Professional Teaching Alternative Certification Program (Option 4)

Candidate Requirements

Form 20WV requires an official recommendation from a designated Department official.  If you are employed by a West Virginia county school system, a multi-county career technical education center, the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition, or the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, you will also need a recommendation from your employer. 

If you are not employed in any capacity of these entities, select "no county" under "employing county" and submit Form 4B Character Reference with your application.

To apply, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or hold eligible documentation (see Policy 5202).
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified.
• Have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 for a bachelor's degree or minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 for a master's degree.
• Completion of Option 4: West Virginia Department of Education Alternative Certification Program.
• Pass all West Virginia Board of Education-required exams for the requested certificate and endorsement area.

To send official transcripts to our office, please have your college or university email them to cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us. Transcripts must be received from the institution, not the applicant.

Application Requirements

Form 20WV must be completed online. If this is your first time using our Certification Portal, you will need to register. Follow the instructions for first-time applicants.

1. Log in to the portal and select "apply for licensure", then select the license type, then the certification.
2. Fill in the applicant information and attach any required documentation. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name and address, respond to legal disclosure questions, and indicate the county where you're employed, if applicable. You will also need to include documentation of your alternative program.
3. Submit the application.
4. If you are employed in a West Virginia county school system, a multi-county career technical education center, the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition, or the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, your application will go to your employer for approval. Following employer approval, you will receive an email for payment. Log back in to the portal to pay the application fee.
5. If you are not employed, the "pay now" button will appear on your dashboard, and you will be able to pay immediately.
6. Following the receipt of the application by the Office of Certification, you will receive an email with instructions for completing your background check.
7. When your background check is complete and your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions to download your certificate. You may follow the status of your application on the Certification Portal or by checking the Application Status feature.

$35