Education

• To obtain a teaching license in Virginia, an individual must complete an approved teacher preparation program that includes student teaching. Applicants must complete the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment and the Praxis II and meet minimum score requirements. Applicants for licensure in certain subject areas, such as special education, must also complete a reading assessment. Individuals from other states can obtain licenses in Virginia if they completed similar programs in their states.
  
  

License Renewal

• Virginia teachers must renew their licenses every five years. To renew a teaching license, the individual must have at least 180 professional development points. Teachers can accumulate points by completing college courses, attending professional conferences, developing curriculum, publishing articles or books and mentoring other teachers. Teachers who have not yet earned a master's degree must have at least 90 professional development points from college courses. All individuals renewing licenses must show that they have completed Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention Training.
  
  

Professional Standards

• Virginia publishes professional standards that superintendents and principals use to evaluate teachers. Virginia expects teachers to have a thorough knowledge of their students and a thorough knowledge of the content they teach. Teachers must also be able to plan, deliver and assess their own instruction. Teachers must also be able to provide a safe and effective learning environment, and must demonstrate communication, collaboration and professionalism. Virginia publishes professional standards specific to each subject area.
  
  

Considerations

• Individuals who hold teaching licenses from other states may be exempt from professional assessment exams. At the time of publication, it costs $25 to renew your teaching license in Virginia. If your license expires before you apply for renewal, don't apply for a new license; instead, follow the same procedure for renewal as you would under normal circumstances.