West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-136 - Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications (5202)
Section 126-136-10 - Licenses for Professional Educators
Universal Citation: 126 WV Code of State Rules 126-136-10
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
10.1. Professional Teaching Certificate.
10.1.a. Temporary Renewable Teaching
Certificate.
10.1.a.1. General Criteria. A
Temporary Renewable Teaching Certificate may be requested if an individual
possesses an expired out-of-state certificate issued without restrictions
equivalent to a West Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate, at the time of
application and meets the general requirements of section 9 (including the
criminal history record check as referred to in sections 9.2 and 9.3),
completes the WVDE module on school safety and social/emotional wellbeing if
the out-of-state certificate has been expired more than three years, and has
obtained employment or an offer of employment in a West Virginia public
school.
10.1.a.2. Validity Period.
The Temporary Renewable Teaching Certificate shall be valid for a period of one
year and may be renewed twice.
10.1.a.3. Renewal of Temporary Renewable
Teaching Certificate. To renew the Temporary Renewable Teaching Certificate,
the candidate must be employed in a West Virginia public school, obtain
successful evaluations for each year taught under the Temporary Certificate
within the West Virginia Educator Evaluation System with an earned performance
rating of Emerging or above, and obtain the recommendation from the employing
county superintendent.
10.1.a.4.
Conversion of Temporary Renewable Teaching Certificate to an Initial
Professional Teaching Certificate. To convert Temporary Renewable Teaching
Certificate to an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate applicant must have
three years of full-time teaching experience under the Temporary Renewable
Teaching Certificate and in one or more area(s) of endorsement on such
certificate, be employed in a West Virginia public school, obtain successful
evaluations for each year taught under the Temporary Renewable Teaching
Certificate within the West Virginia Educator Evaluation System with an earned
performance rating of Emerging or above, and obtain the recommendation from the
employing county superintendent.
10.1.b. Temporary Teaching Certificate for
Program Completers.
10.1.b.1. General
Criteria. The Temporary Teaching Certificate for Program Completers may be
granted only one time to an individual who has completed an approved
preparation program, has attempted the content Praxis two or more times without
meeting the required cut score.
10.1.b.2. Conditions for Issuance. The
applicant for the Temporary Teaching Certificate for Program Completers must
submit evidence of the following: holds a minimum of a BA including completion
of an approved preparation program that included a clinical experience,
residency, or equivalent with the exception of passing scores for the Praxis
content and professional education assessments; and with a minimum of a B or
better average in the content area in which they will be seeking licensure; and
who has a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; and receives the recommendation of the
county superintendent verifying that the applicant is the most qualified
candidate for the position. Candidates who completed the program prior to
January 1, 2020, must complete the WVDE module on school safety and
social/emotional wellbeing.
10.1.b.3. Validity Period. The Temporary
Teaching Certificate for Program Completers shall be valid for a period of one
year and may be renewed twice.
10.1.b.4. Renewal of Temporary Teaching
Certificate for Program Completers. To renew the Temporary Teaching Certificate
for Program Completers the candidate must be employed in a West Virginia public
school, obtain successful evaluations for each year taught under the Temporary
Certificate within the West Virginia Educator Evaluation System with an earned
performance rating of Emerging or above and obtain the recommendation from the
employing county superintendent.
10.1.b.5. Conversion of Temporary Teaching
Certificate for Program Completers to an Initial Professional Teaching
Certificate. In order to obtain an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate a
candidate shall complete three years of full-time experience under the
Temporary Teaching Certificate for Program Completers, obtain successful
evaluations for each year taught under the Temporary Certificate for Program
Completers within the West Virginia Educator Evaluation System with an earned
performance rating of Emerging or above, six semester hours of coursework or an
MA+30, or age of 60 or above, meet the required cut scores on all WVBE-required
testing as outlined in section 10.1.c; or meet a qualifying exemption as
outlined in section 10.1.e; or meet the WVBE-required score on the edTPA
teacher performance assessment as outlined in the Licensure Testing Directory.
10.1.b.5.A. Exception. Candidates who
successfully complete both the WVBE-required testing and the WVBE-required
score on the edTPA may apply to convert to a three-year professional teaching
certificate at any time once this requirement has been met.
10.1.c. Professional
Teaching Certificate.
10.1.c.1. General
Criteria. A Professional Teaching Certificate may be issued to a person who has
completed and met all requirements of a state-approved educator preparation
program or has satisfied the requirements of W. Va. Code §18A-3-2 a.
Out-of-state candidates must meet the requirements in section 16 of this
policy. The Professional Teaching Certificate shall be endorsed to indicate the
specialization(s) and grade levels, identified in Appendix A, in which the
holder can be legally assigned within the public schools.
