Summary of Application Requirements

Review WVBE Policy 5202 and Certifications for complete requirements

Initial Application

  • Application Fee: $35
  • Payment link: https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certportal/
  • Validity Period: 3 years
  • General Requirements: US Citizen or hold eligible documentation (see WVBE Policy 5202); Good character; age 18; physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified.
  • Education Level: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (Regionally accredited IHE)
  • Grade Point Average: Minimum Overall Cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Coursework/Training:
    • OPTION 1: 18 Clock hours of the required initial substitute teacher training, authorized by the employing county or available through the WVDE eLearning platform OR
    • OPTION 2: Successful completion of a WVBE approved clinical experience within 1 year of application.
    • OPTION 3: Hold an expired West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid or expired Out of State Professional Teaching, Student Support, or Administrative Certificate; applicants for the Short-Term Substitute Permit may use the expired West Virginia Professional Certificate or Out-of-State Professional Certificate, as defined above, only one time to obtain a Substitute Permit provided that the Certificate has not been expired for more than five years prior to the date of application.
  • Testing: No
  • Employment Required: Yes
  • Official Recommendation: Superintendent
  • Primary Contact Info: Alyssa Keedy, alyssa.keedy@k12.wv.us

Electronic Application Instructions:

Electronic Application Instructions:

Step 1: If this is your first time submitting an electronic application through the WVDE Certification Portal, you will need to register. As part of the registration process, you will be prompted to either use an existing webtop account if you have been employed in the West Virginia school system or register to create a webtop login.

Step 2: Once you have completed the registration process and have a webtop account, you may submit an electronic application.

Step 3: Depending on your employment status with a WV educational system, or if institutional verification is required, you may be able to proceed to payment at this time. If your application requires county/institutional approval, you will receive an email notification once it is completed so that you may proceed to pay for your application.

Step 4: When the application is ready for payment, you will receive an email notification with instructions for online payment. Applications will not be processed by the Office of Certification until the online payment has been processed. Applicants may follow and review the status of their application via the certification portal.

Step 5: If you are a first-time applicant for licensure (have never held a license/certificate issued by the WVDE), you will receive an email with a service code to make your background check appointment once the application is received by our office. You will need to follow these directions for first-time applicants. (*Note: This requirement does not apply to Forms 23 and 24B.*)

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