in a recognized professional journal. Grant reports that present the results of educational research are acceptable, provided the license holder had an active role in planning, analyzing, interpreting, demonstrating, disseminating, or evaluating the study or innovation.
5. Publication of book. Books shall be published for purchase and shall contribute to the education profession or to the body of knowledge of the license holder's teaching area or instructional position. The published book shall increase the field of content knowledge; provide information on planning and assessment for evaluating and providing students with feedback that encourages student progress and measures student achievement; reference instruction, safety, and learning environment; and expand upon communication and community relations working with students, parents, and members of the community to promote broad support for student learning. Points will not be awarded for self-published books.
6. Mentorship. Mentoring is the process by which an experienced professional who has received mentorship training provides assistance to one or more persons for the purpose of improving the person's performance. Assistance may involve role modeling, direct instruction, demonstration, observation with feedback, developing of plans, and consultation to promote instructional excellence and increased student achievement. Mentoring may include the supervision of a field experience of a pre-service student teacher or an intern in an approved teacher or principal preparation program, as well as mentoring as part of the induction process for a beginning teacher or a first-year administrator. Individuals serving in this role and submitting documentation for license renewal based on the mentorship option shall receive training as a mentor prior to the assignment and at least once during the 10-year renewal cycle.
7. Educational project. Educational projects shall be planned, focused projects based on high standards of teaching and learning. Projects shall result in a written report or other tangible product. Projects shall contribute to the education profession or to the body of knowledge of the license holder's teaching area or instructional position. A project could include participation in new professional responsibilities, such as leading a school improvement initiative.
8. Professional development activity. Professional development activities shall focus on student learning and achievement, schoolwide educational improvement, leadership, subject content, teaching strategies, and use of technologies or other essential elements in teaching to high standards. Activities shall be planned, rigorous, systematic, and promote continuous inquiry and reflection. Local employing educational agencies are encouraged to design professional development activities that are conducted in school settings and linked to student learning and achievement.
L. The 270 points may be accrued by activities drawn from one or more of the eight renewal options. Individuals renewing a five-year renewable license must complete 180 professional development points as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. Renewal work is designed to provide licensed personnel with opportunities for professional development relative to the grade levels or teaching fields to which they are assigned or for which they seek an added endorsement. Such professional development encompasses (i) responsible remediation of any area of an individual's knowledge or skills that fails to meet the standards of competency and (ii) responsible efforts to increase the individual's knowledge of new developments in the field and to respond to new curricular demands within the individual's area of professional competence.
M. The proposed work toward renewal in certain options shall be approved in advance by the chief executive officer or designee of the employing educational agency. Persons who are not employed by an educational agency may renew a license by submitting to the Office of Professional Licensure, Virginia Department of Education, a renewal application, fee, the individualized renewal record, and verification of the completion of all renewal requirements, including official student transcripts of coursework taken at an accredited two-year or four-year institution.
N. Virginia school divisions and accredited nonpublic schools shall recommend renewal of licenses using the renewal point system.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
Part IV
Licensure Regulations Governing Early/Primary Education, Elementary Education, and Middle Education Endorsements
8VAC20-23-120. Early/primary education, elementary education, and middle education endorsements.
Individuals seeking licensure with endorsements in early/primary education, elementary education, and middle education may meet requirements through the completion of an approved program, or if employed by a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school, through the alternate route to licensure. Components of the licensure program include a degree from an accredited institution in the liberal arts or sciences, or equivalent; professional teacher's assessments requirement prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; specific endorsement requirements; and professional studies requirements.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-130. Professional studies requirements for early/primary education, elementary education, dual language, and middle education endorsements.
Professional studies requirements for early/primary education, elementary education, and middle education: 21 semester hours. These requirements may be taught in integrated coursework or modules.
1. Human development and learning (birth through adolescence): three semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, speech and language, and intellectual development of children and the ability to use this understanding in guiding learning experiences and relating meaningfully to students.
b. The interaction of children with individual differences, including economic, social, racial, ethnic, religious, physical, and cognitive differences, should be incorporated to include skills contributing to an understanding of developmental disabilities and developmental issues related to, but not limited to, low socioeconomic status; attention deficit disorders; developmental disorders; gifted education, including the use of multiple criteria to identify gifted students; substance abuse; trauma, including child abuse and neglect and other adverse childhood experiences; and family disruptions.
2. Curriculum and instruction: three semester hours.
a. Early/primary education preK-3 or elementary education preK-6 curriculum and instruction: three semester hours.
(1) Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; varied and effective methods of communication with and among students; selection and use of materials, including media and contemporary technologies; and selection, development, and use of appropriate curricula, methodologies, and materials that support and enhance student learning and reflect the research on unique, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy.
(2) Understanding of the principles of online learning and online instructional strategies and the application of skills to deliver online instruction shall be included.
(3) Instructional practices that are sensitive to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, including English learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabilities, and appropriate for the preK-3 or preK-6 endorsement shall be included.
(4) Teaching methods shall be tailored to promote student engagement and student academic progress and effective preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments.
(5) Study in (i) methods of improving communication between schools and families; (ii) communicating with families regarding social and instructional needs of children; (iii) ways of increasing family engagement in student learning at home and in school; (iv) the Virginia Standards of Learning; (v) English Language Development Standards (WIDA); and (vi) Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards: Birth to Five Learning Guidelines prepared by the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood Learning shall be included.
(6) Early childhood educators shall understand the role of families in child development and in relation to teaching educational skills.
(7) Early childhood educators shall understand the role of the informal and play-mediated settings for promoting student skills and development and shall demonstrate knowledge and skill in interacting in such situations to promote specific learning outcomes as reflected in Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards: Birth to Five Learning Guidelines.
(8) Study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Virginia Department of Social Services and training or certification in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be included. The certification or training program shall (i) be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, and (ii) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(9) Pre-student teaching experiences (field experiences) should be evident within these skills.
b. Middle education 6-8 curriculum and instruction: three semester hours.
(1) Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; varied and effective methods of communication with and among students; selection and use of materials, including media and contemporary technologies; and evaluation of pupil performance.
(2) Understanding of the principles of online learning and online instructional strategies and the application of skills to deliver online instruction shall be included.
(3) Instructional practices that are sensitive to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, including English learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabilities, and appropriate for the middle education endorsement shall be included.
(4) Teaching methods shall be tailored to promote student engagement and student academic progress and effective preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments.
(5) Study in methods of improving communication between schools and families, ways of increasing family engagement in student learning at home and in school, and family engagement with the Virginia Standards of Learning shall be included.
(6) Study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Virginia Department of Social Services and training or certification in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be included. The certification or training program shall (i) be based on the current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, and (ii) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(7) Pre-student teaching experiences (field experiences) should be evident within these skills.
c. Dual language curriculum and instruction: three semester hours.
(1) Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; dual language acquisition; theories of second language acquisition; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; varied and effective methods of communication with and among students; selection and use of materials, including media and contemporary technologies; and selection, development, and use of appropriate curricula, methodologies, and materials that support and enhance student learning and reflect the research on unique, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy.
(2) Understanding of the principles of online learning and online instructional strategies and the application of skills to deliver online instruction shall be included.
(3) Instructional practices that are sensitive to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, including English learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabilities, and are appropriate for the preK-3 or preK-6 endorsement shall be included.
(4) Teaching methods shall be tailored to promote student engagement and student academic progress and effective preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments.
(5) Study in (i) methods of improving communication between schools and families; (ii) communicating with families regarding social and instructional needs of children; (iii) ways of increasing family engagement in student learning at home and in school; (iv) the Virginia Standards of Learning; (v) English Language Development Standards (WIDA); and (vi) Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards: Birth to Five Learning Guidelines prepared by the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood Learning shall be included.
(6) Early childhood educators shall understand the role of families in child development and in relation to teaching educational skills.
(7) Early childhood educators shall understand the role of the informal and play-mediated settings for promoting student skills and development and shall demonstrate knowledge and skill in interacting in such situations to promote specific learning outcomes as reflected in Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards: Birth to Five Learning Guidelines.
(8) Demonstrated proficiency in the use of educational technology for instruction shall be required.
(9) Pre-student teaching experiences (field experiences) should be evident within these skills.
3. Classroom and behavior management: three semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding and application of research-based classroom and behavior management techniques, classroom community building, positive behavior supports, and individual interventions, including techniques that promote emotional well-being and teach and maintain behavioral conduct and skills consistent with norms, standards, and rules of the educational environment.
b. This area shall address diverse approaches based upon culturally responsive behavioral, cognitive, affective, social, and ecological theory and practice.
c. Approaches should support professionally appropriate practices that promote positive redirection of behavior, development of social skills, and of self-discipline.
d. Knowledge and an understanding of various school crisis management and safety plans and the demonstrated ability to create a safe, orderly classroom environment shall be included.
e. The link between classroom management and student age shall be understood and demonstrated in techniques used in the classroom.
4. Assessment of and for learning: three semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall be designed to develop an understanding and application of creating, selecting, and implementing valid and reliable classroom-based assessments of student learning, including formative and summative assessments. Assessments designed and adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners shall be addressed.
b. Analytical skills necessary to inform ongoing planning and instruction, as well as to understand and help students understand their own progress and growth shall be included.
c. Skills shall also include the ability to understand the relationships among assessment, instruction, and monitoring student progress to include student performance measures in grading practices, the ability to interpret valid assessments using a variety of formats in order to measure student attainment of essential skills in a standards-based environment, and the ability to analyze assessment data to make decisions about how to improve instruction and student performance.
d. Understanding of state assessment programs and accountability systems, including assessments used for student achievement goal-setting as related to teacher evaluation and determining student academic progress shall be included.
e. Knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of assessment and skills for developing familiarity with assessments used in preK-12 education, such as diagnostic, college admission exams, industry certifications, and placement assessment shall be included.
5. Foundations of education and the teaching profession: three semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall be designed to develop an understanding of the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations underlying the role, development, and organization of public education in the United States.
b. Attention shall be given to the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws and regulations; school as an organization and culture; and contemporary issues and current trends in education, including the impact of technology on education. Local, state, and federal governance of schools, including the roles of teachers and schools in communities, shall be included.
c. Professionalism and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity shall be addressed.
d. Knowledge and understanding of Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers shall be included.
6. Language and literacy: six semester hours.
a. Early/primary preK-3 and elementary education preK-6 - language acquisition and reading and writing: six semester hours. Skills listed for these endorsement areas represent the minimum competencies that a beginning teacher shall be able to demonstrate. These skills are not intended to limit the scope of a beginning teacher's program. Additional knowledge and skills that add to a beginning teacher's competencies to deliver instruction and improve student achievement should be included as part of a quality learning experience.
(1) Language acquisition: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the complex nature of language acquisition as a precursor to literacy. Language acquisition shall follow the typical development of linguistic competence in the areas of phonetics, semantics, syntax, morphology, phonology, and pragmatics.
(2) Reading and writing: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. Reading shall include phonemic and other phonological awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension strategies. Writing shall include writing strategies and conventions as supporting composing and written expression and usage and mechanics domains. Additional skills shall include proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development and the writing process, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading.
b. Middle education - language acquisition and reading development: three semester hours and literacy in the content areas: three semester hours.
(1) Language acquisition and reading development: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the complex nature of language acquisition and reading, to include phonemic and other phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension strategies for adolescent learners. Additional skills shall include proficiency in writing strategies, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading for adolescent learners.
(2) Literacy in the content areas: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart an understanding of vocabulary development and comprehension skills in English, mathematics, science, history and social science, and other content areas. Strategies include teaching students how to ask effective questions, summarize and retell both verbally and in writing, and to listen effectively. Teaching strategies include literal, interpretive, critical, and evaluative comprehension, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading for adolescent readers.
c. Dual language (English) preK-6 - language acquisition and reading and writing: six semester hours. Skills listed for these endorsement areas represent the minimum competencies that a beginning teacher shall be able to demonstrate. These skills are not intended to limit the scope of a beginning teacher's program. Additional knowledge and skills that add to a beginning teacher's competencies to deliver instruction and improve student achievement should be included as part of a quality learning experience.
(1) Language acquisition: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the complex nature of language acquisition as a precursor to literacy. Language acquisition shall follow the typical development of linguistic competence in the areas of phonetics, semantics, syntax, morphology, phonology, and pragmatics.
(2) Literacy development (reading and writing): three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of strategies for integration of content, literacy, and language development, researched-based strategies for differentiating instruction for language development and language and cognitive support or scaffolding bases on the various strategies of the language and literacy acquisition process. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. Reading shall include phonemic and other phonological awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension strategies. Writing shall include writing strategies and conventions as supporting composing and written expression and usage and mechanics domains. Additional skills shall include proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development and the writing process, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading.
d. Dual language (target language) preK-6 - language acquisition and bilingual literacy development: six semester hours. Skills listed for these endorsement areas represent the minimum competencies that a beginning teacher shall be able to demonstrate. These skills are not intended to limit the scope of a beginning teacher's program. Additional knowledge and skills that add to a beginning teacher's competencies to deliver instruction and improve student achievement should be included as part of a quality learning experience.
(1) Language acquisition: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the complex nature of language acquisition as a precursor to literacy. Language acquisition shall follow the typical development of linguistic competence in the areas of phonetics, semantics, syntax, morphology, phonology, and pragmatics.
(2) Bilingual literacy development: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of strategies for integration of content, literacy, and language development, researched-based strategies for differentiating instruction for dual language and language and cognitive support or scaffolding based on the various strategies of the second language acquisition process. Reading shall include phonemic and other phonological awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension strategies. Writing shall include writing strategies and conventions as supporting composing and written expression and usage and mechanics domains. Additional skills shall include proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development and the writing process, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading.