10.1.c.2. Conditions for Issuance. The
candidate for the Professional Teaching Certificate must submit evidence of
completing criteria described in section 9; if employed, obtain the
recommendation from the employing county superintendent; and
10.1.c.2.A. WVBE-Adopted Tests. Unless
identified as an exemption an educator must satisfy the minimum proficiency
levels or any identified option as indicated in the directory located on the
WVDE website as adopted by the WVBE for:
10.1.c.2.A.1. The required Pre-Professional
Skills Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics; and
10.1.c.2.A.2. Content Specialization Test(s)
for each specialization for which licensure is requested, if a test is
required; and
10.1.c.2.A.3. The
Professional Education Test that includes most of the grade levels indicated on
the anticipated certificate or approved nationally-normed teacher performance
assessment (TPA), or a WVBE-approved, scientifically valid and reliable TPA as
indicated in Policy 5100 and in the directory or meet the conditions under
section 10.4.a.3.
10.1.c.3. Validity Period. The Professional
Teaching Certificate shall be valid for three years and shall expire on June 30
of the last year of its validity and may be renewed.
10.1.c.3.A. The Professional Teaching
Certificate is non-transferable unless the requirements listed in section
10.1.c.5 are met. Experience gained on the initial non-transferable
Professional Teaching Certificate may not be used for conversion
purposes.
10.1.c.4.
Conversion of a Non-Transferrable Professional Teaching Certificate to an
Initial Professional Teaching Certificate. A candidate who successfully
completes a WVBE-approved Teacher Performance Assessment per Policy 5100 may
convert the certificate to a three-year transferable Professional Teaching
Certificate upon application.
10.1.c.4.A. The
Non-Transferrable Professional Teaching Certificate may not be converted beyond
a three-year certificate until the performance assessment requirement is met as
described in section 10.4.a.3; or
10.1.c.4.B. After January 1 of the year in
which the certificate expires, and the candidate has met the WVBE-approved
Teacher Performance Assessment per Policy 5100, a candidate may be eligible for
a Five-Year Professional Teaching Certificate or a Permanent Professional
Teaching Certificate if all requirements are met in sections 10.6.d through
10.7.d; or
10.1.c.4.C. A candidate
who holds a Non-Transferrable Professional Teaching Certificate may convert
upon application to a Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate once the
candidate has completed 10 years of full-time experience in a West Virginia
public school or in a non-public school that has been accredited through the
WVBE-approved accreditation agency as per prescribed in Policy 2330.
10.1.d. Provisional
Alternative Certificate.
10.1.d.1. General
Criteria. A Provisional Alternative Certificate may be issued to a person who
has completed and met all requirements of:
a)
a West Virginia County Alternative Certification Program for the Education of
Teachers pursuant to Policy 5901and has received an offer of employment from a
county board of education and has held an Alternative Teaching Certificate for
a minimum of one school year. Provisional Alternative Certificates shall be
endorsed to indicate the specialization(s) and grade levels, identified in
Appendix A, in which the holder can be legally assigned within the public
schools and endorsed in eligible endorsements as per WVBE-approved alternative
programs. The Provisional Alternative Certificate is
non-transferable.
10.1.d.2. Conditions for Issuance. The
candidate for the Provisional Alternative Certificate must submit evidence of
completing criteria described in section 9, meet WVBE testing requirements as
listed in section 10.1.e, and must obtain recommendation from the employing
county superintendent.
10.1.d.3.
Validity Period. The Provisional Alternative Certificate shall be valid for one
school year, shall expire on June 30 of the school year in which it is issued,
and may be renewed twice. An educator who completed the West Virginia
Alternative Certification Program for the Education of Teachers in December or
whose Provisional Certificate is effective on or after January 1 may be issued
a Provisional Alternative Certificate valid until June 30 of the following
school year.
10.1.d.4. Renewal of
Provisional Alternative Certificate. The application for renewal must be
submitted after January 1 of the year in which the certificate expires. The
candidate for licensure must submit evidence of current employment in a West
Virginia county school, satisfactory evaluations pursuant to W. Va. Code §
18A-2-12, and the recommendation
of the superintendent of the county where the candidate is employed.
10.1.d.5. Conversion of a Provisional
Alternative Professional Certificate to an Initial Professional Teaching
Certificate. To convert a Provisional Alternative Professional Certificate to
an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate, candidates must submit evidence
of completing the following criteria:
10.1.d.5.A. Beginning Educator
Internship/Induction. Successful completion of a Beginning Educator
Internship/Induction (W. Va. Code §
18A-3C-3) for classroom teachers
or qualifies for exemption as stated in section 9.5; and
10.1.d.5.B. Coursework. Six semester hours
with a minimum of 3.00 GPA of appropriate college/university coursework or
WVLearns coursework through the WVDE and related to the public school program
as defined in section 9.10.g and must have been completed subsequent to the
issuance of the initial Provisional Alternative Professional Certificate to be
converted and within the last five years, or hold an MA+30 or reached the age
of 60; and
10.1.d.5.C. Experience.
