TITLE

Provisional Licensure

HISTORY

Available since 1982 (existed since the 1960s; however, Provisional License established in 1982 with amendments to licensure regulations).

MOTIVATION

Issued to an individual who has not yet met all professional studies, specific endorsement area course requirements, and/or the professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Board of Education.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

PreK-12.

WHO OPERATES

State.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

The individual must satisfy one or more specific endorsement area requirements.

Beginning teachers in Virginia are required to satisfy the professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Board of Education, unless exempted by prior teaching experience (a minimum of two years of full-time, successful teaching experience in an accredited public or non-public school at the K-12 level, outside the state of Virginia).

The Provisional License is a three-year, non-renewable license available to individuals who are employed by a Virginia educational agency and are:

a. Entering the teaching field through the alternative route to licensure upon recommendation of the employing educational agency;

b. Failing to meet an allowable portion of general, professional, or specific endorsement requirements;

c. Seeking the Technical Professional License; or

d. Eligible for licensure but need to complete successfully the professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Board of Education.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The individual must satisfy all professional studies education requirements, specific endorsement area requirements, and the professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Board of Education during the three-year period of validity.

An applicant for licensure shall have completed a minimum of 15 to 18 semester hours of professional studies coursework, as specified below:

Early/primary education, elementary education, and middle education – 18 semester hours;

Special education – 18 semester hours;

Adult education, PreK-12 endorsements, and secondary grades 6-12 endorsements – 15 semester hours.

 

NO. OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

A minimum of 15-18 semester hours of professional education coursework and specific endorsement area course requirements.

WHO EVALUATES

State.

LENGTH OF TIME

Provisional License issued for three years.