The Code of Virginia requires all certified positions to hold a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) license in order to be paid with public funds. The Office of Certification is here to help guide you through this process.
It is the responsibility of the license holder to maintain a valid license issued by the Virginia Department of Education.
License Certificates
The VDOE Office of Licensure and School Leadership discontinued the printing and mailing of paper licenses and evaluations on June 21, 2023. The Office of Licensure and School Leadership will make license certificates and evaluations available in the future on the eGOV portal. Applicants and license holders are encouraged to create an eGOV account to view pertinent licensure information. This article first ran in edition #2023-01.
Privacy Act Notice
The application for teacher licensure in Virginia requires that you provide your social security number. Virginia law requires a check of the registry of founded complaints of child abuse and neglect in Virginia and other states (Section 22.1-296.4 of the Code of Virginia). Your social security number is required for this search. In addition, Virginia is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, and uses their clearinghouse to check for licensure revocation, suspension, denial, and reinstatement in other states. Virginia also provides information to the clearinghouse regarding licensure revocation, suspension, denial, and reinstatement in Virginia. The social security number is used for the clearinghouse and was required before 1975. The Virginia Department of Education will not release your social security number except in reporting cases of licensure revocation, suspension, denial and reinstatement as noted above.
Become familiar with the license holder responsibility and the administrator's role in the License Renewal process or access the Virginia License Renewal Manual for guidance:
License Renewal
Administrator's Role (PDF)
Renewal Manual (Word)
Obtain the instructions and forms for adding endorsements or degrees to your license:
Adding Endorsements
Adding Degree
Check the "Alpha Roster" for your name to verify licensure requests were processed by the PWCS Office of Certification and sent to the VDOE on your behalf or check the VDOE Query to see the current license status for you or school staff:
Alpha Roster (Excel)
VDOE Query
Learn more about Virginia assessments. If you hold a Collegiate or Post Graduate Professional license, you may add some endorsements to your license by taking and passing the required Praxis II assessment with no additional course work:
Assessments (Word)
Adding Endorsement
Obtain forms and instructions to apply for a Salary Upgrade to BA+15, MA, MA+30 or Doctorate. Salary Upgrades processed twice a year with deadline dates of September 30 and January 31. Locate approved Virginia licensure programs that lead to a salary upgrade and additional endorsements: