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/certpayment/
  • Validity Period: 1 year
  • General Requirements: US Citizen or hold eligible documentation (see WVBE Policy 5202); good character, age 18
  • Education Level: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (Regionally accredited IHE); However, school nurses may hold a nursing diploma or associate’s degree in nursing and hold a valid registered nurse license issued by the West Virginia Board of Examiners (the applicant shall complete a bachelor of science in nursing from an accredited institution within five years).
  • Grade Point Average: Minimum Overall Cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Coursework/Training: Enrollment in an approved program in the specialization(s) for which the permit is requested. For the endorsement area of school psychologist, completed 75% of the state approved program in the specialization for which the permit is requested. Signature of the Designated Institutional Official, verifying the applicant’s enrollment in the state approved program, is required.
  • Testing: No
  • Employment Required: Yes. the vacancy must have been posted with no certified individuals making application and an offer of employment must be made.
  • Job Posting Required: Yes
  • Official Recommendation: Superintendent
  • Official Transcripts (when applicable): To send official transcripts to our office electronically, please have those sent to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. If you select to send them electronically, they must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of Certification.
  • Primary Contact Info: Brad Fittro, Email: bfittro@k12.wv.us

Renewal

  • Payment link: https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/
  • Validity Period: 1 Year (Renewable up to 4 times for a total of 5 years)
  • Grade Point Average: Minimum 3.0 GPA for all required coursework
  • Coursework/Training: Six hours of required coursework. Signature of the Designated Institutional Official, verifying the applicant’s enrollment in the state approved program, is required.
  • Credential: Valid or expired WV First-Class/Full-Time Permit, renewing for continued employment in the current position
  • Testing: Individuals must pass all WVBE required exams upon program completion to apply for a professional certificate.
  • Employment Required: Yes.
  • Official Recommendation: Superintendent
  • Official Transcripts (when applicable): To send official transcripts to our office electronically, please have those sent to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. If you select to send them electronically, they must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of Certification.
  • Primary Contact Info: Brad A. Fittro, Email: bfittro@k12.wv.us

Paper Application Instructions:

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.*)

Back to Application Forms