7. Supervised clinical experiences. Supervised clinical experiences shall be continuous and systematic and comprised of early field experiences and a minimum of 10 weeks of successful full-time student teaching in the endorsement area sought under the supervision of a cooperating teacher with demonstrated effectiveness in the classroom. The summative supervised student teaching experience shall include at least 150 clock hours spent in direct teaching at the level of endorsement in a public or accredited nonpublic school. One year of successful full-time teaching experience in the endorsement area in a public or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience. For the Online Teacher License only, one year of successful online teaching experience in the endorsement area in a public school, an accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school or program may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience. A fully licensed, experienced teacher shall be available in the school building to assist a beginning teacher employed through the alternate route.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 9, 2024.
8VAC20-23-140. Early childhood for three-year-olds and four-year-olds (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in elementary education, such as preK-3 or preK-6, or special education early childhood;
2. Completed 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in early childhood education; and
3. Completed a supervised practicum of at least 45 instructional hours in a preschool setting (three-year-olds and four-year-olds) in a public school, an accredited nonpublic school, or another program approved by the Virginia Board of Education. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the practicum.
4. The add-on endorsement to an elementary endorsement that includes preK is not required to teach preK (three-year-olds and four-year-olds), but the endorsement recognizes the candidate's additional preparation in early childhood education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-150. Early/primary education preK-3.
Endorsement requirements.
1. The candidate must have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in early/primary education preK-3; or
2. The candidate for the early/primary education preK-3 endorsement must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the liberal arts or sciences, or equivalent, and completed coursework that covers the early/primary education preK-3 competencies and meets the following semester-hour requirements:
a. English (shall include composition, oral communication, and literature): 12 semester hours; or complete six semester hours in English and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
b. Mathematics (shall include Algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and methods in teaching elementary mathematics): 12 semester hours; or complete six semester hours in mathematics, complete a methods in teaching elementary mathematics course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
c. Laboratory sciences: 12 semester hours (in at least two science disciplines and methods in teaching elementary science); or complete six semester hours in laboratory science (in two science disciplines), complete a methods in teaching elementary science course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
d. History (shall include American history and world history): six semester hours, and Social Science (shall include geography and economics): six semester hours; or complete three semester hours in history, complete three semester hours in social science (geography or economics), complete a methods in teaching elementary history and social sciences course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; and
e. Arts: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-160. Elementary education preK-6.
Endorsement requirements.
1. The candidate shall have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in elementary education preK-6; or
2. The candidate for the elementary education preK-6 endorsement shall have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution majoring in the liberal arts or sciences (or equivalent) and meet the following semester-hour requirements:
a. English (shall include composition, oral communication, and literature): 12 semester hours; or complete six semester hours in English and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
b. Mathematics (shall include Algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and teaching elementary mathematics): 15 semester hours; or complete six hours in mathematics, complete a methods in teaching elementary mathematics course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
c. Laboratory sciences: 15 semester hours in at least three science disciplines and at least a three credit science methods course; or complete nine semester hours (in two science disciplines), complete a methods in teaching elementary science course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education;
d. History (shall include American history and world history): six semester hours, and Social Science (shall include geography and economics): six semester hours; or complete three semester hours in history, complete three semester hours in social science (geography or economics), complete a methods in teaching elementary history and social sciences course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; and
e. Arts: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-170. Middle education 6-8.
Endorsement requirements.
1. The candidate shall have graduated from an approved teacher preparation discipline-specific program in middle education 6-8 with at least one area of academic preparation from the areas of English, mathematics, science, and history and social sciences; or
2. An applicant seeking the middle education 6-8 endorsement shall have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the liberal arts or sciences, or equivalent; and completed the minimum number of semester hours, as indicated, in at least one area of academic preparation (concentration) that will be listed on the license. The applicant will be restricted to teaching only in the area or areas of concentration listed on the teaching license.
a. English. English concentration (shall include coursework in language, such as history, structure, grammar, fiction and nonfiction texts, media literacy, advanced composition, and interpersonal communication or speech): 21 semester hours.
b. Mathematics. Mathematics concentration (shall include coursework in Algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, applications of mathematics, and methods of teaching mathematics to include middle school mathematics content): 24 semester hours.
c. Laboratory sciences. Laboratory sciences concentration (shall include courses in each of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science; and a laboratory course is required in each of the four areas): 24 semester hours.
d. History and social sciences. History and social sciences concentration (shall include a course in American history; world history; economics; American government, including state and local government; and geography): 21 semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
Part V
Licensure Regulations Governing Prek-12, Special Education, Secondary Grades 6-12, and Adult Education Endorsements
8VAC20-23-180. PreK-12, special education, secondary grades 6-12, and adult education endorsements.
Individuals seeking licensure with preK-12, special education, secondary grades 6-12, or adult education endorsements may meet requirements through the completion of an approved program, or if employed by a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school, through the alternate route to licensure. Components of the licensure program include a degree from an accredited institution in the liberal arts or sciences, or equivalent; professional teacher's assessment requirements prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; specific endorsement requirements; and professional studies requirements.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-190. Professional studies requirements for PreK-12, special education, secondary grades 6-12, and adult education endorsements.
Professional studies requirements for preK-12, secondary grades 6-12, and adult education endorsements: 18 semester hours. Professional studies requirements for special education endorsements: 21 semester hours. These requirements may be taught in integrated coursework or modules.
1. Human development and learning (birth through adolescence): 3 semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, speech and language, and intellectual development of children and the ability to use this understanding in guiding learning experiences and relating meaningfully to students.
b. The interaction of children with individual differences - economic, social, racial, ethnic, religious, physical, and cognitive - should be incorporated to include skills contributing to an understanding of developmental disabilities and developmental issues related to, but not limited to, low socioeconomic status; attention deficit disorders; developmental disabilities; gifted education, including the use of multiple criteria to identify gifted students; substance abuse; trauma, including child abuse and neglect and other adverse childhood experiences; and family disruptions.
2. Curriculum and instruction: 3 semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; varied and effective methods of communication with and among students; selection and use of materials, including media and contemporary technologies; selection, development, and use of appropriate curricula, methodologies, and materials that support and enhance student learning and reflect the research on unique, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy.
b. Understanding of the principles of online learning and online instructional strategies and the application of skills to deliver online instruction shall be included.
c. Instructional practices that are sensitive to culturally and linguistically diverse learners, including English learners; gifted and talented students and students with disabilities; and appropriate for the level of endorsement sought shall be included.
d. Teaching methods shall be tailored to promote student academic progress and effective preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments.
e. Methods of improving communication between schools and families, ways of increasing family engagement in student learning at home and in school, and family engagement with the Virginia Standards of Learning shall be included.
f. Study in child abuse recognition and intervention in accordance with curriculum guidelines developed by the Virginia Board of Education in consultation with the Virginia Department of Social Services and training or certification in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators shall be included. The certification or training program shall (i) be based on the current national evidenced-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillator, such as a program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, and (ii) include hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
g. Curriculum and instruction for secondary grades 6-12 endorsements shall include middle and secondary education.
h. Pre-student teaching experiences (field experiences) should be evident within these skills. For preK-12, field experiences shall be at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.
3. Assessment of and for learning: 3 semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall be designed to develop an understanding and application of creating, selecting, and implementing valid and reliable classroom-based assessments of student learning, including formative and summative assessments. Assessments designed and adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners shall be addressed.
b. Analytical skills necessary to inform ongoing planning and instruction, as well as to understand, and help students understand their own progress and growth shall be included.
c. Skills shall also include the ability to understand the relationships among assessment, instruction, and monitoring student progress to include student performance measures in grading practices, the ability to interpret valid assessments using a variety of formats in order to measure student attainment of essential skills in a standards-based environment, and the ability to analyze assessment data to make decisions about how to improve instruction and student performance.
d. Understanding of state assessment programs and accountability systems, including assessments used for student achievement goal-setting as related to teacher evaluation and determining student academic progress shall be included.
e. Knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of assessment and skills for developing familiarity with assessments used in preK-12 education such as diagnostic, college admission exams, industry certifications, and placement assessments shall be included.
4. Foundations of education and the teaching profession: 3 semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall be designed to develop an understanding of the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations underlying the role, development, and organization of public education in the United States.
b. Attention shall be given to the legal status of teachers and students, including federal and state laws and regulations; school as an organization and culture; and contemporary issues and current trends in education, including the impact of technology on education. Local, state, and federal governance of schools, including the roles of teachers and schools in communities shall be included.
c. Professionalism and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity shall be addressed.
d. Knowledge and understanding of Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers shall be included.
5. Classroom and behavior management: 3 semester hours.
a. Skills in this area shall contribute to an understanding and application of research-based classroom and behavior management techniques, classroom community building, positive behavior supports, and individual interventions, including techniques that promote emotional well-being and teach and maintain behavioral conduct and skills consistent with norms, standards, and rules of the educational environment.
b. This area shall address diverse approaches based upon culturally responsive behavioral, cognitive, affective, social and ecological theory and practice.
c. Approaches should support professionally appropriate practices that promote positive redirection of behavior, development of social skills and of self-discipline.
d. Knowledge and an understanding of various school crisis management and safety plans and the demonstrated ability to create a safe, orderly classroom environment shall be included. The link between classroom management and the students' ages shall be understood and demonstrated in techniques used in the classroom.
6. Language and literacy.
a. Adult education, preK-12, and secondary grades 6-12 - literacy in the content areas: 3 semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart an understanding of vocabulary development and comprehension skills in English, mathematics, science, history and social science, and other content areas. Strategies include teaching students how to ask effective questions, summarize and retell both verbally and in writing, and listen effectively. Teaching strategies include literal, interpretive, critical, and evaluative comprehension, as well as the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading for adolescent learners.
b. Special education - language acquisition and reading and writing: 6 semester hours. Skills listed for these endorsement areas represent the minimum competencies that a beginning teacher shall be able to demonstrate. These skills are not intended to limit the scope of a beginning teacher's program. Additional knowledge and skills that add to a beginning teacher's competencies to deliver instruction and improve student achievement should be included as part of a quality learning experience.
(1) Language acquisition: 3 semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the complex nature of language acquisition as a precursor to literacy. Language acquisition shall follow the typical development of linguistic competence in the areas of phonetics, semantics, syntax, morphology, phonology, and pragmatics.
(2) Reading and writing: 3 semester hours. Skills in this area shall be designed to impart a thorough understanding of the Virginia English Standards of Learning, as well as the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. Reading shall include phonemic and other phonological awareness, concept of print, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension strategies. Writing shall include writing strategies and conventions as supporting the composing and written expression and usage and mechanics domains. Additional skills shall include proficiency in understanding the stages of spelling development and the writing process and the ability to foster appreciation of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and independent reading.
7. Supervised classroom experience. Supervised clinical experiences shall be continuous and systematic and comprised of early field experiences and a minimum of 10 weeks of successful full-time student teaching in the endorsement area sought under the supervision of a cooperating teacher with demonstrated effectiveness in the classroom. The summative supervised student teaching experience shall include at least 150 clock hours spent in direct teaching at the level of endorsement in a public or accredited nonpublic school.
If a preK-12 endorsement is sought, teaching activities shall be at the elementary and middle or secondary levels. Individuals seeking the endorsement in library media shall complete the supervised school library media practicum in a school library media setting. Individuals seeking an endorsement in an area of special education shall complete the supervised classroom experience requirement in the area of special education for which the endorsement is sought. One year of successful full-time teaching experience in the endorsement area in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience. For the Online Teacher License only, one year of successful online teaching experience in the endorsement area in a public school, an accredited nonpublic school, or an accredited virtual school or program may be accepted in lieu of the supervised teaching experience. A fully licensed, experienced teacher shall be available in the school building to assist a beginning teacher employed through the alternate route.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-298 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021.
8VAC20-23-200. Adult education.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or hold a Collegiate Professional License (requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution); and
2. A minimum of 15 semester hours in adult education that shall include the following competencies and one semester of supervised successful full-time, or an equivalent number of hours of part-time experience, teaching of adults:
a. Understanding of the nature or psychology of the adult learner or adult development;
b. Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes needed for the selection, evaluation, and instructional applications of the methods and materials for adults to become college and career ready, including:
(1) Curriculum development in adult basic education or Virginia Board of Education-approved high school equivalency instruction;
(2) Literacy skills for adults;
(3) Numeracy skills for adults;
(4) Reading comprehension for adult education; and
(5) Other adult basic skills instruction.
B. Individuals not holding a Collegiate Professional License or a Postgraduate Professional License shall meet the professional teacher's assessment requirements prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-210. Adult English as a second language (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in adult English as a second language; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in a teaching area; and
3. Completed 21 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Methods for teaching adult English learners: three semester hours;
b. English linguistics: three semester hours;
c. Cross-cultural education: three semester hours;
d. Modern foreign language: six semester hours; and
e. Electives from the following areas: six semester hours:
(1) Cross-cultural communication;
(2) Second language acquisition;
(3) General linguistics;
(4) Teaching reading to adults;
(5) Adult English learner instruction; or
(6) Adult English learner curriculum development.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-220. Career and technical education – agricultural education.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in agricultural education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 39 semester hours of coursework in agriculture, including at least three semester hours in each of the areas in subdivisions 2 a through 2 f of this subsection, as well as a minimum of nine semester hours in one concentration area listed in subdivisions 2 a through 2 f:
a. Plant science;
b. Animal science;
c. Agricultural mechanics and applied technology with a lab component;
d. Agricultural economics and management;
e. Forestry and wildlife management;
f. Horticulture; and
g. Supervised occupational experience, three semester hours, or one year of successful, full-time or the equivalent (a minimum of 2,000 cumulative hours) relevant occupational experience within the past five years.
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 specialized areas may be granted to individuals who have:
1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;
2. Completed two years of successful, full-time or the equivalent of occupational experience within the past five years in the teaching specialty sought;
3. 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); and
4. Completed an agricultural education certificate or associate degree program in the teaching specialty area 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-230. Career and technical education – business and information technology.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in business and information technology; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in business education or 39 semester hours of coursework in business and information technology, including:
a. Accounting: six semester hours;
b. Economics: three semester hours;
c. Business law, business principles, management, marketing, or finance: nine semester hours;
d. Communications and media to include oral, written, and presentation skills: three semester hours;
e. Information systems and technology to include computer software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation, information technology fundamentals, database management, communications systems, programming, software development, security, and networking: 12 semester hours;
f. Input technologies to include touch keyboarding (required, or documented demonstrated mastery of the touch keyboarding skill), audio input devices, video input devices, pointing devices, touch screens, or other emerging input technologies: three semester hours; and
g. Supervised business experience: three semester hours, or one year of successful full-time or the equivalent (a minimum of 2,000 cumulative hours) relevant occupational experience within the last five years.
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 highly specialized business and information technology area, such as networking, programming, database management, Internet application development, medical office procedures, legal office procedures, network administration, and other emerging highly specialized areas may be granted to individuals who have:
1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;
2. Completed two years of successful, full-time or the equivalent occupational experience within the last five years in the teaching specialty area sought;
3. Completed a business certificate or associate degree program from an accredited institution in the teaching specialty area sought; and
4. 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-240. Career and technical education – family and consumer sciences.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in family and consumer sciences; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in family and consumer sciences education or 39 semester hours of coursework in family and consumer sciences distributed in the following areas:
a. Development of individuals through the lifespan and the family life cycle: nine semester hours;
b. Resource management, personal and family finance, and consumer economics: six semester hours;
c. Food, nutrition, dietetics, wellness, and food science: nine semester hours;
d. Housing, home furnishing, and equipment: three semester hours;
e. Apparel and textiles: six semester hours;
f. Occupational program management: three semester hours; and
g. Supervised occupational experience related to family and consumer sciences, three semester hours, or one year of successful, full-time or the equivalent (a minimum of 2,000 cumulative hours) relevant occupational experience within the last five years.
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 family and consumer sciences area, such as child care occupations, consumer services, family and human services, fashion design occupations, food occupations, hospitality occupations, interior design occupations, home furnishings occupations, and home and institutional services, may be granted to individuals who have:
1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;
2. Completed at least two years of successful, full-time occupational experience or the equivalent within the past five years in the teaching specialty for which they are seeking endorsement;
3. Completed a family and consumer sciences certificate or associate degree program from an accredited institution, where applicable in the area of endorsement sought; and
4. 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-250. Career and technical education – health and medical sciences.
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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-260. Career and technical education – marketing education.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in marketing education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in marketing education or a minimum of 39 semester hours of coursework in marketing to include:
a. Marketing processes and environment: three semester hours;
b. Management and supervision: six semester hours;
c. Economics: three semester hours;
d. Merchandising and operations: three semester hours;
e. Advertising and promotion: three semester hours;
f. Sales and selling: three semester hours;
g. Communication theory and techniques: three semester hours;
h. Consumer behavior: three semester hours;
i. International (global) marketing: three semester hours;
j. Finance, accounting, or marketing mathematics: three semester hours;
k. Technology applications: three semester hours; and
l. Supervised marketing occupational experience, three semester hours, or one year of successful full-time work experience in the field of marketing may be accepted in lieu of the supervised marketing internship.
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 marketing area, such as apparel and accessories, hotel operations, international marketing, or restaurant, may be granted to individuals who have:
1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;
2. Completed two years of successful full-time occupational experience, or the equivalent, within the last five years in the teaching specialty area sought; and
3. 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.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-270. Career and technical education – technology education.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in technology education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in technology education or 33 semester hours in technology education distributed in the following areas:
a. The nature of technology. Experiences shall include those that promote an understanding of the characteristics, scope, and core concepts of physical, biological, and informational technologies, the relationships among these technologies, and their connections to other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields: six semester hours;
b. Technology and society. Experiences shall include those that develop a working knowledge of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology, its effect on the environment, and the role of society in the history, development, and use of physical, biological, and informational technologies: three semester hours;
c. Engineering. Experiences shall include those that develop comprehension of the attributes of technological design, inclusive of constraints, optimization, predictive analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, technical writing, and integrative mathematics and science: six semester hours;
d. Abilities for a technological world. Experiences shall include those that develop the capacity to utilize the design process, to use and maintain technological products and systems, and to assess their impact: nine semester hours; and
e. The designed world. Experiences shall include those that promote an understanding of current and emerging physical, biological, and informational technologies: nine semester hours; or
3. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a major in one of the following fields of study: architecture, design, engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, or physics and completed a minimum of 15 semester hours of technology education content coursework, including at least three semester hours in each of the following areas:
a. The nature of technology;
b. Technology and society;
c. Engineering;
d. Abilities for a technological world; and
e. The designed world.
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 division superintendent may issue the teacher a provisional license to allow time for the teacher to attain such credential.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 3, eff. October 25, 2024.
8VAC20-23-280. Career and technical education – trade and industrial education.
A. Endorsement requirements.
1. The candidate shall have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in trade and industrial education; or
2. A candidate who has graduated from an approved teacher preparation program that is not in the trade and industrial education program subject area for which the candidate is seeking endorsement shall have:
a. A current state license or industry certification based on the prescribed standard or examination, if applicable; and
b. Evidence of at least two years of successful full-time or equivalent occupational experience within the past five years in the teaching specialty for which the candidate is seeking endorsement. A candidate whose occupational experience has not been within the last five years shall participate in a supervised technical update related to the teaching specialty or area of endorsement or complete a supervised internship of work experience of not less than six weeks related to the area of endorsement or teaching specialty.
B. Technical Professional License. An endorsement in a specialized trade and industrial education area will be granted to an individual who has:
1. Been recommended by an employing Virginia educational agency;
2. A current license or is currently certified as a professional practitioner in the area in which the individual is to be teaching, if applicable, or can demonstrate competency in the area of trade and industrial education the individual is to be teaching;
3. Evidence of at least two years of successful full-time or the equivalent occupational experience within the past five years in the teaching specialty for which the individual is seeking endorsement. Candidates whose occupational experience has not been within the last five years shall participate in a supervised technical update related to the teaching specialty or area of endorsement or complete a supervised internship of work experience of not less than six weeks related to the area of endorsement or teaching specialty; and
4. 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).
C. Add-on endorsement requirements. A candidate shall:
1. Hold an active Collegiate Professional or Postgraduate Professional License with a teaching endorsement;
2. Demonstrate competency in the trade or industrial area being sought;
3. Hold current state licensure or industry certification for the trade or industrial area for which endorsement is sought based upon the prescribed standard or examination;
4. Have completed two years or 4,000 clock hours of satisfactory, full-time occupational experience at the journeyman level or an equivalent level in the occupation within the last five years. Candidates whose occupational experience has not been within the last five years shall participate in a supervised technical update related to the teaching specialty or area of endorsement or complete a supervised internship of work experience of not less than six weeks related to the area of endorsement or teaching specialty; and
5. Have completed three semester hours in curriculum and instruction specific to vocational industrial education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-290. Career and technical education – transition and special needs (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in transition and special needs education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in career and technical education or special education preK-12 with an endorsement in one area of career and technical education or special education preK-12, including 12 semester hours distributed in the following areas:
a. Overview of special needs programs and services: three semester hours;
b. Instructional methods, curriculum, and resources: three semester hours;
c. Career and life planning, transitioning, occupational information, and delivery of cooperative education programs: three semester hours; and
d. Purposes and practices and characteristics of special populations: three semester hours; and
3. Completed successful, supervised occupational experience, three semester hours, or one year of full-time or the equivalent of relevant occupational experience within the past five years.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-300. Computer science.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in computer science; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 36 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Mathematics, including discrete mathematics;
b. Data structures and algorithm analysis;
c. Foundations of computer science; and
d. Programming in at least two distinct languages: six semester hours.
B. Add-on endorsement requirements in computer science. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed 18 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Mathematics, including discrete mathematics;
b. Data structures and algorithm analysis;
c. Foundations of computer science; and
d. Programming in at least two distinct languages: six semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-310. Dance arts preK-12.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in dance arts; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in dance arts or 24 semester hours with coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Development of movement language: nine semester hours.
(1) A course in each area of ballet, folk, jazz, and modern dance: six semester hours; and
(2) Area of concentration in one area of ballet, folk, jazz, or modern dance beyond the entry level: three semester hours;
b. Composition, improvisation, and dance arts production, which may include stage lighting, stage costuming, or stage makeup: three semester hours;
c. Scientific foundations, including human anatomy, kinesiology, and injury prevention and care for dance arts: nine semester hours; and
d. Cultural understanding, including cultural context and dance history: three semester hours.
B. Add-on endorsement requirements in dance arts. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed 15 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Development of movement language: nine semester hours.
(1) A course in each area of ballet, folk, jazz, and modern dance: six semester hours; and
(2) Area of concentration in one area of ballet, folk, jazz, or modern dance beyond the entry level: three semester hours;
b. Composition, improvisation, and dance arts production, which may include stage lighting, stage costuming, or stage makeup: three semester hours; and
c. Cultural understanding, including cultural context and dance history: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-320. Driver education (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in driver education; or
3. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and completed six semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Driver Task Analysis, including instructional strategies as prescribed in the Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education in Virginia (http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/driver_education/curriculum_admin_guide/index.shtml); understanding the highway transportation system; applying Virginia's motor vehicle laws; personal, legal, and emotional factors; visual and sensory perception; risk perception and risk management; space management and other defensive driving techniques; environmental, financial, and other vehicle ownership responsibilities; vehicle technologies; and the scientific principles of the driving tasks: three semester hours; and
b. Principles and methodologies of classroom and in-car instruction, including applying classroom and in-car teaching techniques for delivering concurrent instruction; applying perception, vehicle balance, speed control, and other risk management principles to the development of precision driving skills; and understanding program administrative tasks, including juvenile licensing laws and issuance of a driver's license; a minimum of 14 hours of actual behind-the-wheel supervised teaching experience demonstrating vehicle control skills and performance capabilities that includes two hours of basic evasive maneuvers; and a minimum of 14 hours of mentorship with a licensed, endorsed driver education teacher: three semester hours.
4. A current, valid Virginia driver's license. School divisions are to ensure that teachers of driver education hold a valid driver's license.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-321. Dual language (English) endorsement preK-6.
A. The dual language (English) endorsement is to teach dual language (English). Individuals who hold a valid Virginia teaching license with an elementary education endorsement may teach in dual language (English) in the corresponding grade levels noted on the license (such as Early/Primary Education PreK-3/Elementary Education PreK-6).
B. The candidate is subject to the elementary education content assessment and the reading for educators assessment prescribed by the State Board of Education for initial licensure. The State Board of Education prescribed reading and writing assessment is not required for an initial license with an endorsement in dual language (English).
C. Endorsement requirements for dual language (English) preK-6. The candidate shall have:
1. Graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in dual language elementary preK-6; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completed the following semester-hour requirements:
a. English (shall include composition, oral communication, and literature): 12 semester hours or complete six semester hours in English and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the State Board of Education;
b. Mathematics (shall include algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and teaching elementary mathematics): 15 semester hours or complete six hours in mathematics, complete a methods course in teaching elementary mathematics course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the State Board of Education;
c. Laboratory sciences: 15 semester hours in at least three science disciplines and at least a three credit science methods course or complete nine semester hours (in two science disciplines), complete a methods in teaching elementary science course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the State Board of Education; and
d. History (shall include American history and world history): six semester hours and social science (shall include geography and economics): six semester hours or complete three semester hours in history, complete three semester hours in social science (geography or economics), complete a methods course in teaching elementary history and social sciences course (three semester hours), and pass a rigorous elementary subject test prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 9, 2024.
8VAC20-23-322. Dual language (English) preK-6 Add-on endorsement.
A. The dual language (English) preK-6 endorsement is to teach dual language (English). Individuals who hold a valid Virginia teaching license with an elementary education endorsement in the corresponding grade levels noted on the license (such as Early/Primary Education PreK-3 or Elementary Education PreK-6) may teach in dual language (English) without the add-on endorsement. However, the dual language (English) preK-6 add-on endorsement recognizes the candidate's additional preparation in dual language (English).
B. Endorsement requirements.
1. The candidate shall have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and hold a license issued by the State Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in elementary education.
2. The candidate shall have completed an approved teacher preparation program in dual language (English) preK-6 add-on endorsement or completed the following:
a. Three semester hours in curriculum for dual language design and assessment; and
b. A 45-clock-hour practicum in dual language (English) from a regionally accredited college or university. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the practicum. The experience may be completed under a Provisional License.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 9, 2024.
8VAC20-23-323. Dual language (target language) endorsement preK-6.
A. The dual language (target language) preK-6 endorsement is to teach dual language in a world language other than English. The target language will be noted on the endorsement.
B. The State Board of Education prescribed reading and writing assessment is not required for an initial license with an endorsement in dual language (target language) endorsement preK-6.
C. Endorsement requirements for dual language (target language) endorsement preK-6. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in dual language (target language) endorsement; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and completed the following requirements:
a. A major in the target language: 12 semester hours in the target language above the intermediate level that must include composition, literature, and conversation or a qualifying score on a foreign language assessment in the target language as prescribed by the State Board of Education;
b. Mathematics: nine semester hours in mathematics that must include methods of teaching elementary mathematics;
c. Laboratory sciences (in two science disciplines): nine semester hours that must include methods of teaching elementary science;
d. History and social sciences: three semester hours in United States history; three semester hours in geography, economics, or United States or comparative government; three semester hours in methods of teaching elementary history and social sciences; and
e. Culture and civilization: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 9, 2024.
8VAC20-23-324. Dual language (target language) preK-6 add-on endorsement.
A. The dual language (target language) preK-6 add-on endorsement is to teach dual language in a world language other than English. The target language will be noted on the endorsement.
B. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and hold a license issued by the State Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a target language.
2. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in dual language (target language) preK-6 add-on endorsement or completed the following:
a. Three semester hours in curriculum for dual language design and assessment;
b. Passed the rigorous elementary education assessment prescribed by the State Board of Education or completed the following coursework:
(1) Mathematics: nine semester hours in mathematics that must include methods of teaching elementary mathematics;
(2) Laboratory sciences (in two science disciplines): nine semester hours that must include methods of teaching elementary science; and
(3) History and social sciences: three semester hours in United States history; three semester hours in geography, economics, or United States or comparative government; three semester hours in methods of teaching elementary history and social sciences; and
c. A 45-clock-hour practicum in dual language (target language) from a regionally accredited college or university. One year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in dual language (target language) may be accepted in lieu of the practicum. The experience may be completed under a Provisional License.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 9, 2024.
8VAC20-23-330. Engineering.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in engineering;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in engineering or an engineering subspecialty in an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited college or university program;
3. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed an engineering technology, science, or technology education major with at least 12 semester hours of coursework in engineering courses, including:
a. Introduction to engineering design;
b. Statics or dynamics;
c. Circuits or fluid mechanics; and
d. Thermodynamics;
4. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a science, mathematics, or technology education major with at least five years of successful full-time experience working in an engineering environment; or
5. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a professional engineer's (P.E.) license.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-340. English.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in English; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in English or a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Literacy and reading: 12 semester hours. Courses shall include:
(1) Survey of British literature;
(2) Survey of American literature;
(3) World literature; and
(4) Literary theory and criticism.
b. Language: three semester hours. Includes the development and nature of the English language.
c. Composition: 12 semester hours. Experiences shall include:
(1) A grammar course integrating grammar and writing;
(2) The teaching of writing, based on current knowledge and most effective practices, including the use of technology for this purpose;
(3) An advanced composition course emphasizing rhetorical practices of expository, persuasive, argumentative, and analytical writing; and
(4) Teaching research including ethical accessing, evaluating, organizing, crediting, and synthesizing information.
d. Oral language: three semester hours. Experiences shall include the teaching of public and presentation speaking, including nonverbal communication and the role of communication in small group and mass communication.
e. Electives from the areas listed in this subdivision 2: six semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-350. English as a second language preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in English as a second language; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 24 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Teaching of reading and writing. Courses shall include skills in phonemic and other phonological awareness; pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading strategies; vocabulary development; and guided reading. Ability to structure interactive tasks that engage students in using oral language to develop language and skills. Ability to determine students' reading levels and design instruction for multi-level classrooms by incorporating appropriate scaffolding or language supports; one course shall address teaching reading to English language learners: six semester hours;
b. English linguistics: general and English linguistics three semester hours;
c. Cross-cultural education: three semester hours;
d. Second language acquisition: three semester hours;
e. Methods of English as a second language, to include instruction based on the understanding of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) English Language Development (ELD) Standards: three semester hours;
f. English as a second language assessment to include assessing comprehension and communication in English: three semester hours; and
g. Electives from the areas listed in this subdivision 2: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-360. Foreign language preK-12.
A. The specific language of the endorsement will be noted on the license.
B. Endorsement requirements for foreign language preK-12 - languages other than Latin and American Sign Language. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in a foreign language; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in the foreign language or 30 semester hours of coursework above the intermediate level in the foreign language distributed in the following areas:
a. Advanced grammar and composition;
b. Conversation, culture and civilization, and literature; and
c. In addition to the 30 semester hours, completed a minimum of three semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels.
3. Endorsement in a second foreign language may be obtained by successfully completing 24 semester hours of coursework above the intermediate level.
4. Candidates who have learned a foreign language without formal academic credit in an accredited institution shall complete the following requirements:
a. Achieve a qualifying score on a foreign language assessment in the appropriate language as prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education; and
b. Earn a minimum of three semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels from an accredited institution in the United States or obtain teacher certification in another country with at least three semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels at a foreign institution.
C. Endorsement requirements for foreign language preK-12 - Latin. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in Latin; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 24 semester hours of Latin above the intermediate level. A maximum of six semester hours of Roman history, Roman life, Roman mythology, or Roman archaeology may be included in the total hours. A minimum of three semester hours of methods of teaching Latin at the elementary and secondary levels are required.
D. Endorsement requirements for foreign language preK-12 - American Sign Language.
1. The candidate shall have (i) graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in a foreign language - American Sign Language or (ii) earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in American Sign Language or 24 semester hours above the intermediate level in American Sign Language. The program shall include (i) courses in advanced grammar and syntax, conversation, and culture and (ii) a minimum of three semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels.
2. Native users or candidates who have learned American Sign Language without formal academic credit in an accredited institution, as explained in subdivision 1 of this subsection, shall complete the following requirements:
a. Competency in American Sign Language demonstrated by written documentation of one of the following:
(1) Hold a current, valid certification issued by the American Sign Language Teachers' Association;
(2) Hold a current, valid certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf; or
(3) Complete requirements by achieving a qualifying score on an assessment demonstrating proficiency in American Sign Language prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
b. A minimum of three semester hours of methods of teaching foreign languages at the elementary and secondary levels from an accredited institution in the United States; and
c. A minimum of six semester hours in coursework, including grammar and syntax of American Sign Language.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 12, eff. March 14, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-370. Gifted education (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed an approved teacher preparation program in gifted education; or
3. Completed the following requirements:
a. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
b. Completed 12 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in gifted education distributed in the following areas:
(1) Introduction and identification of giftedness: three semester hours;
(2) Social and emotional development and guidance of gifted learners: three semester hours;
(3) Curriculum and instructional strategies for gifted learners: three semester hours; and
(4) Advanced course work in one of the following areas: three semester hours:
(a) Advanced curriculum, instruction, and assessment design;
(b) Advanced program development and evaluation; or
(c) Advanced study in underrepresented populations; and
c. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with gifted students in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. In lieu of the practicum, one year of successful, full-time teaching experience with gifted students in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted, provided the teacher is assigned a mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in gifted education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-380. Health and physical education preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in health and physical education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in health and physical education or 45 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
a. Personal health, safety, and care of athletic injuries: three semester hours;
b. Human anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, and biomechanics of human movement: nine semester hours;
c. General health and physical education theory, including curriculum design and development in health and physical education: three semester hours;
d. Instructional methods and skills for secondary physical education: three semester hours;
e. Concepts of motor learning, instructional methods, and skills for elementary physical education: three semester hours;
f. Instruction methods for elementary and secondary school health: three semester hours;
g. Health and physical education electives: nine semester hours;
h. Instructional methods and strategies for adapted physical education: three semester hours;
i. Technology in health and physical education: three semester hours;
j. Principles of human nutrition: three semester hours; and
k. Assessment and evaluation in the content area: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-390. History and social sciences.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in history and social sciences; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 51 semester hours of coursework distributed in each of the following areas:
a. History: a major in history or 18 semester hours in history (shall include coursework in American history, Virginia history, and world history and may include African American history);
b. Political science: a major in political science or 18 semester hours in political science, which shall include coursework in American government (state and local government);
c. Geography: nine semester hours; and
d. Economics: six semester hours.
All candidates shall have also completed instruction in African American history, either as part of the degree program or through other department-approved alternatives, which shall include (i) an understanding of African origins; (ii) the African diaspora; (iii) developments of the Black experience in North America; (iv) the institution of slavery in the United States, including historical perspectives of the enslaved; and (v) how African Americans helped shape and have been shaped by American society.
B. Add-on endorsement requirements in history, political science, geography, and economics. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a teaching license with an endorsement in history, political science, geography, or economics;
2. Completed 21 semester hours of coursework in the additional social science area - history, political science, geography, or economics for which the add-on endorsement is sought; and
3. Completed instruction in African American history, either as part of the degree program or through other department-approved alternatives, which shall include (i) an understanding of African origins; (ii) the African diaspora; (iii) developments of the Black experience in North America; (iv) the institution of slavery in the United States, including historical perspectives of the enslaved; and (v) how African Americans helped shape and have been shaped by American society.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-400. Journalism (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed a minimum of 15 semester hours in journalism.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-410. Keyboarding (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed six semester hours in keyboarding. Three of the six semester hours may be from either formal keyboarding instruction or documented demonstrated mastery of the touch keyboarding skill, and three semester hours shall include document formatting skills, word processing, and computer applications.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-420. Library media preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved preparation program in school library media; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 24 semester hours distributed in the following areas:
a. Teaching for learning, including knowledge of learners and learning; effective and knowledgeable teaching; collaborative instructional partners; integration of learning standards and technologies; assessment of and for student learning; and the design and implementation of instruction that engages students interests and develops their ability to inquire, think critically, and gain and share knowledge: three semester hours;
b. Literacy and reading, including familiarity with children's, young adult, and professional literature in multiple formats; use of a variety of strategies to promote reading for enjoyment and information; collection development to support diverse learning needs; and collaboration to reinforce reading instructional strategies: six semester hours;
c. Information and knowledge, including efficient and ethical information-seeking behavior, ethical and equitable access to information, design and delivery of authentic learning through current and emerging technology, and the use of evidence-based action research to create and share knowledge: six semester hours;
d. Advocacy and leadership, including networking with the library community, commitment to professional development, leadership in articulating the role of the school library program in the educational community and in student learning, and advocacy for school library programs, resources, and services: three semester hours; and
e. Program management and administration, including planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating library programs, collections, and facilities; personnel; funding; organization of materials; professional ethics; and strategic planning and program assessment: six semester hours.
3. Supervised school library media practicum. Experiences shall include clinical experience to give the applicant an opportunity to apply the skills, knowledge, and competencies required for the endorsement. One year of successful, full-time experience as a school librarian in a public or accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the supervised practicum.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-430. Mathematics.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in mathematics; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in mathematics or 36 semester hours of coursework distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Algebra. Experience shall include linear algebra (matrices, vectors, and linear transformations) and abstract algebra (ring, group, and field theory);
b. Geometry. Experience shall include Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries;
c. Analytic geometry;
d. Probability and statistics;
e. Discrete mathematics. Experience shall include the study of mathematical properties of finite sets and systems and linear programming;
f. Calculus. Experience shall include multivariable calculus;
g. Mathematical modeling; and
h. Computer science, including two programming languages.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-440. Mathematics – algebra I (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Either:
a. Completed an approved teacher preparation program in Algebra I; or
b. Completed 24 semester hours that include coursework in each of the following areas:
(1) Elementary functions, introductory college algebra, and trigonometry;
(2) Linear algebra;
(3) Calculus;
(4) Euclidean geometry;
(5) Probability and statistics;
(6) Discrete mathematics;
(7) Mathematical modeling; and
(8) Methods of teaching algebra.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-450. Music education – instrumental preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in music education - instrumental; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 42 semester hours of coursework distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Basic music knowledge. Experiences shall be related to music theory, music history, and literature: 18 semester hours;
b. Musical performance. Experiences shall consist of developing competency in a primary performance medium (band or orchestral instrument), in a secondary performance medium (band, orchestral, or keyboard instrument), and in teaching, rehearsing, and conducting ensembles: 18 semester hours; and
c. Electives with coursework selected from either of the two areas listed in subdivisions 2 a and 2 b of this section: six semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-460. Music education – vocal/choral preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in music education - vocal/choral; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 42 semester hours of coursework distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Basic music knowledge. Experiences shall be related to music theory, music history, and literature: 18 semester hours;
b. Musical performance. Experiences shall consist of developing competency in a primary and secondary medium, selected from voice or keyboard, and in teaching, rehearsing, and conducting ensembles: 18 semester hours; and
c. Electives with coursework selected from either of the two areas listed in subdivisions 2 a and 2 b of this section: six semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-470. Science – biology.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in biology;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in biology or 32 semester hours in biology and at least one course in each of the following areas: genetics, biochemistry/molecular biology, cell biology, botany, zoology, anatomy/physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology and other preparation consistent with the competencies for the endorsement; or
3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and completed at least 18 semester hours in biology, including at least one course in each of the following areas: genetics, biochemistry/molecular biology or cell biology, botany, zoology, anatomy/physiology, and evolutionary biology or ecology.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-480. Science – chemistry.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in chemistry;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in chemistry or 32 semester hours in chemistry, including at least one course in each of the following areas: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry and other preparation consistent with the competencies required for the endorsement; or
3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and completed at least 18 semester hours in chemistry, including at least one course in each of the following areas: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-490. Science – Earth science.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in Earth science;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in Earth science, geology, or environmental science with a minimum of 32 semester hours in Earth sciences, including at least one course in each of the following areas: structural geology, petrology, paleontology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy/space science; or
3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and completed at least 18 semester hours in Earth sciences, including at least one course in each of the following areas: structural geology, petrology, paleontology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy/space science.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-500. Science – physics.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in physics;
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in physics or 32 semester hours in physics, including the following coursework: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics and other preparation consistent with the competencies required for the endorsement; or
3. Earned an endorsement in another science discipline and at least 18 semester hours in physics, including preparation in each of the following areas: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-510. Special education – adapted curriculum K-12.
Endorsement requirements: The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved program in special education - adapted curriculum; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 27 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities as distributed in the following areas:
a. Core coursework: 12 semester hours distributed among the following areas:
(1) Foundations: three semester hours. Characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities;
(2) Assessment and evaluation: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and application of the foundation of assessment and evaluation related to best practices in special education, including types and characteristics of assessment, introduction to formal and informal assessment, and the use of assessments and other information to determine special education eligibility, service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities. Understanding of the current legal and ethical issues related to assessment selection and use, including comprehensive evaluation requirements, students with disabilities participation in the state and local accountability systems, assessment options, appropriate grading and testing accommodations, and assessment of students from diverse backgrounds.
(3) Collaboration that includes skills in consultation, case management, co-teaching, and collaboration: three semester hours. Includes understanding roles and responsibilities, knowledge and application of effective communication skills and of culturally responsive practices and strategies, and the ability to develop home, school, and community partnerships to address the needs of students with disabilities.