One year on the Alternative Teaching Certificate and Two years of full-time
teaching experience under the Provisional Alternative Professional Certificate
and in one or more area(s) of endorsement on such certificate in West Virginia;
and
10.1.d.5.D. Successful
Evaluations. Successful evaluations for each year taught under the Provisional
Alternative Professional Certificate within the West Virginia Educator
Evaluation System, and with an earned performance rating of Emerging or above;
and recommendation of the employing county superintendent, multi-county CTE
administrator, or West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition (WVSDT)
Superintendent or designee.
10.1.d.5.E. After January 1 of the year in
which the certificate expires, and the candidate has met the WVBE-approved
Teacher Performance Assessment per Policy 5100, a candidate may be eligible for
a Five-Year Professional Teaching Certificate.
10.1.e. Initial Professional Teaching
Certificate.
10.1.e.1. General Criteria. An
Initial Professional Teaching Certificate may be issued to a person who has the
minimum of a BA or an MA as specified in Appendix A through an accredited IHE;
the general requirements specified in section 9; the minimum GPA specified in
section 9.11 and who has completed the requirements listed in section 10.1.c,
or holds a valid out-of-state certificate and has completed a minimum of five
years of successful teaching experience in a public school within the last
seven years in the area for which licensure is being sought and in the state
where the certificate was issued. An Initial Professional Teaching Certificate
may be issued in the teaching specializations identified in Appendix A. The
Initial Professional Teaching Certificate shall be endorsed to indicate the
specialization(s) and grade levels in which the holder can be legally assigned
within the public schools.
10.1.e.2. Conditions for Issuance. The
candidate for an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate must submit evidence
of meeting criteria in section 10.1.c or meet the guidelines for out-of-state
candidates in section 16; or meet the guidelines for conversion of a West
Virginia Alternative Provisional Certificate or Teaching Certificate to an
Initial Professional Teaching Certificate in section 10.1; or hold a valid
certificate from the NBPTS in a specialization comparable to those listed in
Appendix A; and
10.1.e.2.A. WVBE-Adopted
Tests. Unless identified as an exemption in the directory, an educator must
satisfy the minimum proficiency levels or any identified option as indicated in
the directory located on the WVDE website as adopted by the WVBE for the
required Pre-Professional Skills Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics;
and Content Specialization Test(s) for each specialization for which licensure
is requested, if a test is required. All West Virginia Educator Preparation
Programs (EPP) or WVBE-approved program completers must have completed a
WVBE-approved Teacher Performance Assessment as per Policy 5100 or meet the
teacher performance assessment requirements as outlined in the Directory.
10.1.e.2.A.1. Exemptions. A list of
exemptions is included in the directory located on the WVDE website.
10.1.e.2.B. Validity of Test
Scores. The validity period for in-state and out-of-state tests and passing
scores is 10 years from the date on which the candidate passed the examination
if such tests were the tests required in the WVBE policy (or out-of-state
policy if applicable) effective at the time the tests were taken. In those
circumstances where the WVBE has not altered either the required test or the
passing score, the test and score shall remain valid beyond the ten-year period
for initial licensure only. A candidate whose test scores exceed the ten-year
validity period at the time of application for licensure, or where the test or
test scores have changed, is required to satisfy current tests and passing
scores.
10.1.e.2.B.1. Exemption. All passing
scores from previously WVBE-required pre-professional skills exams may be used
beyond the ten-year limit and may be used to satisfy the pre-professional
skills requirement.
10.1.e.2.C. Failure to Apply for Licensure. A
candidate who fails to apply for licensure within 12 months from the completion
of an approved program for licensure is required to satisfy any current and
additional test requirement(s) and program components in effect at the time of
application and to comply with conditions outlined for the validity
period.
10.1.e.3.
Validity Period. The Initial Professional Teaching Certificate shall be valid
for three school years and shall expire on June 30 of the last year of its
validity.
10.1.e.4. Tests Required
for New Specializations on a Professional Certificate. Candidates who qualify
to add a new specialization to their Professional Teaching Certificate are
required to satisfy the content test requirement if a test is required.
Candidates who hold a valid professional certificate are exempt from
pre-professional and professional tests.
10.1.e.5. Renewal of an Initial Professional
Teaching Certificate.
10.1.e.5.A. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.
10.1.f. Professional Five-Year Teaching
Certificate.
10.1.f.1. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.1.f.1.A. Coursework.
Must meet criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.1; and
10.1.f.1.B. Beginning Educator
Internship/Induction. Successful completion of a Beginning Educator
Internship/Induction (W. Va. Code §
18A-3C-3) for classroom teachers,
unless the candidate has completed five years of full-time teaching experience
while holding a valid professional certificate in a public school in another
state or in a non-public school that has been accredited through a
WVBE-approved accreditation agency as prescribed in Policy 2330, or was
initially licensed in West Virginia prior to January 1, 1992; and
10.1.f.1.C. Teaching Experience. Two years of
full-time teaching experience, one of which must be completed in a West
Virginia public school or in a non-public school that has been accredited
through a WVBE-approved accreditation agency as prescribed in Policy 2330,
within one or a combination of the endorsements on the initial professional
certificate; and
10.1.f.1.D.
