Certification Application Process

How Does the Application Process Work?

When applying, please keep the following in mind. 

We receive a lot of applications, so it may take up to 90 days to process an application from the date we receive it. All processing fees are non-refundable, and you can only pay online as cash or checks are not accepted. Please sign and submit all paper applications to your human resources office. We only accept your original applications, meaning no copies or faxes of the original. Email any required documents (excluding transcripts) or general inquiries to certification.wvde@k12.wv.us.

We check your name and social security number through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification when you submit an application. This search will show any revocation, cancellation, suspension, denial, or reinstatement of education licenses in other states.

You must submit your official college or university transcript reflecting coursework, grades, and awarded degrees. We will only accept official transcripts directly from the college or university. You may request to have physical transcripts mailed to your employing county or to our office (see address below). Electronic transcripts (eScrips) may be emailed to us by your institution at cert.transcripts.wvde@k12.wv.us.

• West Virginia Department of Education 
  Office of Certification, Building 6,
  Suite 550 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East 
  Charleston, WV 25305-0330

Paper Application Instructions

Step 1: Download the application form.

Step 2: Fill out the form and submit all required information to your school district or college or university for signature. Next, submit the application to our office. If you are mailing a form to the Office of Certification, it must be the original. If your application requires employment, your employing county must submit it.

Step 3: Complete your payment before submitting the application.

Step 4: Check your email inbox for emails from the Office of Certification. After we receive your application, you may be required to have a background check.  If so, we will email a service code to schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.  First-time applicants should refer to the directions for first-time applicants.

Electronic Application Instructions

Step 1: Click "create new application" or click the "renew" button next to your credential to renew it. Next, you will verify your information, like your address and phone number. To edit the information, click the “edit” button in the top right corner.  Once finished, click "save."

Step 2: You will need to answer the six (6) legal disclosure questions. These are all "yes or no" questions. If you answer "yes," you must give the occurrence date, name of the incident, and a description. If this legal disclosure was previously reported using a paper form, you need to report it again and make sure the box is checked.

Step 3: Select your county of employment or state that you are not currently employed by the West Virginia public school system. There may be more questions to answer, depending on the application. 

Step 4: Add supporting files.  If you have more than one file, organize them into one document and upload it. You may also click “select files” again to upload files one by one.

Step 5: Once you submit your form, your college or university, and/or employing county, may need to review the application. Once approved, you will receive an email notification for payment.  Log into the Certification Portal and click “pay now” next to the application to add the form to your cart. Click "checkout" and complete the payment. This sends the application to the Office of Certification for review. 

Step 6: If you have not been licensed through the Office of Certification in the past, a state and federal background check is also required for this application.  If needed, we will email you a code along with instructions. You may not use previously completed background checks or go through any other entity for this requirement.

Step 7: Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on downloading your certificate.