(4) Management of classroom instruction and behaviors: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and knowledge of research-based classroom management techniques, positive behaviors supports, and individual interventions and a demonstrated ability to create a safe, orderly classroom environment, including classroom organization, instructional design, and establishment of classroom routines and procedures. Knowledge of the elements of effective instructional planning, differentiation of instruction, and other instructional approaches to enhance student engagement and achievement. Understanding of behavior assessments, data collection and analysis, and development and monitoring of behavior intervention plans.
b. Adapted curriculum coursework: 15 semester hours of coursework distributed in the following areas:
(1) Characteristics: three semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics, including medical and health conditions, and learning and support needs of students with disabilities (K-12) whose cognitive and functional skills are significantly different from typically developing peers and therefore require adaptations to the general curriculum for an appropriate education, including, but not limited to, students with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, and multiple disabilities including sensory, deaf-blindness, speech-language, orthopedic, and other health impairments as an additional disability to those referenced in this section.
(2) Individualized education program (IEP) implementation: three semester hours. Knowledge of the eligibility process and legal and regulatory requirements of IEP development, including timelines, components, team composition, roles, and responsibilities. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instruction, program, goal development, modifications, adaptations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and Virginia Standards of Learning through an aligned curriculum; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities in an adapted curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.
(3) Transitioning: three semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to prepare students and work with families to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary education, training, employment, and independent living that addresses an understanding of long-term planning, age-appropriate transition assessments, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, and self-determination to include goal setting, decision making, problem solving, self-awareness and self-advocacy, guardianship, and other legal considerations.
(4) Instructional methods and strategies for the adapted curriculum: three semester hours. An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities who need an adapted curriculum. Knowledge of the general curriculum requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs. Skills in this area include the ability to understand and use a range of modifications, adaptations, special instructional strategies, and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in reading, writing, and mathematics instruction for students with more significant disabilities; ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments; knowledge of available assistive and instructional technologies, including alternative communication methods and systems to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the adaptive curriculum and the ability to evaluate its effectiveness; ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized assessment to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional material and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to curriculum design and delivery; ability to modify and adapt instructional content in a variety of settings and collaborate with general education content teachers to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the adapted curriculum and monitor student progress.
(5) Individualized supports and specialized care of students with significant disabilities: three semester hours. Knowledge of and ability to implement adapted strategies to address the positioning, handling, communication, personal care, and medical needs of students with significant disabilities. Knowledge and understanding of the roles of related disciplines and service providers in collaborative planning and service delivery. Demonstration of the ability to develop and utilize a blended curriculum design to address disability-specific or unique needs such as feeding and communication while addressing the adapted curriculum requirements.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-520. Special education blindness and visual impairments preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in special education visual impairments preK-12; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in special education blindness and visual impairments or 30 semester hours in education of students with visual impairments, distributed with at least one course in each of the following areas:
a. Characteristics of students with visual impairment: three semester hours. Provides an overview of the characteristics of and services to persons with visual impairments, including the impact of visual impairment on infant and child growth and development, child and adolescent emotional and social development, and family interaction patterns. Includes the educational, conceptual, psychosocial, and physical implications of a visual impairment.
b. Foundations: three semester hours. Includes knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include understanding and application of the regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
c. Braille code: three semester hours. Includes the literary code of Braille, its implications for educational and literacy programs for students with visual disabilities and how to teach the Braille code to students with visual impairments.
d. Braille reading and writing: three semester hours. Includes instruction in the various technologies used by students who use Braille; basic instruction on transcription of advanced Braille codes, including uncontracted and contracted Unified English Braille, including music, foreign language, chemistry, and Nemeth code (Braille mathematics code); techniques for teaching skills in each code; and technology tools used to create Braille and tactile materials in addition to other assistive technologies used for instruction in mathematics and science.
e. Medical and educational implications of visual impairment: three semester hours. Includes anatomy of the human eye, normal visual development, pathology of the eye, examination procedures for the identification of visual pathology, and the effects of pathology on visual learning and development.
f. Assistive technology for students with sensory impairment: three semester hours. Introduces specific technology and resources available to enhance and improve ability of individuals with sensory disabilities and includes literacy skill development of students who are blind or visually impaired using technology.
g. Curriculum and assessment: three semester hours. Includes knowledge of educational assessments used with students with visual impairments and additional disabilities including deaf-blindness. Addresses assessment of technology needs of students with visual impairments, including functional vision assessments, learning media assessments, assistive technology, and assessment in areas of the expanded core curriculum; application of assessment results to development of the individualized education program (IEP); planning for placement; and services and accommodations for students with visual impairments.
h. Positive behavior intervention supports: three semester hours. Includes understanding of research-based, positive behavior intervention supports and individual interventions; knowledge of the elements of effective instructional planning, differentiation of instruction, and other instructional approaches to enhance student engagement and achievement; and understanding of behavior assessments, data collection and analysis, development, and monitoring of behavior intervention plans.
i. Collaboration: three semester hours. Includes skills in consultation, case management, co-teaching, and collaboration that include understanding roles and responsibilities, knowledge and application of effective communication skills, of culturally responsive practices and strategies, and the ability to develop home, school, and community partnerships to address the needs of students who are visually impaired.
j. Teaching methods: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) Methods of teaching compensatory skills, the core curriculum, and technology used by students who are blind and visually impaired; introduces individual family service plans (IFSPs); and includes understanding and application of development and implementation of the IEP, including service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students who are visually impaired.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in instruction for students who are visually impaired.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to assess student needs as they relate to curriculum design and delivery.
(6) Ability to model and directly teach instructional strategies in a variety of settings, and monitor student progress.
(7) Ability to adapt materials and procedures to meet the needs of students with visual impairments.
k. Orientation and mobility. Includes the components of orientation and mobility (O&M); how the need for independent travel in the blind population created the field of O&M; and the philosophy and history of O&M, including cane instruction, dog guides, and methods of travel. Addresses techniques in developing orientation skills and basic mobility instruction. Motor and concept skill development are emphasized.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-530. Special education deaf and hard of hearing preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in special education deaf and hard of hearing; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in special education deaf and hard of hearing or 27 semester hours in education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing distributed in the following areas:
a. Foundations: three semester hours. Includes knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical and legal aspects that include understanding and application of the regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
b. Characteristics: three semester hours. Includes the ability to demonstrate knowledge of etiologies of hearing loss, definitions, characteristics, learning, and support needs of students who are deaf and hard of hearing from pre-K through secondary levels, who may be using various communication modalities or languages, and who may have additional disabilities.
c. Assessment and evaluation: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and application of the foundation of assessment and evaluation related to best practices, including types and characteristics of assessments, formal and informal assessment, and the use of assessment information to determine special education eligibility and inform service delivery, curriculum, accommodations, instructional methods, and student progress. Understanding comprehensive evaluation requirements, participation of students with disabilities in state and local accountability systems, assessment options, appropriate testing accommodations, and assessment of students from diverse backgrounds.
d. Instructional planning: three semester hours. Includes the following:
(1) Familiarity with individual family service plans (IFSPs).
(2) An understanding and application of development and implementation of the individualized education program (IEP) including service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students who are deaf and hard of hearing and in transition.
(3) Knowledge of the general curriculum requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(4) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in instruction for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
(5) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to assess student needs as they relate to the curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and monitor student progress.
e. Speech, language, and literacy development: three semester hours. Includes an understanding of the normal developmental sequence of speech, language (oral, signed, and written), auditory, and cognitive milestones, varying methodologies and strategies used in assessing language skills (through the air and spoken) of a student who is deaf and hard of hearing; demonstrate skills necessary to foster and enhance language development and communication skills in students who are deaf and hard of hearing including American Sign Language, cued speech, and listening and spoken language skills. Ability to model and directly teach instructional strategies that foster language and literacy development.
f. Classroom and behavior management: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and knowledge of research-based classroom management techniques, positive behavior intervention supports and individual interventions; and demonstrated ability to create a safe, orderly classroom environment including classroom organization, instructional design, and establishment of classroom routines and procedures. Knowledge of the elements of effective instructional planning, differentiation of instruction, and other instructional approaches to enhance student engagement and achievement. Understanding of behavior assessments, data collection and analysis, development, and monitoring of behavior intervention plans
g. Audiology and speech and hearing science: three semester hours. Understanding of the basic principles of sound reception and production including neuroanatomy of speech and hearing mechanisms and physical characteristics and measurement of acoustic stimuli; biological, neurological, and acoustic bases of communication; reading and interpreting audiograms and other audiologic assessments used in determining eligibility; knowledge of types, degrees, and effects of hearing loss on developmental domains; relevance of age of onset, age of identification of hearing loss, and age of amplification and intervention in speech and language development; ability to troubleshoot hearing aids, external components of cochlear implants, and other assistive listening devices; and ability to foster development of listening skills.
h. Collaboration: three semester hours. Includes skills in consultation, case management, co-teaching, and collaboration that includes understanding roles and responsibilities, knowledge and application of effective communication skills, of culturally responsive practices and strategies, and the ability to develop home, school, and community partnerships to address the needs of students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
i. Communication modalities: three semester hours. Includes introduction to the various communication modalities used by students who are deaf and hard of hearing, including listening and spoken language, cued speech, speech reading, and through the air communication including use of American Sign Language (ASL) and contact varieties of signed language and coursework to learn ASL.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-540. Special education early childhood (birth-age five years).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in early childhood special education; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in early childhood special education or 27 semester graduate hours in early childhood special education, including at least one course in each of the following:
a. Foundations and legal aspects of special education: three semester hours;
b. Assessment for diagnosis, program planning, and curriculum-based measurement to document progress for young children with typical development, disabling, and at-risk conditions: three semester hours;
c. Curriculum and instructional programming for preschool: three semester hours;
d. Speech and language development and intervention: three semester hours;
e. Medical aspects: 3 semester hours;
f. Social and emotional skills and behavior management for early childhood: three semester hours;
g. Consultation, co-teaching, coaching, and mentoring: three semester hours;
h. Family-centered intervention: three semester hours; and
i. Early childhood elective: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-550. Special education – general curriculum K-12.
Endorsement requirements: The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved program in special education - general curriculum; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed 27 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities distributed in the following areas:
a. Core coursework: 12 semester hours distributed among the following areas:
(1) Foundations: three semester hours. Characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
(2) Assessment and evaluation: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and application of the foundation of assessment and evaluation related to best practice in special education, including types and characteristics of assessment, introduction to formal and informal assessment, and the use of assessments and other information to determine special education eligibility, service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities. Understanding of the current legal and ethical issues related to assessment selection and use, including comprehensive evaluation requirements, students with disabilities participation in the state and local accountability systems, assessment options, appropriate grading and testing accommodations, and assessment of students from diverse backgrounds.
(3) Collaboration that includes skills in consultation, case management, co-teaching, and collaboration: three semester hours. Includes understanding roles and responsibilities, knowledge and application of effective communication skills and of culturally responsive practices and strategies and the ability to develop home, school, and community partnerships to address the needs of students with disabilities.
(4) Management of classroom instruction and behaviors: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and knowledge of research-based classroom management techniques, positive behavior support, and individual interventions and a demonstrated ability to create a safe, orderly classroom environment, including classroom organization, instructional design, and establishment of classroom routines and procedures. Knowledge of the elements of effective instructional planning, differentiation of instruction, and other instructional approaches to enhance student engagement and achievement. Understanding of behavior assessments, data collection and analysis, development, and monitoring of behavior intervention plans.
b. General curriculum coursework: 15 semester hours distributed in the following areas:
(1) Characteristics: three semester hours. Skills in this area shall include the ability to demonstrate knowledge of definitions, characteristics, and learning and behavioral support needs of students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including students with learning disabilities, emotional disability, and intellectual disabilities; developmental delay; autism; other health impairments; traumatic brain injury; and multiple disabilities.
(2) Individualized education program development and implementation: three semester hours. Knowledge of the eligibility process and legal and regulatory requirements of IEP development, including timelines, components, team composition, and roles and responsibilities. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instructional program, goal development, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.
(3) Transitioning: three semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to prepare students and work with families and community agencies to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary education training, employment, and independent living that addresses an understanding of long-term planning, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, self-advocacy, and self-determination, guardianship, and legal considerations.
(4) Instructional strategies in reading and writing: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(a) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in reading and writing.
(b) Knowledge of the general curriculum, English requirements and expectations, and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(c) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified reading needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in reading and writing instruction for students with disabilities.
(d) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(e) Knowledge and ability to utilize current assistive and instructional reading and writing technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(f) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized reading and writing assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the curriculum design and delivery.
(g) Ability to model and directly teach reading and writing instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
(5) Instructional strategies in mathematics: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(a) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in mathematics.
(b) Knowledge of the general curriculum mathematics requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(c) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address calculations, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Skills in this area include the ability to understand and use a range of specialized mathematics instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in mathematics instruction for students with disabilities.
(d) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(e) Knowledge of and ability to utilize current mathematics related assistive and instructional technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(f) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized mathematics assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the mathematics curriculum design and delivery.
(g) Ability to model and directly teach mathematics instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the mathematics general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-560. Special education – general curriculum K-6 (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements: The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in elementary education, such as early/primary education preK-3 or elementary education preK-6.
