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.*)

Paper Application Instructions:

Paper Application Instructions (only for those not available electronically):

Step 1: Download Application Form from the Application Forms Website.

Step 2: Print the paper application(s) and complete all required applicant information fields. Correspond with necessary entities (ex. school district, institutions of higher education, etc.) to acquire all required information and signatures for completion of the application.

Step 3: Payment for paper applications should be completed online prior to submitting an application to Office of Certification. Pay for paper applications at https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/. If employment within the West Virginia educational system is required for the license/certificate you seek, please verify with your employer that the application has been completed correctly before submitting an online payment.

Step 4: Submit the paper application for processing with all required supportive documentation (ex. official transcripts, etc.) to the Office of Certification. Pease mail to the following address:

West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Certification Services
Building 6, Suite 550
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0330

Note: If you are employed within a West Virginia educational system, the application must be uploaded by the employer’s human resources office.

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.*)