Teacher Performance Assessment. Must meet requirements listed in section
10.4.a.3.
10.1.f.2.
Validity Period. The Professional Teaching Certificate valid for five years
shall expire on June 30 of the last year of its validity.
10.1.f.3. Renewal of Five-Year Teaching
Certificate.
10.1.f.3.A. Must meet criteria as
indicated in section 10.4.
10.1.g. Permanent Professional Teaching
Certificate.
10.1.g.1. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.1.g.1.A. Hold or be
eligible for the Professional Teaching Certificate valid for five years after
January 1 of the year in which the certificate that has been issued for three
years expires; and hold an MA related to the public school program as defined
in section 9.10.g; and complete five years of educational full-time experience
including two within the specialization(s) for which the permanent certificate
is requested and one year must be completed in a West Virginia public school or
in a non-public school that has been accredited through a WVBE-approved
accreditation agency as prescribed in Policy 2330; or
10.1.g.1.B. Hold a valid Professional
Teaching Certificate issued for five years; or hold a five-year Professional
Teaching Certificate that has been renewed one time for the full five-year
period; and six semester hours of appropriate renewal credit reflecting a 3.00
GPA or eligible WVDE WVLearns coursework; or a minimum of an MA+30 salary
classification based on the awarding of an MA; or age 60; and complete five
years of educational full-time experience including two within the
specialization(s) for which the permanent certificate is requested and one year
must be completed in a West Virginia public school or in a non-public school
that has been accredited through a WVBE-approved accreditation agency as
prescribed in Policy 2330; or
10.1.g.1.B.1.
Candidates who obtain certification through NBPTS may apply for a permanent
certification at any time once the NBPTS is reflected on the professional
teaching certificate; or
10.1.g.1.C. Hold a valid out-of-state
certificate that reflects permanent status by the issuing state, verification
of a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience in the endorsement
area(s) listed on the valid certificate and in a public school setting, and
which is verified by the appropriate licensing agency or system (refer to
section 16.2); and
10.1.g.1.D.
Recommendation. Must meet criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.4.
10.1.g.2. Validity Period. The
Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate shall remain valid unless
surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
10.2. Professional Administrative Certificate.
10.2.a. Provisional
Administrative Certificate.
10.2.a.1. General
Criteria. A Provisional Administrative Certificate may be issued to a person
who has completed: the minimum degree specified in Appendix A through an
accredited IHE or an equivalent degree through an IHE in a foreign country or
holds a valid out-of-state certificate; the general requirements specified in
section 9; the minimum GPA specified in section 9.11; and three years of valid
administrative/management level experience as defined in section 4 or teaching
experience. The Provisional Administrative Certificate shall be endorsed for
Superintendent, Principal, and/or General Supervisor of Instruction and shall
indicate the specialization(s) and grade levels in which the holder may be
assigned within the public schools. Experience gained on the Provisional
Administrative Certificate may be used for conversion purposes.
10.2.a.1.A. An individual holding a
Provisional Administrative Certificate may be employed as an administrator in a
West Virginia public school and may perform observations with the online
Initial ELI but is unable to perform evaluations until the educator holds an
Initial Professional Administrative Certificate.
10.2.a.2. Validity Period. The Provisional
Administrative Certificate shall be valid for five school years and shall
expire on June 30 of the last day of its validity.
10.2.a.3. Renewal of a Provisional
Administrative Certificate.
10.2.a.3.A. Must
meet criteria as indicated in section 10.4.
10.2.b. Initial Professional Administrative
Certificate.
10.2.b.1. General Criteria. An
Initial Professional Administrative Certificate may be issued to a person who
has completed: the minimum degree specified in Appendix A through an accredited
IHE; the general requirements specified in section 9; the minimum GPA specified
in section 9.11; three years of valid administrative/management level as
defined in section 4 or teaching experience; the Comprehensive Educator
Leadership Institute (ELI) in evaluation skills offered through WVDE or
equivalent training approved by the WVBE; and employment as an Administrator,
Supervisor of Instruction, or Superintendent in a West Virginia county board of
education within 90 days of employment, and the conditions for issuance
identified in section 10.2.b.2. The Initial Professional Administrative
Certificate shall be endorsed for Superintendent, Principal, and/or Supervisor
General Instruction and shall indicate the specialization(s) and grade levels
in which the holder can be legally assigned within the public
schools.
10.2.b.2. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.2.b.2.A.
