Become A Teacher

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The following information on becoming a teacher with Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is provided to help you understand the various pathways to a career in education.

It is recommended that all applicants who do not hold a full, renewable teaching license from another state, and who have not completed an approved licensure program acceptable to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), seek guidance from an approved licensure program provider to determine the best route for licensure to meet your specific goals. Approved licensure programs provide you the skills and knowledge to be a great teacher and, often result in less course work and provide support with licensure regulation changes. Principals are looking for program completers!

To be considered for a contracted teacher position, all applicants must complete the Teaching Application process and include all unofficial transcripts for all educational history to show license eligibility.

A provisional license is issued by the VDOE only upon hire in a contracted teaching position. Licensure is a post employment process after a teacher contract offer has been made by a hiring supervisor. (Please note the VDOE issues licenses effective July 1 of the school year in which you apply for the license; therefore, consideration should be made when applying for initial licensure mid-year.)

Did You Know?

A bachelor's degree in any of the following areas is accepted for a provisional teaching license:

  • Agricultural Education
  • American Sign Language
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Dance Arts
  • Earth Science
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Foreign Language (French, Spanish, German, etc.)
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Technology Education
  • Theater Arts
  • Visual Arts

If you do not have at least a bachelor's degree in one of these areas or a degree in education, but believe you may be eligible for licensure based upon coursework completed in college, please review the Endorsement Requirements.

Interested in teaching special education?

Do you know that with a bachelor's or master's degree and successful completion of the course that covers the legal aspects and characteristics of special education, you may be eligible for a provisional license in special education?

Human Resources & GMU are partnering to offer EDSE 501: Introduction to Special Education to staff who currently hold a BA or MA and wish to become a special education teacher in PWCS. This course meets the minimum qualifications to obtain a provisional license in special education, but individuals should be prepared to continue on to meet full licensure requirements after completion of the course. 

This course runs several times throughout the year, dependent on funding and interest.  Typical course start dates include:

  • Fall start (September)
  • Spring start (January)


There may be limited opportunities to take ECED 505, which is the initial course required for licensure in Early Childhood Special Education.  This course may not be offered and is dependent on funding and interest. 

Completion of this form does not guarantee admissions into the course. Individuals must be approved by the Human Resources Department, as well as be accepted to George Mason University (GMU).   PWCS does not have any influence or control over the GMU admissions process or requirements. GMU requires individuals with international degrees to meet additional admissions requirements, which may delay the process of course enrollment.

If you are accepted to the EDSE 501 or ECED 505 course you will be contacted by email. Please note that there are course restrictions, timelines, and funding limitations which may prevent your enrollment. 

For questions about the PWCS application process, please email Jeff Hunt at [email protected]. 

You can also contact Crystal Trebing at George Mason University (GMU), to learn more about the PWCS/GMU Special Education cohort opportunities. Contact Crystal Trebing at [email protected] or 703-993-4361.

Interested in teaching Spanish, French, or German?

If you have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institute and you have passing Praxis II scores, you may be eligible for hire as a foreign language teacher!

  • French World Language Test Code 5174
  • German World Language Test Code 5183
  • Spanish World Language Test Code 5195

For information on registration, fees, and testing locations, please go to www.ets.org.