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 126-136-16 - Out-of-State Candidates

Universal Citation: 126 WV Code of State Rules 126-136-16

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024

16.1. Interstate Agreement for Qualifications of Educational Personnel. West Virginia is a member of the NASDTEC, that promotes the mobility of educators across state and national lines utilizing consistent standards for certification and education personnel. Although West Virginia participates in this interstate agreement, specific requirements for granting certification to out-of-state candidates are outlined in section 16.2 and section 16.3 in accordance with W. Va. Code § 18A-3-1(b). W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(1) provides for certification of a candidate who: meets equivalent standards at IHEs in other states; and who has passed appropriate WVBE-approved basic skills and subject-matter tests; or has completed three years of successful full-time experience in a public school within the last seven years in the area for which licensure is being sought; or has completed the WVBE-approved alternative route to certification described in section 15.

16.2. Recognition of Out-of-State Certificates. West Virginia will issue a Professional Teaching, Administrative, or Student Support Certificate to an eligible candidate who holds: a valid out-of-state certificate equivalent to the Professional Teaching, Administrative, or Professional Certificate of eligibility issued by another state and meets all of the requirements of that state for full certification except employment; and who has graduated from an approved teacher education program at a regionally accredited IHE or educator preparation provider (EPP) approved in the licensing state; and for whom the WVDE has received approval based on a criminal history record check conducted by the West Virginia State Police and the FBI as required by W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10 and section 9.2 (for individuals who hold a valid Out-of-State certificate in the area of CTE, refer to the requirements for the CTE Certificate in section 10). Eligible candidates who meet the requirements as identified in section 10.1.d.5 except coursework or 10.1.e may be issued an initial Professional Teaching Certificate.

16.2.a. Exception. Candidates who are licensed in another state may use five years of full-time teaching experience in one or more area(s) of endorsement on such certificate. Candidates who successfully completed a nationally-normed TPA adopted by the licensing state may be exempt from the TPA requirement for conversion in section 10.1.b.5.A.

16.3. Application for West Virginia Certification with a Valid Out-of-State Certificate. A copy of the valid Out-of-State Certificate must be submitted with the appropriate application to ensure accurate interpretation of the Out-of-State Certificate. West Virginia will grant candidates any endorsement listed on the valid Out-of-State Certificate that is currently offered by the State of West Virginia. If the valid Out-of-State Certificate lists any endorsement(s) not currently offered by the State of West Virginia, the candidate may secure official documentation from the state in which the valid certification was issued that identifies those endorsement areas, if any, in which the candidate would be certified to teach in the issuing state. This documentation may be used to grant certification to teach in endorsement areas for which West Virginia currently grants certification.

16.3.a. Exception. Speech Language Pathologists who are licensed in a state where the agency or licensing board responsible for issuing certificates to work in the public schools of that state no longer issue Speech Language Pathologists licensure may apply for a West Virginia Student Support Certificate provided the individual meets the following: holds a certificate recognized by the issuing state's licensing board or agency allowing the individual to work in a public school of that state; and meets the requirements as outlined in section 10.

16.4. Expiration Dates of Certification Granted to Candidates Based on Valid, Out-of-State Certification.

16.4.a. Candidates with a valid Out-of-State Teacher Certificate will be granted a Professional Teaching Certificate valid for a period of three years. The Professional Teaching Certificate is renewable subject to the requirements listed in section 10.

16.4.b. Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate. If the valid Out-of-State Certificate is listed as permanent by the issuing state and the candidate verifies a minimum of five years of full-time experience in the endorsements area(s) listed on the valid certificate, West Virginia will grant the candidate a Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the licensure application process.

16.4.c. Provisional Administrative Certificate. Persons applying for the Administrative Certificate endorsed for school principal, supervisor of instruction, and/or superintendent based on an accredited educational leadership program, or a valid Out-of-State Administrative Certificate will be granted a renewable Provisional Administrative Certificate valid for five-years. Upon employment as an administrator in a West Virginia public school and completion of the ELI as required by W. Va. Code § 18A-3A-3, the candidate will be issued a Professional Administrative Certificate valid for five years upon application. An individual holding a Provisional Administrative Certificate may be employed as an administrator in a West Virginia public school but is unable to perform evaluation until the candidate holds an Initial Administrative Certification with the completion of the ELI.

16.4.d. Permanent Administrative Certificate. Persons who hold permanent administrative certification on a valid out-of-state certification will be granted a West Virginia Provisional Administrative Certificate and upon employment in an administrative role and completion of the comprehensive ELI and verification of five years of experience covered by a valid certificate.

16.5. Issuance of a West Virginia Professional Certificate based on a Valid, Out-of-State Certificate. Persons holding a valid Out-of-State Certificate may only use the Out-of-State Certificate once for the issuance of a West Virginia certificate.

16.6. Military Spouse. A temporary teaching certificate or eligible permit for an armed forces spouse may be issued to an individual who meets the following criteria; is married to a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty; or holds a current unencumbered teaching certificate, license or permit issued by an equivalent credentialing department, board, or authority in another state, territory, or protectorate of the United States.

16.6.a. Conditions of issuance. Applicant must submit documentation that the spouse is assigned to a duty station in West Virginia or at a military installation within 50 air miles of the West Virginia border, is offered employment in a West Virginia public school, holds a minimum of a four-year degree from an accredited institution, holds a valid credential from another state, and completes and must complete a West Virginia State Police and FBI criminal history record check as required by W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10. The candidate may be issued an equivalent credential if one exists.

16.6.b. Validity Period. The credential shall be valid as per the allowable validity period of the issued credential and adhere to the renewal requirements of the specific credential as stated within this policy.

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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.