First-Class/Full-Time Permit for Student Support
Summary of Requirements
This permit may be issued to an individual who does not meet the requirements for the Professional Student Certificate issued for school counseling, speech-language pathologist, school psychologist, or attendance director but is enrolled in a state-approved educator preparation program and has been determined by the county superintendent to be the most qualified applicant for the position.
Review Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications, for complete requirements.
Full Requirements
Initial Application
The initial permit is valid for one (1) year. To apply, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or hold eligible documentation (see Policy 5202)
- Have good character
- Be at least age 18
- Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (regionally accredited college or university)
- Have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Be enrolled in a school psychologist, speech language pathologist (SLP), school counselor, or social services/attendance director program
- You must have completed a certain percentage of your program to qualify:
- School psychologist: 70%
- SLP: 25%
- School Counselor: 30% or 21 graduate semester hours, whichever is greater, where the candidate has commenced pre-clinical/field experience coursework
- Social Services/Attendance Director: 25%
- You must have completed a certain percentage of your program to qualify:
- Be employed in a vacancy where no other certified persons have applied
- Be recommended by the employing County Superintendent
You must submit an official transcript. To send official transcripts to our office electronically, email them to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. Electronic transcripts must be sent from the college or university to the Office of Certification.
Renewal
The permit renewal is valid for one (1) year, but is renewable up to four (4) times for a total of five (5) years. To renew this permit, you must:
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 across all required coursework
- Have completed six (6) hours of coursework
- The designated college or university official's signature is required to verify your enrollment in the state-approved program.
- Hold a valid or expired West Virginia First-Class/Full-Time Permit and maintain employment in your current position
- Have recommendation from the employing County Superintendent
- Present your unofficial transcripts or a grade printout reflecting completed coursework for renewal
Application Submission
For instructions on how to apply for a license to work in West Virginia public schools, follow the steps detailed in the certification application process.
If this is your first time using our Certification Portal, you will need to register. Follow the instructions for first-time applicants.
Application Fee
$35