Summary of Application Requirements
Review WVBE Policy 5202 and Certifications for complete requirements
Initial or Temporary Application
- Application Fee: $35
- Payment link: https://wveis.k12.wv.us/certpayment/
- Validity Period: 5 Years for an Initial or 1 Year for a Temporary Certificate
- General Requirements: US Citizen or hold eligible documentation (see WVBE Policy 5202); good character; age 18; physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified
- Education Level: A minimum of a high school diploma or higher education degree as identified within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website
- Grade Point Average: Successful completion of an institution of higher education’s state approved Career and Technical Education teacher preparation program with a minimum 2.5 GPA OR hold a valid WV Professional Teaching Certificate
- Educational Work Experience: As identified within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website
- Non-Educational Work Experience: As identified within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website
- Coursework/Training: Successful completion of an institution of higher education’s state approved Career and Technical Education program OR hold a valid WV Professional Teaching Certificate
- Credential: Industry recognized credentials are required as identified within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website and WVBE Policy 5202.
- Testing: Basic skills proficiency must have been met through appropriate WVBE required exams or exemption as identified in WVBE Policy 5202, the Licensure Testing Directory or the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website. A NOCTI exam is also required for endorsements as identified within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements and Testing Manual on the WVDE website and WVBE Policy 5202.
- Employment Required: No
- Official Recommendation: Recommendation of the Superintendent, ESC, Multi-County Vocational Center Director or ODTP Director -If the candidate is currently employed by a county board of education, the candidate must receive the recommendation of the employing county’s superintendent. If the educator is not employed by a county board of education, then a recommendation must be secured from the most recent education supervisor provided that such employment severance does not exceed one year. If employment severance in an educational setting is greater than one year, a recommendation from the current employer or community leader must be secured (Form 4B). Official recommendation from the state-approved CTE educator preparation program provider is required for the initial CTE Certificate.
- Primary Contact Info: Lori Wilson, llbuchan@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.*)