State-Approved Program. Successful completion of an IHE's state-approved
educational leadership program and the recommendation of the designated
official at the IHE through which the program was completed; or
10.2.b.2.B. Out-of-State Licensure. For those
educators who hold a valid out-of-state Administrative Certificate, the
candidate needs only to present official transcripts reflecting required a
master's degree from a regionally accredited IHE and a copy of the educator's
valid out-of-state Administrative Certificate to be licensed, or present a
letter of eligibility from the other state's licensing agency in-lieu-of the
IHE recommendation provided that the educator has completed the ELI and three
years of valid administrative/management level as defined in section 4 or
teaching experience and hold or be eligible to hold a West Virginia
Professional Teaching Certificate and present official transcripts reflecting
required a master's degree from a regionally accredited IHE. The out-of-state
Administrative Certificate must be in the specialization for which West
Virginia licensure is available and requested (refer to section 16 for more
information on out-of-state certification); or
10.2.b.2.C. Out-of-State Graduate Not
Licensed. In addition to the general criteria in section 10.2.a.1, the educator
must satisfy the minimum proficiency level, as adopted by the WVBE, on the
content specialization test in educational leadership unless the candidate
meets one of the exemptions specified in section 10.1.e. Required scores are
identified in the directory located on the WVDE website.
10.2.b.3. Validity Period. The Initial
Professional Administrative Certificate shall be valid for five school years
and shall expire on June 30 of the last year of its validity.
10.2.b.4. Renewal of Professional
Administrative Certificate.
10.2.b.4.A. Must
meet criteria as indicated in section 10.4.
10.2.c. Permanent Professional Administrative
Certificate.
10.2.c.1. Conditions for
Issuance. In order to convert the Initial Professional Administrative
Certificate to the Permanent Professional Administrative Certificate, the
candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following
criteria:
10.2.c.1.A. Five years of
educational experience, two years of which must be in any or a combination of
the specializations reflected on the Professional Administrative Certificate,
and one year of which must be completed in a West Virginia public school or in
a non-public school that has been accredited through a WVBE-approved
accreditation agency as prescribed in Policy 2330; or
10.2.c.1.A.1. Any candidate for
superintendent, assistant superintendent, or associate superintendent who
possesses an earned doctorate from an accredited institution of higher
education and either has completed three successful years of teaching in public
education or has the equivalent of three years of valid
administrative/management experience or supervision as defined in section 4 of
this policy, after employment by the county board of education and completion
of the face-to-face Evaluation Leadership Institute shall be granted a
permanent administrative certificate and shall be a licensed county
superintendent; and
10.2.c.1.B. Recommendation. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.4.
10.2.c.2. Validity Period. The Permanent
Professional Administrative Certificate shall remain valid unless surrendered,
suspended, or revoked.
10.3. Professional Student Support Certificate.
10.3.a. Professional Student
Support Certificate.
10.3.a.1. General
Criteria. A Professional Student Support Certificate may be issued to a person
who has completed and met all requirements of a state-approved educator
preparation program or has satisfied the requirements of W. Va. Code
§18A-3-2a. Out-of-state candidates must meet the requirements in section
16 of this policy. The Professional Student Support Certificate shall be
endorsed to indicate the specialization(s) and grade levels, identified in
Appendix A, in which the holder can be legally assigned within the public
schools.
10.3.a.1.A. School Counselor. A
Professional Student Support Certificate is issued for School Counselor to a
candidate who meets the following criteria: MA in Counseling from an accredited
IHE; and successful completion of an accredited School Counseling Program; or
holds a valid out-of-state certificate endorsed in school counseling, and holds
an MA in Counseling from an accredited IHE.
10.3.a.1.B. School Nurse. A Professional
Student Support Certificate is issued for School Nurse to a candidate who meets
the following criteria: BA or MA in nursing from an accredited IHE, holds a
valid Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the West Virginia Registered
Nurse Board with review and approval of disciplinary action or holds a valid
Multi-State Registered Nurse (RN) license from a compact state, and
successfully completed an accredited School Nursing Program, holds a valid
national certificate in school nursing from the National Board of Certification
of School Nurses (NBCSN), or holds a valid national certification in an area
recognized by WVDE for school nurses that includes but is not limited to:
school nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, family nurse
practitioner, clinical specialist in community health nursing, clinical
specialist in child and adolescent psychiatric and mental health nursing, or
advanced nursing administration.
10.3.a.1.B.1. Exceptions.
10.3.a.1.B.1.(a). A School Nurse who obtained
NBCSN certification prior to a BA being required may hold an AA to meet the
degree requirement in section 9, or a School Nurse who is employed on a
Full-Time/First Class Permit (refer to section 11), is not required to have a
minimum of a BA for issuance of the original Permit. Evidence of a valid RN
license issued by the West Virginia Registered Nurse Board is required with
review and approval of disciplinary action.
10.3.a.1.B.1.(b). A School Nurse who is
employed on a Full-Time/First Class Permit (refer to section 11.2) after July 1
is only required to have a minimum of three semester hours of coursework during
the first year of the permit's issuance.
