West Virginia Certification Renewal:

There are three levels of teacher certification apart from the alternative certification.

The Initial or Provisional West Virginia Teaching Certification which is valid for 3 years.

The Professional Certification which is valid for 5 years. And the Permanent Certification which is indefinite.

The following are requirements and steps for renewal of your certification, advancement of one certification level to another and also advancement of salary levels due to the acquiring of an advanced degree.
  • Initial or Provisional Certification Renewal:
  • Complete the renewal application (Form 4)

    You must complete at least 6 semester hours of coursework. The following are 4 options for completing this coursework:
    • courses required in a program leading to a master's degree
    • courses related to the improvement of instruction and your own professional development
    • courses needed for an additional endorsement
    • courses prescribed by your superintendent based on your annual evaluation
    • Submit a processing fee of $15 by check or money order made payable to the "West Virginia Department of Education"

  • Convert an Initial Certification to a Professional Certification:
  • By converting your Initial Certification to a Professional Certification, your license will then be valid for 5 years.

    The following are requirements for advancing your certification:
    • Hold an Initial Certification.
    • Meet all renewal requirements as stated above.
    • Complete your teacher internship
    • Complete at least 2 years of teaching experience (at least 1 year must be in West Virginia)
    • Receive a recommendation for certification advancement from your employer
    • Submit a processing fee of $15 by check or money order made payable to the "West Virginia Department of Education"

  • Professional Certification Renewal:
  • Requirements are the same as Initial Certification Renewal as stated above.

  • Convert a Professional Certification to a Permanent Certification:
  • There are two avenues to converting your professional certification to a permanent certification.

    Avenue 1:
    • Be eligible to hold or currently hold a Professional Teaching Certification
    • Currently hold a Master's Degree
    • Successfully complete 5 years of teaching experience
    • Receive a recommendation for certification from your district supervisor
    • Submit Form 4 along with $15 fee by check or money order made payable to the "West Virginia Department of Education"

    Avenue 2:
    • Complete 2 renewals of a professional certification.
    • Receive the recommendation of your West Virginia district Supervisor.
    • Submit Form 4 along with $15 fee by check or money order made payable to the "West Virginia Department of Education"

    Have materials sent to this address:
    West Virginia Department of Education
    Office of Professional Preparation
    Building 6, Room 252
    1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
    Charleston, West Virginia 25305

    Or contact the West Virginia Licensing Office by phone at (304) 558-7010

  • West Virginia Salary Advancement:
  • Enroll in a Master's degree program or doctorate degree program and then complete Form 12 from the West Virginia Department of Education website as you accumulate courswork credit and you will qualify for salary increases.

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.




Article of the Month
First year trials...

Do you remember walking through the front doors of your school on your first day as a teacher? Well, I sure do. A few teenagers were strolling the halls, but most hadn’t arrived yet. Eager with anticipation, I hardly slept a wink... Read More...


Teacher Supplies | Teacher Lesson Plans | Teacher Education | Become a Substitute Teacher | Teacher Articles
Elementary Teacher Education | Secondary Teacher Education | Early Childhood Education | Special Education
Technology Education | Administrator Education | Teaching Associates Degree
Teaching Bachelors Degree | Teaching Masters Degree | Teaching Doctorate (EdD)
Home | Contact Us | Resource Directory