Do you want to work as a teacher in the great state of West Virginia? If that’s the case, you have come to the correct place. A short article on the processes of becoming a teacher in West Virginia may be found below.

Step 1: Complete a Teacher Preparation Program that has been Approved 

Teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree to teach in the United States. To get certification in West Virginia, students must finish a state-approved teacher training program. West Virginia does not provide a precise curriculum or credit-hour prerequisites, but each teacher training program at an institution has its own set of prerequisites. For further information, contact your teacher training program or the West Virginia Department of Education.

Like in most states of the United States, curriculum and field experiences are the two main components of teacher training programs in West Virginia. Instruction on teaching core skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and training students to research, design, and execute learning experiences in their field of study are often included in the curriculum. Field observations, internships, student teaching, or an amalgamation of all three are common field experiences. The West Virginia Department of Education’s website has a list of university teacher training programs that are accredited by the state.

Step 2: Pass the Requisite Exams

You must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Teachers series of examinations in reading, writing, and mathematics, along with the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination and the assessments for your specific licensing fields, to become a certified teacher in West Virginia. ETS, which conducts all Praxis examinations, has a description of the needed exams per topic area on their website.

There are four types of teaching certificates issued by the West Virginia Department of Education:

Temporary Teaching Licenses are for teachers who have accomplished authorized out-of-state teacher training programs, have international licensing, or have out-of-state licenses. It is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. 

Initial Professional Teaching Licenses are for teachers who have finished recognized teacher training programs, received program endorsement, and passed the required tests. It is valid for three years and can be renewed.

Professional Five-Year Teaching License is for teachers who have accomplished Preliminary Teacher Internships/Inductions, attended six credit hours of academic subjects, have two years of teaching experience, and obtained endorsements from their superintendent. It is valid for five years and can be renewed.

Permanent Professional Teaching License is for teachers who have maintained Professional Five-Year Teaching Credentials, completed their master’s degrees, have five years of teaching experience, and obtained their superintendent’s endorsements. It is valid until relinquished, terminated, or canceled.

Step 3: Fill out and submit your application for a West Virginia teaching credential.

Aspiring teachers in West Virginia are eligible to begin the licensure application proc after completing a teacher training program. The initial step is to get Form 20-T and fill it out. This form shows that you have completed a teacher training program and that you fulfill all of the certification criteria. All applicants must fill out the application information page and submit it along with official transcripts, a 25 dollars application dues that cannot be refunded, and a letter of recommendation from their teacher training program.

Applicants for teacher certification in West Virginia must accomplish both state and FBI background checks. This is done to ensure that a potential teacher is the best fit for the job. Applicants need to print and finish Form 7 throughout the application process, which includes a background check. To send with Form 7, candidates must additionally purchase and complete fingerprint cards. Fingerprint cards may be requested here. Candidates must submit their applications to the WVDOE office after completing all paperwork and criteria. On the DOE website, you may get further information.