Permanent Paraprofessional Certificate

This Paraprofessional Certificate (Form 40) allows you to teach and supervise students in a support capacity under the supervision of a professional educator.  

Candidate Requirements

General Requirements

To apply, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or hold eligible documentation (see Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications).
• Be employed in the West Virginia public school system.
• Have recommendation from the county Superintendent.
• Have passed the State Aide Competency test.

Education Level

Applicants must meet one of the following education requirements.

1. Completed 36 semester hours of coursework from an accredited university and/or complete coursework through WV Learns.
   • Two (2) years of educational work experience supervised by a licensed professional may replace classroom management and/or special education credit hours. Confirm with your employer or review Policy 5202.
   • If you hold an ACDS, CDA, or permanent ECCAT certificate, this may substitute for some credit hours. Confirm with your employer or review Policy 5202.
2. Hold a valid or expired West Virginia professional teaching certificate (expired no more than five (5) years).
3. Hold an equivalent and valid or expired out-of-state professional teaching certificate (expired no more than five (5) years).

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

Application Instructions

$50