Plan Your Future
In West Virginia, resources are available for anyone wishing to become a teacher. Choose a pathway below that matches your current level of education.
No Diploma or Degree
Choose this option if you do not currently have a high school diploma or you have a diploma, but not a degree from a college or university.
Grow Your Own Program Pathway
The Grow Your Own program provides high school students a guided career path into the teaching profession.
Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher Program
An Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher (ECCAT) is a classroom assistant teacher employed in early childhood classroom to work with teachers to support and enhance the instructional environment and educational quality in the classroom. The ECCAT Overview provides further details on requirements for becoming an ECCAT in West Virginia early childhood classrooms. For more information, please contact the personnel director at your county board of education or our Certification Office.
High School Diploma or GED®
Choose this option if you have a high school diploma or a GED®.
Traditional Programs that Lead to Licensure
West Virginia is home to a variety of colleges and universities that offer education preparation programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or providing coursework required for licensure at the graduate level as part of a post-bachelor’s certification program. To get started, view the resources below to help you on your journey to becoming a teacher in West Virginia.
This pathway is perfect for the following:
- Recent high school graduates
- Individuals seeking a master’s degree in teaching
Contact your educator preparation program for details on cost and program completion time.
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
Choose this option if you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. All options below require meeting the minimum requirements for licensure (Policy 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel and Advanced Salary Classifications).
- Option 1: Traditional Programs that Lead to Licensure
- Option 2: County-Based Alternative Certification Programs
- Option 3: State-Approved Teacher Preparation Coursework
- Option 4: WVDE Alternative Certification Programs
- Option 5: Qualifying Veterans
- Teachers Ascend
Option 1: Traditional Programs that Lead to Licensure
West Virginia is home to a variety of colleges and universities that offer education preparation programs leading to a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or providing coursework required for licensure at the graduate level as part of a post-bachelor’s certification program. To get started, view the resources below to help you on your journey to becoming a teacher in West Virginia.
This pathway is perfect for:
- Recent high school graduates
- Those seeking a master’s degree in teaching
Contact your educator preparation program (needs redirect) representative for details on cost and program completion time.
Option 2: County-Based Alternative Certification Programs
Many West Virginia school districts provide alternative certification programs. These may only apply to areas of critical need and shortage. Alternative certification allows you to teach while you are completing program requirements.
This pathway is perfect for those wanting to teach while completing certification. Contact your county for details on cost and program completion time.
Review state-approved county-based alternative certification programs for more information.
Option 3: State-Approved Teacher Preparation Coursework
With the passage of Senate Bill 14, this new pathway allows you to complete coursework pursuant to §§18A-3-2a(a)(1)(C) for receiving a Professional Teaching Certificate. You must have a an overall college or university GPA or 2.5 (or qualifying exemption of the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory).
This pathway is perfect for those:
- Who have not yet completed required licensure exams (i.e. Praxis)
- Who have non-licensure degrees
- Who have not completed clinical experience
- Who are looking for a career change
- In long-term substitute positions seeking initial certification
Contact your program provider (American Board, iTeach, New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning, MathTrack, Teach for America Appalachia or Teach Now) for details on cost, requirements, and program completion time.
Review descriptions of state-approved teacher preparation coursework of Option 3 programs and each program’s approved endorsements for more information.
Option 4: WVDE Alternative Certification Programs
This option lets you become a certified teacher faster. If you meet the enrollment requirements, you can take the required tests and complete approved training or classes that follow the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards. Then you can earn a Professional Teaching Certificate.
This pathway is perfect for those:
- Who have already completed the required licensure exams for basic skills and content (i.e. Praxis)
- Who have non-licensure degrees
- Who have not completed clinical experience
- Who are looking for a career change
- In long-term substitute positions seeking initial certification
Review details on state-approved WVDE Alternative Certification Programs for more information. Eligible endorsements for these programs are identified within the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory and the program’s guidance document.
Applying for Enrollment
After reviewing the Alternative Certification Program’s guidance document [PDF], you may apply for enrollment in the program.
Applications for Fall 2025 semester coursework are due by the following dates:
- Bluefield State University: 7/18/2025
- West Liberty University: 7/25/2025
- West Virginia University: 7/10/2025
- Wheeling University: 7/25/2025
- Glenville State University: 7/18/2025
- Marshall University: 7/10/2025
- Shepherd University: 7/25/2025 (Applications received after this deadline may be accepted for starting self-paced asynchronous coursework)
Late applications will likely result in non-enrollment with a coursework provider for the Fall semester. For information, including cost and completion time, contact any of the following providers:
- Bluefield State University: Dr. Terene Stiltner
- West Liberty University: Dr. Sherri Theaker
- West Virginia University: Kristen Pinkney
- Wheeling University: Dr. Dianna Vargo
- Glenville State University: Connie Stout O'Dell
- Marshall University: Dr. Thomas Cooper
- Shepherd University: Dr. LeAnn Johnson
You may request a Comprehensive Evaluation Report after after completing all program requirements. Once an approved rating is received on the report, you may apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Option 5: Qualifying Veterans
This option was created with the passage of HB 3125 and SB 765 in 2025. It provides a set of conditions qualifying veterans to get a Professional Teaching Certificate. Criteria include the following:
- Honorable discharge member of the armed forces
- Must submit your most recently received DD 214, NGB 22, or NGB 23
- Pass basic skills and subject matter test(s) required by the West Virginia Board of Education for teachers to become certified in the area licensure is sought
- Must submit official documentation meeting requirements described in the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that is related to the available position you applied to
- Must submit qualifying official transcripts and an acceptable county recommendation on the application for certification
Certification Form MR is used to verify that a veteran has documentation of being honorably discharged and holds a bachelor's degree that is related to a teaching endorsement on an official transcript before they seek employment. Submit Certification Form 20M to apply for an initial Professional Teaching Certificate, to verify all necessary criteria is met (including general requirements, military documentation, official transcripts, required testing, and employment conditions).
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Certification.
If you do not qualify for this certification option, you may explore Options 1, 2, 3, and 4. To access more information, please visit the military and veterans pathway page.
Qualifying veterans pursuing employment as public school teachers are given a hiring preference per West Virginia Code §6-13-1.
Teachers Ascend
Teachers Ascend into West Virginia is a two-year program that welcomes you to live, teach and play in the Mountain State. We are building a tight-knit community of educators who share enthusiasm for the outdoors with a love for teaching, innovating and imagining new and exciting ways to engage students. Learn more below to see all the benefits, including tuition assistance, professional development and more.
This pathway is perfect for those:
- Who have completed a college degree by summer 2024
- Who hold a teaching certification or can get one through our program the summer before you enter the classroom
- Who apply and get hired for a teaching position in Monongalia or Preston County.
- Who currently live outside of West Virginia and move to the state to teach in Monongalia or Preston County.