2. Completed 15 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Foundations: three semester hours. Characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
b. Individualized education program development and implementation: three semester hours. Knowledge of the eligibility process and legal and regulatory requirements of IEP development, including timelines, components, team composition, and roles and responsibilities. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instructional, program, goal development, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.
c. Assessment and evaluation: three semester hours. Includes an understanding and application of the foundation of assessment and evaluation related to best practice in special education, including types and characteristics of assessment, introduction to formal and informal assessment, and the use of assessments and other information to determine special education eligibility, service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities. Understanding of the current legal and ethical issues related to assessment selection and use, including comprehensive evaluation requirements, students with disabilities' participation in the state and local accountability systems, assessment options, appropriate grading and testing accommodations, and assessment of students from diverse backgrounds.
d. Instructional strategies in reading and writing: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in reading and writing.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum, English requirements and expectations, and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified reading needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in reading and writing instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge and ability to utilize current assistive and instructional reading and writing technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized reading and writing assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach reading and writing instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
e. Instructional strategies in mathematics: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in mathematics.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum mathematics requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address calculations, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Skills in this area include the ability to understand and use a range of specialized mathematics instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in mathematics instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge of and ability to utilize current mathematics-related assistive and instructional technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized mathematics assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the mathematics curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach mathematics instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the mathematics general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
3. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. In lieu of the practicum, one year of successful, full-time teaching experience with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted provided the teacher is assigned a mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in special education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-570. Special education – general curriculum middle grades 6-8 (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements: The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in middle education, such as middle education grades 6-8 English, middle education grades 6-8 history and social sciences, middle education grades 6-8 mathematics, or middle education-sciences.
2. Completed 15 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Foundations: three semester hours. Characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
b. Individualized education program development and implementation: three semester hours. Knowledge of the eligibility process and legal and regulatory requirements of IEP development, including timelines, components, team composition, and roles and responsibilities. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instructional, program, goal development, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.
c. Transitioning: three semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to prepare students and work with families and community agencies to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary education training, employment, and independent living that addresses an understanding of long-term planning, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, self-advocacy, and self-determination, guardianship, and legal considerations.
d. Instructional strategies in reading and writing: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in reading and writing.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum, English requirements and expectations, and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified reading needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in reading and writing instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge and ability to utilize current assistive and instructional reading and writing technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized reading and writing assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as it relates to the curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach reading and writing instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
e. Instructional strategies in mathematics: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in mathematics.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum mathematics requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address calculations, reasoning and problem-solving skills. Skills in this area include the ability to understand and use a range of specialized mathematics instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in mathematics instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge of and ability to utilize current mathematics-related assistive and instructional technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized mathematics assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the mathematics curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach mathematics instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the mathematics general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
3. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. In lieu of the practicum, one year of successful, full-time teaching experience with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted provided the teacher is assigned a mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in special education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-580. Special education – general curriculum secondary grades 6-12 (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements: The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with an endorsement in English, history and social sciences, mathematics, biology, chemistry, Earth science, or physics.
2. Completed 15 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities distributed in each of the following areas:
a. Foundations: three semester hours. Characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities; historical, ethical, and legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements; and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
b. Individualized education program development and implementation: three semester hours. Knowledge of the eligibility process and legal and regulatory requirements of IEP development, including timelines, components, team composition, and roles and responsibilities. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instructional, program, goal development, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and the Virginia Standards of Learning; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.
c. Transitioning: three semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to prepare students and work with families and community agencies to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary education training, employment, and independent living that addresses an understanding of long-term planning, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, self-advocacy, and self-determination, guardianship, and legal considerations.
d. Instructional strategies in reading and writing: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in reading and writing.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum, English requirements and expectations, and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address the identified reading needs of the students. Skills in this area include the ability to identify, understand, and implement a range of specialized instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in reading and writing instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge and ability to utilize current assistive and instructional reading and writing technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized reading and writing assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach reading and writing instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
e. Instructional strategies in mathematics: three semester hours. Skills in this area include:
(1) An understanding and application of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities in mathematics.
(2) Knowledge of the general curriculum mathematics requirements and expectations and how to provide access to the curriculum based on student characteristics and needs.
(3) Ability to assess, interpret data, and implement instructional practices to address calculations, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Skills in this area include the ability to understand and use a range of specialized mathematics instructional strategies and research-based interventions that reflect best practice in mathematics instruction for students with disabilities.
(4) Ability to align the instructional practices and intervention with the Virginia Standards of Learning and state assessments.
(5) Knowledge of and ability to utilize current mathematics-related assistive and instructional technologies to promote learning and independence for students with disabilities in the general curriculum and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the technologies.
(6) Ability to develop and use curriculum-based and standardized mathematics assessments to conduct ongoing evaluations of instructional materials and practices to determine effectiveness and assess student needs as they relate to the mathematics curriculum design and delivery.
(7) Ability to model and directly teach mathematics instructional strategies in a variety of settings, collaborate and co-teach with general educators to develop and implement instructional practices that meet the needs of students with disabilities in the mathematics general curriculum, and monitor student progress.
3. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. In lieu of the practicum, one year of successful, full-time teaching experience with students with disabilities accessing the general curriculum in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted provided the teacher is assigned a mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in special education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-590. Speech communication (add-on endorsement).
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed a minimum of 15 semester hours in speech communication.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-600. Theatre arts preK-12.
A. Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in theatre arts; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in theatre arts or 33 semester hours distributed among the following areas:
a. Directing: six semester hours;
b. Technical theatre: nine semester hours;
c. Cultural context and theatre history: three semester hours;
d. Performance: six semester hours; and
e. Dramatic literature: nine semester hours.
B. Add-on endorsement requirements in theatre arts preK-12. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education with a teaching endorsement in a teaching area; and
2. Completed 15 semester hours distributed in the following areas:
a. Directing: three semester hours;
b. Technical theatre: three semester hours;
c. Cultural context and theatre history: three semester hours; and
d. Performance: six semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-610. Visual arts preK-12.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in visual arts; or
2. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completed a major in visual arts or 36 semester hours in art distributed in the following areas:
a. Two-dimensional media: 12 semester hours;
b. Three-dimensional media: 12 semester hours;
c. Cultural context and art history: six semester hours;
d. Evaluation and criticism and aesthetics: three semester hours; and
e. Related areas of the fine arts: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
Part VI
Licensure Regulations Governing Support Personnel
8VAC20-23-620. Administration and supervision preK-12.
A. An endorsement in administration and supervision preK-12 consists of Level I, which is required to serve as a building-level administrator or central office instructional supervisor, and Level II, which is an optional endorsement to which an experienced building-level administrator may aspire. Individuals shall meet the requirements for the administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement through one of the four options listed in this section. A school leader's assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education shall be passed for all individuals who are seeking an initial endorsement authorizing them to serve as principals and assistant principals in the public schools. Individuals seeking an initial administration and supervision endorsement who are interested in serving as central office instructional personnel are not required to take and pass the school leaders assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
B. Level I, Option I: Approved program route to Level I administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement. To become eligible for a Level I endorsement under this option, the candidate shall have:
1. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;
2. Completed three years of successful, full-time experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia;
3. Completed an approved program in administration and supervision from an accredited institution;
4. Completed a deliberately structured and supervised internship that is focused on student academic progress for all students and that:
a. Provides significant experiences within a school environment for candidates to synthesize and apply content knowledge and develop professional skills through school-based leadership experiences;
b. Shall occur in a public or accredited nonpublic school;
c. Provides exposure to five different multiple sites, such as elementary, middle, high, central office, and agency, with diverse student populations; and
d. Documents a minimum of 320 clock hours, of which 120 clock hours are embedded as experiential field-based opportunities experienced during coursework; and
5. Satisfied the requirements for the school leaders licensure assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. Individuals seeking an initial administration and supervision endorsement who are interested in serving as central office instructional personnel are not required to take and pass the school leaders assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.
C. Level I, Option II: Alternate route to Level I administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement restricted to the Virginia school division in which the superintendent submitted the recommendation for endorsement. This endorsement is valid only in the designated Virginia school division and would not be portable or reciprocal. In order to be eligible for Level I endorsement under this option, the candidate shall have:
1. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;
2. Completed graduate coursework in school law, evaluation of instruction, and other areas of study as required by an employing Virginia school superintendent. The graduate coursework shall be taken from an accredited institution that has a state-approved administration and supervision program;
3. Completed three years of successful, full-time experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia;
4. Satisfied the requirements for the school leaders licensure assessment specified by the Virginia Board of Education; and
5. Been recommended by the superintendent in the employing Virginia school division.
D. Level I, Option III: Alternate route to Level I administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement. In order to be eligible for Level I endorsement under this option, the candidate shall have:
1. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;
2. Completed graduate coursework in school law, evaluation of instructional personnel, special education, school finance, educational leadership, and other areas of study as required by an employing Virginia school superintendent, and the graduate coursework shall be taken from an accredited institution that has a state-approved administration and supervision program, or the candidate shall have completed school law, school finance, and a research-based program approved by the Virginia Department of Education that includes organizational leadership, instructional leadership, instructional practices in content areas, data utilization, evaluation and instructional coaching, and creating positive school cultures;
3. Completed three years of successful, full-time experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia;
4. Satisfied the requirements for the school leaders licensure assessment specified by the Virginia Board of Education; and
5. Been recommended by the superintendent in the employing Virginia school division.
E. Level I, Option IV: Out-of-state administration and supervision endorsement. Virginia does not issue a stand-alone license in administration and supervision. The endorsement is added to a license. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;
2. Completed three years of successful, full-time experience in a public school or accredited nonpublic school in an instructional personnel position;
3. Satisfied the requirements for the school leaders licensure assessment specified by the Virginia Board of Education; and
4. A current, valid out-of-state license, (with full credential), with an endorsement in administration and supervision or completed an approved program in administration and supervision from an accredited institution leading to an endorsement as a building-level administrator.
F. Level II: Principal of Distinction endorsement in administration and supervision preK-12. A building-level administrator may seek the Principal of Distinction, Level II endorsement in administration and supervision preK-12 after successfully serving as a building-level administrator for at least five years in a public school or an accredited nonpublic school and successfully completing a formal induction program as a principal or assistant principal. In order to earn the Principal of Distinction, Level II endorsement, the candidate shall meet two or more of the following criteria as specified by the Virginia Board of Education and documented in a Virginia Department of Education approved format and be recommended by the employing Virginia school division superintendent:
1. Evidence of improved student achievement;
2. Evidence of effective instructional leadership;
3. Evidence of positive effect on school climate or culture;
4. Earned doctorate in educational leadership or evidence of formal professional development in the areas of school law, school finance, supervision, human resource management, and instructional leadership; or
5. Evidence of completion of a high-quality professional development project designed by the division superintendent.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-630. Division Superintendent License.
An individual may be a candidate for the list of eligible division superintendents and the renewable Division Superintendent License through the completion of the requirements in one of the following four options:
1. Option I. The individual shall have:
a. Earned a doctorate degree in educational administration or educational leadership from an accredited institution; and
b. Completed five years of educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which shall be successful, full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which shall be in administration and supervision at the preK-12 level.
2. Option II. The individual shall have:
a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution and successfully completed 30 graduate semester hours beyond the conferral date of the master's degree;
b. Completed requirements for administration and supervision preK-12 endorsement that includes the demonstration of competencies in the following areas:
(1) Knowledge, understanding, and application of planning, assessment, and instructional leadership that builds collective professional capacity, including:
(a) Principles of student motivation, growth, and development as a foundation for age-appropriate and grade-appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment;
(b) Collaborative leadership in gathering and analyzing data to identify needs to develop and implement a school improvement plan that results in increased student learning;
(c) Planning, implementation, and refinement of standards-based curriculum aligned with instruction and assessment;
(d) Collaborative planning and implementation of a variety of assessment techniques, including examination of student work that yields individual, class, grade level, and school level data as a foundation for identifying existing competencies and targeting areas in need of further attention;
(e) Incorporation of differentiated and effective instruction that responds to individual learner needs, including appropriate response to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity;
(f) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the federal and state regulatory requirements and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities;
(g) Collaboratively working with parents and school personnel to ensure that students with disabilities are included as a valued part of the school community and that they receive effective and appropriately intensive instruction to assist them in meeting the standards set for all students, as well as individual goals outlined in their individualized education programs;
(h) Integration of technology in curriculum and instruction to enhance learner understanding;
(i) Identification, analysis, and resolution of problems using effective problem-solving techniques; and
(j) Development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of excellence linked to mission and core beliefs that promote continuous improvement consistent with the goals of the school division.
(2) Knowledge, understanding, and application of leadership and organizations, including:
(a) The change process of systems, organizations, and individuals, using appropriate and effective adult learning models;
(b) Aligning organizational practice, division mission, and core beliefs for developing and implementing strategic plans;
(c) Understanding information sources and processing, including data collection and data analysis strategies;
(d) Using data as a part of ongoing program evaluation to inform and lead change;
(e) Developing a change management strategy for improved student outcomes;
(f) Developing distributed leadership strategies to create personalized learning environments for diverse schools; and
(g) Practicing effective two-way communication skills including consensus building, negotiation, and mediation skills.
(3) Knowledge, understanding, and application of management and leadership skills that achieve effective and efficient organizational operations and sustain an instructional program conducive to student academic progress, including:
(a) Alignment of curriculum and instruction and assessment of the educational program to achieve high academic success at the school and division or district level;
(b) Principles and issues of supervising and leading others to ensure a working and learning climate that is safe, secure, and respectful of a diverse school community;
(c) Management decisions that ensure successful teaching and learning, including human resources management and development, theories of motivation, change in school culture, innovation and creativity, conflict resolution, adult learning, and professional development models;
(d) Knowledge, understanding, and application of Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers and Virginia's Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Principals;
(e) Principles and issues related to fiscal operations of school management;
(f) Principles and issues related to school facilities and use of space and time for supporting high-quality school instruction and student learning;
(g) Legal issues impacting school operations and management;
(h) Technologies that support management functions; and
(i) Application of data-driven decision making to initiate and continue improvement in school and classroom practices and student achievement.
(4) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the conditions and dynamics impacting a diverse school community, including:
(a) Recognizing emerging issues and trends within school and community relations;
(b) Working collaboratively with staff, families, and community members to secure resources and to support the success of a diverse population;
(c) Developing appropriate public relations and public engagement strategies and processes for building and sustaining positive relationships with families, caregivers, and community partners; and
(d) Integrating technology to support communication efforts.
