Become a Teacher

Endorsement Requirements

Endorsement course requirements relate to the specific content area you are interested in teaching. Endorsement course requirements are typically met through a person's undergraduate degree, but if there are any courses you are missing from this category, you can take these at any accredited college or university. 

Final licensure requirements are determined and approved by the Virginia Department of Education. Please partner with your district HR/licensure expert as you move forward with your next steps.

For information on the many areas of endorsement you can pursue, and guidance on the endorsement, reach out to the contact at the bottom of this page.

Professional Studies Requirements

Professional studies coursework relates to the more pedagogical aspects of the teaching license. The requirements will vary depending on the specific endorsement you are seeking. UVA provides these courses online for various endorsement areas.

Professional Teacher's Assessments and Statutory Rrequirements

Refer to the VDOE’s webpage describing the assessments for the specific endorsement areas.

Apart from completing the coursework and assessment requirements above, below is a list of other mandatory requirements needed to obtain the 10-year professional, renewable teacher's license:

• Complete an Online Module in Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention
• Emergency First Aid Training
• Complete the VDOE Dyslexia Training Module
• Complete the Restrait and Seclusion Module
• Complete the Virginia History or State and Local Government Module (if you are going to teach early childhood, elementary, middle or high school civics, economics, history, or government)
• Complete these Cultural Competency Modules:
  • VDOE IEP Training
  • Building More Inclusive Classrooms

Field Experience Requirements

In a traditional teacher education program, there are multiple field experiences, including a “student teaching” period. Those seeking licensure through the alternative route must complete one year of full-time teaching (in their specific endorsement area) in an accredited Virginia public or nonpublic school. The hiring institution will apply for a 3-year, non-renewable provisional license on your behalf; you then have those three years to complete any unmet licensure requirements. You do not need to have fulfilled all other requirements before doing your field experience.