10.3.a.1.C. School Psychologist. A
Professional Student Support Certificate is issued for School Psychologist to a
candidate who meets the following criteria: completion of an approved School
Psychologist MA program from an accredited IHE or an equivalent degree as
determined by the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
10.3.a.1.D. Speech Language Pathologist
(SLP). A Professional Student Support Certificate is issued for SLP to a
candidate who meets the following criteria: completion of an approved SLP MA
program from an accredited IHE.
10.3.a.1.D.1.
Exceptions.
10.3.a.1.D.1.(a). SLPs without a
certificate issued to practice in a public school setting must obtain a
verification from the IHE where the SLP preparation program was completed (MA);
obtain verification of completion of a practicum/clinical experience in the
pre-kindergarten (pre-k)-12 setting; provide a copy of the valid SLP
certificate from a state agency that issued the SLP certificate; hold a valid
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Pathology and Audiology license;
hold valid national certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA); submit official seal bearing transcripts reflecting all
degrees earned, submit passing scores on current Praxis exam as outlined in the
directory, or meets the criteria in section 10.3.a.1.D.1(a).(2); and complete a
West Virginia State Police and FBI background check pursuant to W. Va. Code
§
18A-3-10 and section 9.
10.3.a.1.D.1.(a).(1). Required Exam.
Candidates who hold valid national certification by ASHA who took the Praxis
exam required by ASHA at the time the national certification was obtained are
exempt from meeting the required WVBE exam effective in the directory at the
time of application.
10.3.a.1.D.1.(a).(2). Candidates without
pre-k-12 practicum/clinical experience. A Professional Provisional Student
Support Certificate for SLP may be issued to a candidate who has completed all
the requirements as outlined in section 10.3.a except verification of
completion of a practicum/clinical experience in the pre-k-12 setting. In lieu
of practicum/clinical experience, candidates must provide verification of a
minimum of one year of experience working with pre-k-12-age students in the
state that issued the SLP license.
10.3.a.1.D.1.(b). Validity Period. The
Provisional Student Support Certificate shall be valid for one school year and
shall expire on June 30 of that school year. An educator who graduates in
December or whose Provisional Certificate is effective on or after January 1
may be issued a Provisional Certificate valid until June 30 of the following
school year. The Provisional Certificate is valid for a period of one year and
may not be renewed.
10.3.a.1.D.1.(c). Conversion of a Provisional
Student Support Certificate to a Professional Student Support Certificate.
Candidates must provide evidence of a minimum of one year of full-time or
contracted services experience working in a West Virginia public school as an
SLP with successful evaluations.
10.3.a.1.E. Attendance Director. A
professional Student Support Certificate is issued for Attendance Director to a
candidate who meets the following criteria: completion of an approved Social
Services and Attendance program from an accredited IHE.
10.3.a.2. Validity Period. The Professional
Student Support Certificate shall be valid for three school years and shall
expire on June 30 of the last year of its validity.
10.3.a.3. Renewal of Professional Student
Support Certificate.
10.3.a.3.A. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.
10.3.a.3.B. Exceptions.
10.3.a.3.B.1. School Nurse candidates with an
expired certificate and with an offer of employment who have been working in
the nursing field for the previous academic year may receive a one-year
authorization to meet the requirements for renewal of the Professional Student
Support Certificate with verification from the entity where the candidate was
employed in a nursing capacity.
10.3.b. Professional Five-Year Student
Support Certificate.
10.3.b.1. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.3.b.1.A. Coursework.
Must meet criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.1.; and
10.3.b.1.B. Experience. Two years of
full-time experience, one of which must be completed in West Virginia within
one or a combination of the endorsements on the Professional Student Support
Certificate.
10.3.b.2.
Validity Period. The Professional Student Support Certificate valid for five
years shall expire on June 30 of the last year of its validity.
10.3.b.3. Renewal of Five-Year Student
Support Certificate.
10.3.b.3.A. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.
10.3.c. Permanent Professional Student
Support Certificate.
10.3.c.1. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.3.c.1.A. Hold or be
eligible for the Professional Student Support Certificate valid for five years;
and hold a master's degree related to the public school program as defined in
section 9.10.g; and complete five years of educational full-time experience
including two within the specialization(s) with one year in a public school in
West Virginia or in a non-public school that has been accredited through a
WVBE-approved accreditation agency as prescribed in Policy 2330 for which the
permanent certificate is requested; or
10.3.c.1.B. Out-of-State Candidates (refer to
section 16 for criteria); or
10.3.c.1.C. Hold a Professional Student
Support Certificate valid for five years; and
10.3.c.1.C.1. One Renewal. Renew the
Professional Five-Year Student Support Certificate once, based on criteria as
indicated in section 10.4.
10.3.c.2. Validity Period. The Permanent
Professional Student Support Certificate shall remain valid unless surrendered,
suspended, or revoked.