(5) Knowledge, understanding, and application of the purpose of education and the role of professionalism in advancing educational goals, including:
(a) Philosophy of education that reflects commitment to principles of honesty, fairness, caring, and equity in day-to-day professional behavior;
(b) Integration of high-quality, content-rich, job-embedded professional learning that respects the contribution of all faculty and staff members in building a diverse professional learning community;
(c) Reflective understanding of moral and legal consequences of decision making in the school setting;
(d) Intentional and purposeful effort to model professional, moral, and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity in all interactions; and
(e) Intentional and purposeful effort to model continuous professional learning and to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the school community to support the school's goals and enhance its collective capacity.
(6) Knowledge, understanding, and application of leadership theories and influences that impact schools, including:
(a) Concepts of leadership, including systems theory, change theory, learning organizations, and current leadership theory;
(b) Ability to identify and respond to internal and external forces and influences on a school;
(c) Ability to identify and apply the processes of educational policy development at the state, local, and school level; and
(d) Ability to identify and demonstrate ways to influence educational policy development at the state, local, and school level; and
c. Completed five years of successful educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which must be full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which must be in administration and supervision.
3. Option III. The individual shall have:
a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution;
b. A current, valid out-of-state license with an endorsement as a division or district superintendent; and
c. Completed five years of successful educational experience in a public or an accredited nonpublic school, two years of which must be full-time teaching experience at the preK-12 level and two years of which must be in administration and supervision.
4. Option IV. The individual shall have:
a. Earned a master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution;
b. A minimum of three years of successful, full-time experience in a senior leadership position, such as chief executive officer or senior military officer; and
c. Be recommended by a Virginia school board interested in employing the individual as superintendent.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 10, 2019; Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-640. Mathematics specialist for elementary education.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Completed at least three years of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school in which the teaching of mathematics was an important responsibility; and
2. Either:
a. Graduated from a graduate-level approved mathematics specialist elementary education preparation program - master's degree from an accredited institution required; or
b. Completed a graduate-level program in mathematics, mathematics education, or related education field - master's degree from an accredited institution required - with at least 21 semester hours undergraduate or graduate mathematics coursework distributed in the following areas: (i) number and operations; (ii) rational numbers; (iii) geometry and measurement; (iv) probability and statistics; (v) algebra and functions; and (vi) at least nine semester hours of graduate coursework pertaining to mathematics education in mathematics instructional leadership, evaluation of mathematics curriculum and instruction, mathematical learning theory, and student assessment for mathematics.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-650. Mathematics specialist for elementary and middle education.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Completed at least three years of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school in which the teaching of mathematics was an important responsibility;
2. A Virginia license with a Mathematics – algebra I (add-on) or mathematics (secondary) teaching endorsement (grades 6-12); and
3. Either:
a. Graduated from a graduate-level approved mathematics specialist elementary and middle education preparation program - master's degree from an accredited institution required; or
b. Completed a graduate-level program in mathematics, mathematics education, or related education field - master's degree from an accredited institution required - with at least 21 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate mathematics coursework distributed in the following areas; (i) number and operations; (ii) rational numbers; (iii) geometry and measurement; (iv) probability and statistics; (v) algebra and functions; and (vi) at least nine semester hours of graduate coursework pertaining to mathematics education in mathematics instructional leadership, evaluation of mathematics curriculum and instruction, mathematical learning theory, and student assessment for mathematics.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-660. Reading specialist.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Graduated from a state-approved graduate-level reading specialist preparation program - master's degree from an accredited institution required - that includes course experiences of at least 30 semester hours of graduate coursework in the competencies for the endorsement, as well as a practicum experience in the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties;
2. Satisfied the requirements for the reading specialist assessment specified by the Virginia Board of Education; and
3. At least three years of successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of reading was an important responsibility.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-670. School counselor preK-12.
Endorsement requirements.
1. Option I. The candidate shall have:
a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution in a state-approved school counselor preparation program that shall include at least 100 clock hours of internship and practicum experiences in the preK-6 setting and 100 clock hours of internship and practicum experiences in the grades 7-12 setting; and
b. Two years of successful, full-time teaching experience or two years of successful, full-time experience in school counseling in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. Two years of successful, full-time experience in school counseling in a public or an accredited nonpublic school under a nonrenewable Provisional License may be accepted to meet this requirement.
2. Option II. The candidate shall have:
a. Earned a master's degree from an accredited institution and completed an approved school counselor preparation program that shall include at least 100 clock hours of internship and practicum experiences in the grades preK-6 setting and 100 clock hours of internship and practicum experiences in the grades 7-12 setting; and
b. Two years of successful, full-time teaching experience or two years of successful, full-time experience in school counseling in a public or an accredited nonpublic school. Two years of successful, full-time experience in school counseling in a public or an accredited nonpublic school under a nonrenewable Provisional License may be accepted to meet this requirement.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-680. School manager license.
A. The school manager license is intended to provide for the differentiation of administrative responsibilities in a school setting. A school manager is licensed to administer noninstructional responsibilities in an educational setting. For example, a school manager is restricted from evaluating teachers, supervising instruction, developing and evaluating curriculum, and serving as a school's student disciplinarian.
B. To earn a school manager license, the candidate shall:
1. Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
2. Have three years successful, full-time managerial experience; and
3. Be recommended for the license by a Virginia school division superintendent.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-690. School psychology.
Endorsement requirements:
1. Option I. The candidate shall:
a. Complete an approved program in school psychology;
b. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and complete 60 graduate-level hours, 54 of which are academic coursework, exclusive of field-based experiences, that culminate in at least a master's degree; and
c. Complete an internship that is documented by the degree-granting institution. The internship experience shall occur on a full-time basis over a period of one year or on a half-time basis over a period of two consecutive years. The internship shall occur under conditions of appropriate supervision, that is, the school-based supervisor shall be licensed as either a school or clinical psychologist. The internship shall include experiences at multiple age levels, at least one half of which shall be in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting.
2. Option II. The candidate shall hold a currently valid certificate issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-700. School social worker.
Endorsement requirements. The candidate shall have:
1. Earned a master's of social work degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 60 graduate-level semester hours; or earned an advanced standing master's of social work degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 graduate-level semester hours;
2. A minimum of six graduate semester hours in education to include six semester hours from two of the following courses:
a. Foundations of education and the teaching profession (three semester hours);
b. Characteristics of special education (three semester hours);
c. Human development and learning (three semester hours); or
d. Classroom and behavior management (three semester hours).
3. Completed a supervised practicum or field experience of a minimum of 400 clock hours in a public or an accredited nonpublic school discharging the duties of a school social worker. One year of successful, full-time experience as a school social worker in a public or an accredited nonpublic school may be accepted in lieu of the school social work practicum.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
8VAC20-23-710. Vocational evaluator.
Endorsement requirements:
1. Option I. The candidate shall be certified as a vocational evaluation specialist by holding a professional vocational evaluator (PVE) credential or a certified vocational evaluator (CVE) specialist credential, meeting all standards and criteria of the Commission on Certification of Work Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation Specialists (CCWAVES).
2. Option II. The candidate shall have earned a master's degree in vocational evaluation, career and technical education, special education, or rehabilitation counseling from an accredited institution and completed 15 graduate semester hours distributed in the following areas:
a. Tests and measurements: three semester hours;
b. Medical and educational aspects of disability: three semester hours;
c. Occupational information and job analysis: three semester hours;
d. Purposes and practices of vocational evaluation: three semester hours; and
e. Career, life planning, and transition services: three semester hours.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 2, eff. October 24, 2024.
Part VII
Revocation, Cancellation, Suspension, Denial, and Reinstatement of Licenses
8VAC20-23-720. Revocation.
A. A license issued by the Virginia Board of Education may be revoked for the following reasons:
1. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license by fraudulent means or through misrepresentation of material facts;
2. Falsification of school records, documents, statistics, or reports;
3. Conviction of any felony;
4. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
5. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving a student or minor;
6. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving drugs (not alcohol);
7. Conduct with direct and detrimental effect on the health, welfare, discipline, or morale of a student or minor;
8. Misapplication of or failure to account for school funds or other school properties with which the licensee has been entrusted;
9. Acts related to secure mandatory tests as specified in subsection A of § 22.1-292.1 of the Code of Virginia;
10. Knowingly and willfully with the intent to compromise the outcome of an athletic competition procure, sell, or administer anabolic steroids or cause such drugs to be procured, sold, or administered to a student who is a member of a school athletic team, or fail to report the use of such drugs by a student to the school principal and division superintendent as required by clause (iii) of subsection A of § 22.1-279.3:1 of the Code of Virginia. Any person whose license is suspended or revoked by the board pursuant to this section shall be ineligible for three school years for employment in the public schools of the Commonwealth;
11. Revocation, suspension, surrender, cancellation, invalidation, or denial of, or other adverse action against, a teaching, administrator, pupil personnel services, or other education-related certificate or license by another state, territory, or country; or denial of an application for any such certificate or license;
12. Founded case of child abuse or neglect after all administrative appeals have been exhausted;
13. Notification of dismissal or resignation pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-313 of the Code of Virginia; or
14. Other good and just cause in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
B. The Virginia Board of Education shall revoke the license of any person for whom it has received a notice of dismissal or resignation pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-313 of the Code of Virginia and, in the case of a person who is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect, after all rights to any administrative appeal provided by § 63.2-1526 of the Code of Virginia have been exhausted. In the case of a teacher who is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect and whose license has been revoked pursuant to this subsection, in the event that a court reverses such finding of abuse or neglect and the individual submits to the department an application for the reinstatement of the individual's license as a teacher, the board shall consider and act upon such application no later than 90 days after the date of submission.
C. Procedures.
1. A complaint may be filed by anyone, but it shall be the duty of a division superintendent, principal, or other responsible school employee to file a complaint in any case in which he has knowledge that a basis for the revocation of a license exists, as set forth in subsection A of this section. The person making the complaint shall submit the complaint in writing to the appropriate division superintendent. If the subject of the complaint is the division superintendent, the person making the complaint may submit the complaint to the chair of the local school board.
2. Upon receipt of the complaint against the holder of a license, a division superintendent or his duly authorized representative shall conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of any complaint alleging that a license holder has engaged in conduct that may form the basis for the revocation of the license holder's license. If, on the basis of such investigation, the division superintendent finds the complaint to be without merit, the division superintendent shall so notify the complaining party in writing and then close his file on the matter. This action shall be final unless the local school board, on its own motion, votes to proceed to a hearing on the complaint.
D. Petition for revocation. Upon completing an investigation, should the division superintendent or local school board conclude that there is reasonable cause to believe that the license holder has engaged in conduct that forms the basis for revocation of a license, the license holder shall be notified of the complaint by a written petition for revocation of a license signed by the division superintendent. A copy of such petition shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the license holder's last known address. The school board shall proceed to a hearing on such petition for revocation within 90 days of the mailing of a copy of the petition to the license holder, unless the license holder requests the cancellation of his license in accordance with this chapter; and the school board shall provide a copy of the investigative file and such petition for revocation to the Superintendent of Public Instruction at the time that the hearing is scheduled.
E. Form of petition. The petition for the revocation of a license shall set forth:
1. The name and last known address of the person against whom the petition is being filed;
2. The type of license and the license number held by the person against whom the petition is being filed;
3. The basis for revocation and the specific underlying alleged actions;
4. A statement of rights of the person against whom the petition is being filed. The statement of rights shall notify the person that any adverse action against a license, including revocation, will be reported to the division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States. The statement also shall include notification to the person of the right to cancel the license if the person chooses not to contest the allegations in the petition. The statement shall notify the individual that the individual shall receive a notice of cancellation that will include the statement: "The license holder voluntarily returned the license in response to a petition for revocation." The individual also shall be notified that the cancellation of the license will be reported to division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States; and
5. Any other pertinent information.
F. Filing of petition. The original petition shall be entered in the files of the local school board where the license holder is or was last employed.
G. Response to petition. The license holder shall present the license holder's written answer to the petition, if any, within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition as certified by the United States Postal Service.
1. If the license holder does not wish to contest the allegations in the petition, the license holder may request cancellation of the license by submitting a written, signed statement requesting cancellation in response to a petition for revocation. The division superintendent shall forward the request for cancellation along with the petition for revocation to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within 14 days of receipt. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cancel the license and send a notice of cancellation to the person by certified mail within 14 days of receipt of the request for cancellation.
2. If the license holder files a written answer admitting or denying the allegations in the petition or fails to file a written answer within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service, the local school board shall proceed to a hearing as described in subsection D of this section and subdivision 3 of this subsection; and within 90 days of mailing the petition to the license holder and provide the Superintendent of Public Instruction a copy of the petition and investigative file at the time the local school board hearing is scheduled. The local school board shall provide a hearing at the time and place of its regular meeting or at such other reasonable time and place it may specify. The license holder or the license holder's representative, if any, shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the hearing.
3. At the hearing, the local school board shall receive the recommendation of the division superintendent and then either deny the petition or recommend license revocation or suspension. A decision to deny the petition shall be final, except as specified in subsection H of this section, and the investigative file on the petition shall be closed and maintained as a separate file. Any record or material relating to the allegations in the petition shall be placed in the investigative file. Should the local school board recommend the revocation or suspension of a license, the division superintendent shall forward the recommendation, petition, and investigative file to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within 14 days.
H. Revocation on motion of the Virginia Board of Education. The Virginia Board of Education reserves the right to act directly to revoke a license when the Virginia Board of Education has reasonable cause to believe that subsection A of this section is applicable. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may send a petition for revocation to the license holder as provided by subsection E of this section. The license holder shall have the opportunity to present the license holder's written answer, if any, to the petition within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service.
1. If the license holder does not wish to contest the allegations in the petition, the license holder may request the cancellation of the license by submitting a written, signed statement requesting cancellation in response to a petition for revocation. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cancel the license and send a notice of cancellation to the person by certified mail within 14 day of receipt of the request for cancellation.
