Summary of Application Requirements

Review WVBE Policy 5202 and Certifications for complete requirements

Initial Application

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Payment link:  https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/
  • Validity Period: 1 Year (Renewable twice for a total of 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 2.5
  • Employment Required: Yes
  • Official Recommendation: Collaborative preschool program director signature
  • Primary Contact Info: Tabetha Gillespie, Email: tabetha.gillespie@k12.wv.us

Renewal

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Payment link:  https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/
  • Validity Period: 1 year (Renewable twice for a total of 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 2.5
  • Educational Work Experience: Renewal of temporary authorization requires one year of early education teaching experience.
  • Coursework/Training: Renewal of a temporary authorization requires completion of at least 6 semester hours of coursework in the specialized training of early childhood OR E-Learning Coursework as described in Policy 5202.
  • Employment Required: Yes
  • Renewal Options: May be renewed with appropriate coursework completion per WVBE Policy 5202
  • Official Recommendation: Collaborative preschool program director signature
  • Primary Contact Info: Tabetha Gillespie, Email: tabetha.gillespie@k12.wv.us

Permanent

  • Application Fee: $50
  • Payment link:  https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/
  • Validity Period: Permanent
  • 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 2.5
  • Educational Work Experience: Approval of permanent authorization requires at least 1 year of early education teaching experience.
  • Coursework/Training: Verification of completion of specialized training in the areas of preschool special education, child development, preschool curriculum, early language and literacy, assessment of young children, and family and community involvement.
  • Employment Required: Yes
  • Official Recommendation: Collaborative preschool program director signature
  • Primary Contact Info: Tabetha Gillespie, Email: tabetha.gillespie@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.*)

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