10.4. Renewal of a Professional Certificate.
10.4.a. General Criteria. The application for
renewal must be submitted after January 1 of the year in which the certificate
expires. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria:
10.4.a.1. Coursework. For
a renewed certificate valid for three or five years as applicable:
10.4.a.1.A. Six semester hours of eligible
college/university coursework related to the public school program as defined
in section 9.10.g reflecting a minimum of a 3.00 GPA, or relevant to a master's
degree in a curriculum related to the public school program, or related to
improvement of instruction and the candidate's current endorsement area(s),
needed to qualify for an additional endorsement, or credit prescribed by the
county as a result of a candidate's evaluation; or
10.4.a.1.B. WVDE WVLearns courses related to
the public school program; and
10.4.a.1.C. All coursework must have been
completed subsequent to the issuance of the certificate being renewed and
within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application. WVDE
WVLearns certificates are not eligible for advanced salary classification;
or
10.4.a.1.D. Hold a minimum of an
MA+30 salary classification based on the awarding of a MA; or has reached 60
years of age and presents a copy of the birth certificate or official
government-issued documentation.
10.4.a.2. Coursework. For a renewed
certificate valid for one year:
10.4.a.2.A.
Three semester hours of eligible college/university coursework related to the
public school program as defined in section 9.10.g reflecting a minimum of a
3.00 GPA, or relevant to a master's degree in a curriculum related to the
public school program, or related to improvement of instruction and the
applicant's current endorsement area(s), needed to qualify for an additional
endorsement, or credit prescribed by the county as a result of a candidate's
evaluation; or
10.4.a.2.B. Eligible
WVDE WVLearns course related to the public school program; and
10.4.a.2.C. All coursework must have been
completed subsequent to the issuance of the certificate being renewed and
within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application. WVDE
WVLearns certificates are not eligible for advanced salary
classification.
10.4.a.3. Successfully completed a
WVBE-approved Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA), or five years of full-time
out-of-state teaching experience.
10.4.a.3.A.
Exception. Student Support and Administrative credentials are exempt from the
TPA Requirement and any teacher with a West Virginia professional teaching
certificate initially issued prior to November 15, 2021; and
10.4.a.4. Recommendation. If the
candidate is currently employed by a county board of education, multi-county
CTE center, or WVSDT, the candidate must receive the recommendation of the
employing county superintendent. If the educator is not employed by a county
board of education, then the educator must secure a recommendation from the
educator's most recent employer provided that such employment severance does
not exceed one year. If employment severance in an educational setting is
greater than one year, the candidate must submit a recommendation from the
current employer or community leader.
10.5. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificate.
10.5.a. Temporary CTE
Certificate.
10.5.a.1. General Criteria. A
non-renewable Temporary CTE Certificate may be issued to an educator who holds
a valid out-of-state CTE Certificate and has been offered employment and is
seeking West Virginia licensure, provided the educator meets the general
criteria for the Initial CTE certificate as specified in section 10.5.b with
the exception of the required industry recognized credentials and/or passing
scores on required tests. A non-renewable Temporary CTE Certificate may be
issued to an educator who holds a valid West Virginia Professional Teaching
Certificate and has been offered employment, provided the educator meets the
general criteria for the Initial CTE certificate as specified in section 9 with
the exception of passing scores on the required NOCTI exam(s). To upgrade this
certificate to the CTE Certificate, the educator must acquire the required
industry recognized credentials, pass all required tests, and apply for initial
licensure.
10.5.a.2. Validity
Period. The Temporary CTE Certificate valid for one year shall expire on June
30 of the year of its validity.
10.5.b. Initial CTE Certificate.
10.5.b.1. General Criteria. An Initial CTE
Certificate may be issued to a person who holds a high school diploma,
state-approved high school equivalency, or a degree, as prescribed by the West
Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual, through an accredited IHE; and has
completed: the general requirements specified in section 10.5.a.1; the work and
training experience specified in the West Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing
Manual maintained on the WVDE website; the tests specified in the West Virginia
CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE website; and the
appropriate eligible requirements identified in section 9. A CTE Certificate
may be issued in the CTE specializations identified in the West Virginia CTE
Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE website. The CTE
Certificate shall be endorsed to indicate the specialization(s) and grade
levels in which the holder can be legally assigned within the public
schools.
10.5.b.2. Conditions for
Issuance. The candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the
following criteria: successful completion of state-approved CTE preparation
program with a minimum 2.50 GPA and the recommendation of the designated
official at the IHE through which the program was completed; or a valid West
Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate with verification of the required
years of work experience by the current or former employer(s) as defined in the
West Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE
website; or a valid out-of-state CTE Certificate in the specialization(s) for
which West Virginia licensure is requested and three years of successful
out-of-state experience as an educator within the seven years immediately
preceding the date of application; and
10.5.b.2.A. Industry Recognized Credentials.