2. If the license holder files a written answer admitting the allegations in the petition or fails to file a written answer within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service, the petition shall be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Education for action. No revocation will be ordered without the involved license holder being given the opportunity to appear at a hearing specified in 8VAC20-23-780 C.
3. If the license holder timely files the license holder's written answer denying the allegations in the petition, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall schedule a hearing with the investigative panel provided in 8VAC20-23-780 A. The license holder or the license holder's representative, if any, shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the hearing. The investigative panel shall take action on the petition as specified in 8VAC20-23-780 A. No revocation will be ordered without the involved license holder being given the opportunity to appear at a hearing specified in 8VAC20-23-780 C.
I. Reinstatement of license. A license that has been revoked may be reinstated by the Virginia Board of Education after five years if the board is satisfied that reinstatement is in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The individual seeking reinstatement shall submit a written request and completed application to the board. Notification to all appropriate parties will be communicated in writing by the Virginia Department of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022; Volume 40, Issue 5, eff. November 22, 2023.
8VAC20-23-730. Cancellation.
A. A license may be canceled by the voluntary return of the license by the license holder in response to a petition for revocation or suspension or pursuant to a court order. Reasons for cancellation are the same as those listed under 8VAC20-23-720 A.
B. The individual may voluntarily return the license to the division superintendent or the Superintendent of Public Instruction with a written, signed statement requesting cancellation. The individual shall acknowledge in the request that he understands that the notice of cancellation will include the statement: "The license holder voluntarily surrendered his teaching license and requested cancellation. Reasons for cancellation are the same as those for revocation." The individual shall also acknowledge that he understands that the notice of cancellation will include the statement: "The license holder voluntarily surrendered the license in response to a petition for revocation or suspension or a court order." The individual also shall acknowledge that he understands that the cancellation of the license will be reported to division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States. The division superintendent shall forward any request for cancellation and, if applicable, the petition for revocation or suspension to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within 14 days of receipt. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cancel the license and send the person a notice of cancellation by certified mail within 14 days of receipt of the request for cancellation.
C. A license that has been canceled may be reinstated by the Virginia Board of Education if the board is satisfied that reinstatement is in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The individual seeking reinstatement shall submit a written request and completed application to the board. Notification to all appropriate parties will be communicated in writing by the Virginia Department of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-740. Suspension.
A. A license may be suspended for the following reasons:
1. Physical, mental, or emotional incapacity as shown by a competent medical authority;
2. Incompetence or neglect of duty;
3. Failure or refusal to comply with school laws and regulations, including willful violation of contractual obligations;
4. Acts related to secure mandatory tests as specified in subsection A of § 22.1-292.1 of the Code of Virginia;
5. Knowingly and willfully with the intent to compromise the outcome of an athletic competition procure, sell, or administer anabolic steroids or cause such drugs to be procured, sold, or administered to a student who is a member of a school athletic team, or fail to report the use of such drugs by a student to the school principal and division superintendent as required by clause (iii) of subsection A of § 22.1-279.3:1 of the Code of Virginia. Any person whose license is suspended or revoked by the board pursuant to this section shall be ineligible for three school years for employment in the public schools of the Commonwealth; or
6. Other good and just cause in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
B. Procedures.
1. A complaint may be filed by anyone, but it shall be the duty of a division superintendent, principal, or other responsible school employee to file a complaint in any case in which he has knowledge that a basis for suspension exists, as set forth in subsection A of this section. The person making the complaint shall submit the complaint in writing to the appropriate division superintendent. If the subject of the complaint is the division superintendent, the person making the complaint may submit the complaint to the chair of the local school board.
2. Upon receipt of the complaint against the holder of a license, a division superintendent or his duly authorized representative shall immediately and thoroughly investigate the complaint. If, on the basis of such investigation, the division superintendent finds the complaint to be without merit, he shall so notify the complaining party or parties in writing and then close his file on the matter. This action shall be final unless the local school board on its own motion votes to proceed to a hearing on the complaint.
C. Petition for suspension. Should the division superintendent or local school board conclude that there is reasonable cause to believe that a basis for suspension of the license exists, the license holder shall be notified of the complaint by a written petition for suspension of a license signed by the division superintendent. A copy of such petition shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the license holder's last known address.
D. Form of petition. The petition for the suspension of a license shall set forth:
1. The name and last known address of the person against whom the petition is being filed;
2. The type of license and the license number held by the person against whom the petition is being filed;
3. The basis for suspension and the specific underlying alleged actions;
4. A statement of the rights of the person against whom the petition is being filed. The statement of rights shall notify the person that the license may be suspended for up to five years with the period of suspension, as determined by the Virginia Board of Education. In addition, the statement shall notify the person that any adverse action against a license, including suspension, will be reported to the division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States. The statement also shall notify the person of the right to cancel the license if he chooses not to contest the allegations in the petition and notify the individual that if he cancels the license, he shall receive a notice of cancellation that will include the statement: "The license holder voluntarily returned the license in response to a petition for suspension." The individual also shall be notified that the cancellation will be reported to division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States; and
5. Any other pertinent information.
E. Filing of petition. The original petition shall be entered in the files of the local school board where the license holder is or was last employed.
F. Response to petition. The license holder shall present his written answer to the petition, if any, within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service.
1. If the license holder does not wish to contest the allegations in the petition, he may request cancellation of the license by submitting a written and signed statement requesting cancellation in response to a petition for suspension to the division superintendent. The division superintendent shall forward the request for cancellation along with the petition for suspension to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within 14 days of receipt. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cancel the license and send the person a notice of cancellation to the person by certified mail within 14 days of receipt of the request for cancellation.
2. If the license holder files a written answer admitting or denying the allegations in the petition or fails to file a written answer within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service, the local school board shall promptly proceed to a hearing. The local school board shall provide a hearing at the time and place of its regular meeting or at such other reasonable time and place it may specify. The license holder or his representative, if any, shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the hearing.
3. At its hearing, the local school board shall receive the recommendation of the division superintendent and then either deny the petition or recommend suspension. A decision to deny the petition shall be final, except as specified in subsection G of this section, and the investigative file on the petition shall be closed and maintained as a separate file. Any record or material relating to the allegations in the petition shall be placed in the investigative file. Should the local school board recommend the suspension of a license, the division superintendent shall forward the recommendation and the investigative file to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within 14 days.
G. Suspension on motion of the Virginia Board of Education. The Virginia Board of Education reserves the right to act directly to suspend a license when the Virginia Board of Education has reasonable cause to believe that subsection A of this section is applicable. The Superintendent of Public Instruction may send a petition for suspension to the license holder as specified in subsection D of this section. The license holder shall have the opportunity to present his written answer to the petition, if any, within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service.
1. If the license holder does not wish to contest the allegations in the petition, he may request cancellation of the license by submitting a written, signed statement requesting cancellation in response to a petition for suspension. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall cancel the license and send a notice of cancellation to the person by certified mail within 14 days of receipt of their request for cancellation.
2. If the license holder files a written answer admitting the allegations in the petition or fails to file a written answer within 14 days of delivery or attempted delivery of the petition, as certified by the United States Postal Service, the petition shall be forwarded to the Virginia Board of Education for action. No suspension will be ordered without the involved license holder being given the opportunity to appear at a hearing specified in 8VAC20-23-780 C.
3. If the license holder timely files his written answer denying the allegations in the petition, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall schedule a hearing with the investigative panel provided in 8VAC20-23-780 A. The license holder or his representative, if any, shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the hearing. The investigative panel shall take action on the petition as specified in 8VAC20-23-780 A. No suspension will be ordered without the involved license holder being given the opportunity to appear at a hearing specified in 8VAC20-23-780 C.
H. Reinstatement of license. A license may be suspended for a period of time not to exceed five years. The license may be reinstated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, upon written request and application, with verification that all conditions for licensure have been satisfied. Notification to all appropriate parties will be communicated in writing by the Virginia Department of Education.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-750. Denial.
A. A license may be denied for the following reasons:
1. Attempting to obtain a license by fraudulent means or through misrepresentation of material facts;
2. Falsification of records or documents;
3. Conviction of any felony;
4. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
5. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving a student or minor;
6. Conviction of any misdemeanor involving drugs (not alcohol);
7. Conduct with direct and detrimental effect on the health, welfare, discipline, or morale of a student or minor;
8. Revocation, suspension, surrender, cancellation, invalidation, or denial of, or other adverse action against, a teaching, administrator, pupil personnel services, or other education-related certificate or license by another state, territory, or country, or denial of an application for any such certificate or license;
9. Founded case of child abuse or neglect, after all administrative appeals have been exhausted; or
10. Other good and just cause in the best interest of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
B. Any denial of a license for a reason set forth in 8VAC20-23-750 A shall be reported to division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-755. Written reprimand.
A. A written reprimand of a license holder may be issued for the following reasons:
1. Acts related to secure mandatory tests as specified in subsection A of § 22.1-292.1 of the Code of Virginia;
2. Breach of employment contract, in the event that a school board or division superintendent declines to grant a license holder's request for release from an employment contract on the grounds of insufficient or unjustifiable cause; and
3. In accordance with law and at the discretion of the State Board of Education after reviewing the specific facts and circumstances of a license holder's case and determining that the license holder's conduct is not sufficiently serious or harmful to merit the withdrawal of a license, any of the reasons that a license may be revoked or suspended listed in 8VAC20-23-720 A and 8VAC20-23-740 A, respectively, except (i) conviction of any violent felony set forth in the definition of barrier crime in subsection A of § 19.2-392.02 of the Code of Virginia; (ii) any offense involving the sexual molestation, physical or sexual abuse, or rape of a child; and (iii) conduct listed in 8VAC20-23-720 A 10 and 8VAC20-23-740 A 5, which requires revocation or suspension of a license by the State Board of Education under subsection A of § 22.1-292.2 of the Code of Virginia.
B. The State Board of Education may not issue a written reprimand of any license holder for whom it has received a notice of dismissal or resignation pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-313 of the Code of Virginia and, in the case of a person who is the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect after all rights to any administrative appeal provided by § 63.2-1526 of the Code of Virginia have been exhausted, assuming the founded complaint of child abuse or neglect remains on the Central Registry.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022.
8VAC20-23-760. Expired license.
Written reprimand of a license holder may be issued for any reason listed in 8VAC20-23-755 A. Action against a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education may be taken for any of the reasons listed in 8VAC20-23-720 A, 8VAC20-23-740 A, or 8VAC20-23-750 A even if the license is expired, as long as the basis for the reprimand or action occurred prior to the issuance of the license or while the license was active.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022.
8VAC20-23-770. Right to counsel and transcript.
A license holder or applicant shall have the right, at his own expense, to be represented by an attorney or other representative at (i) any local school board hearing provided for in 8VAC20-23-720 F 2 or 8VAC20-23-740 F 2, (ii) the investigative panel hearing provided for in 8VAC20-23-780 A, or (iii) in proceedings before the Virginia Board of Education as specified in 8VAC20-23-780 C. The hearing before the local school board provided for in 8VAC20-23-720 F 2 or 8VAC20-23-740 F 2 and the investigative panel hearing provided for in 8VAC20-23-780 A shall be recorded, and, upon written request, the license holder or applicant shall be provided a transcript of the hearing at his own expense. Any such hearing before the Virginia Board of Education shall be recorded, and, upon written request, the license holder or applicant shall be provided a transcript of the hearing at no charge.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-780. Action by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Virginia Board of Education.
A. Upon receipt of a petition, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will ensure that an investigative panel at the state level reviews the petition. The panel shall consist of three to five members selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The applicant or license holder shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the date, time, and location of the investigative panel hearing when his case will be considered. The Virginia Department of Education shall ensure that the applicant or license holder receives all documentation that will be used during the investigative panel hearing prior to the hearing. Representatives of the local school division and the applicant or license holder are entitled to be present with counsel and witnesses if so desired. The investigative panel hearing shall be recorded. The recommendation of the investigative panel is made to the Superintendent of Public Instruction who will forward his recommendation and the documentation used during the investigative panel hearing to the Virginia Board of Education or its duly designated committee for consideration at one of its scheduled meetings. The applicant or license holder shall be given at least 14 days' notice of the Virginia Board of Education meeting when his case will be considered. Following the investigative panel hearing, the Virginia Department of Education shall forward the recommendation of the investigative panel to the applicant or license holder as soon as practicable, but no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled Virginia Board of Education meeting when his case will be considered.
B. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is authorized to approve the issuance of licenses for individuals who have a misdemeanor conviction related to drugs, not including alcohol, based on a review of the cases. No individual will be denied a license without a hearing of the Virginia Board of Education as required in this section.
C. The applicant or license holder and representatives of the local school division are entitled to be present with counsel and witnesses, if so desired, at the hearing of the Virginia Board of Education. The Virginia Board of Education, or its duly designated committee, shall consider the recommendation of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and such relevant and material evidence as the applicant or license holder and representative of the local school division may desire to present at the hearing. At its discretion, the Virginia Board of Education may ask the applicant or license holder questions. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Virginia Board of Education will announce its decision.
D. The decision of the Virginia Board of Education shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, and the applicant or license holder and principal complainants will receive written notice of the decision.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-790. Right of applicant or license holder to appear at hearing.
An applicant or a license holder shall have the right to appear in person at the hearings held by the local school board, the Superintendent's Investigative Panel, Virginia Board of Education, or board committee described in this part unless he is confined to jail or a penal institution. The local school board or Virginia Board of Education, at its discretion, may continue such hearings for a reasonable time if the applicant or license holder is prevented from appearing in person for reasons such as a documented medical condition or mental impairment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018.
8VAC20-23-800. Notification.
Notification of the revocation, suspension, cancellation, denial, or reinstatement of a license or the written reprimand to a license holder shall be made by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or his designee, to division superintendents in Virginia and, through a national clearinghouse, to chief state school officers of the other states and territories of the United States.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-298.1 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 38, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2022.