For each CTE area of specialization, the alternatively certified teacher hired
after June 18, 2003, must: hold and maintain the industry recognized credential
when such credential exists; and attain additional certification or
endorsements required by the credentialing agency for the program of study in
which the alternatively certified teacher is currently teaching (refer to the
West Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE
website); and passage of the written and performance sections of the content
specialization tests identified in the West Virginia CTE Endorsement and
Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE website, if applicable; and
10.5.b.2.B. Recommendation. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.4.
10.5.b.3. Validity Period. The CTE
Certificate shall be valid for no more than five years and shall expire on June
30 of the last year of its validity.
10.5.b.4. Additional Endorsements for
Existing Career Technical Education (CTE) Certificates. An individual who
already holds a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate endorsed as identified in
the West Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained on the WVDE
website may add another endorsement by verifying the appropriate wage-earning
work experience, passing required state exam(s) for the endorsement sought, and
holding valid industry credential(s), if applicable.
10.5.b.5. Renewal of the CTE Certificate. The
candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following
criteria:
10.5.b.5.A. Coursework. Six semester
hours of appropriate college/university coursework reflecting a 3.00 GPA
related to the public school program, as defined in section 9.10.g, or WVLearns
courses through the WVDE. The coursework must have been completed subsequent to
the issuance of the certificate being renewed and within the five-year period
immediately preceding the date of application; or hold a minimum of an MA and a
minimum of a salary classification (professional or CTE) of an MA+30; or has
reached 60 years of age and presents a copy of the birth certificate or
official government issued documentation; and
10.5.b.5.B. Industry Recognized Credentials.
A valid industry credential is required for renewal of the CTE Certificate as
prescribed by the West Virginia CTE Endorsement and Testing Manual maintained
on the WVDE website; and
10.5.b.5.C. Recommendation. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.4.
10.5.c. Permanent CTE Certificate.
10.5.c.1. Conditions for Issuance. The
candidate for licensure must submit evidence of completing the following
criteria:
10.5.c.1.A. Hold or be eligible for
the CTE Certificate valid for five years; and
10.5.c.1.A.1. Hold an earned MA related to
the public school program as defined in section 9.10.g; and
10.5.c.1.A.2. Complete five years of
professional educational experience including two within the specialization(s)
for which the permanent certificate is requested; or
10.5.c.1.B. Hold a CTE Certificate valid for
five years; and
10.5.c.1.B.1. Renew the CTE
Certificate valid for five years once based on criteria as indicated in section
10.5.b.4.A; and
10.5.c.1.C. Recommendation. Must meet
criteria as indicated in section 10.4.a.4.
10.5.c.2. Validity Period. The Permanent CTE
Certificate shall remain valid unless surrendered, suspended, or
revoked.
10.6. Other Certificates.
10.6.a. Professional Business Official
Certificate.
10.6.a.1. General Criteria. A
Professional Business Official Certificate may be issued to an individual
employed for a specific assignment who has completed a minimum of a BA through
an accredited IHE; the general requirements specified in section 9; the minimum
GPA specified in section 9.11; and the conditions for issuance specified in
section 10.6.a.2.
10.6.a.2.
Conditions for Issuance. The candidate for the Professional Business Official
Certificate must submit evidence of the following: holds a minimum of a BA
including 24 semester hours of coursework in accounting completed with a
minimum of 2.50 GPA; and receive the recommendation of the county
superintendent verifying that the candidate is the most qualified candidate for
the position.
10.6.a.3. Validity
Period. The Professional Business Official Certificate shall be valid for a
period of three years and shall expire on June 30 of the last year of its
validity.
10.6.a.4. Renewal. The
candidate for licensure must provide evidence of satisfying the following:
complete 15 clock hours annually of professional learning activities with
credit offered or approved by the WVDE for a total of 45 hours at the time of
renewal unless otherwise approved by the WVDE; and receive the recommendation
of the employing county superintendent in the county in which the candidate is
or was employed.
10.6.b.
Professional Accountant Certificate.
10.6.b.1.
General Criteria. A Professional Accountant Certificate may be issued to an
individual employed for a specific assignment who has completed a minimum of a
BA through an accredited IHE; the general requirements specified in section 9;
the minimum GPA specified in section 9.11; and the conditions for issuance
specified in section 10.6.b.2.
10.6.b.2. Conditions for Issuance. The
candidate for the Professional Accountant Certificate must submit evidence of
the following: holds a minimum of a BA including 24 semester hours of
coursework in accounting completed with a minimum of 2.50 GPA; and receive the
recommendation of the county superintendent verifying that the candidate is the
most qualified candidate for the position.
10.6.b.3. Validity Period. The Professional
Accountant Certificate shall be valid for a period of three years and shall
expire on June 30 of the last year of its validity.
10.6.b.4. Renewal. The candidate for
licensure must provide evidence of satisfying the following: complete six clock
hours annually of professional learning activities with credit offered or
approved by the WVDE for a total of 18 hours at the time of renewal unless
otherwise approved by the WVDE; and receive the recommendation of the employing
county superintendent in the county in which the candidate is or was
employed.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. West Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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