Prince William County Public Schools

License Renewal for PWCS Employees

When Do I Renew? How Do I Renew?

• PWCS requires that all license renewals be submitted to the PWCS Office of Certification between January 3 and April 1 of the year the license expires. The VDOE does not accept license renewal packets before January 1. Do not send your renewal in before January 3, 2024.
• PWCS is paying the $50 renewal fee for certified staff with renewable licenses expiring June 30, 2024.
• You can renew with the Digital Renewal Process in your PWCS Records account:
  Digital License Renewal Process Instructions The Digital Process will be available in Records beginning January 3, 2024.
• You may also renew with the traditional paper submission process:
  Instructions on How to Submit a Hard Copy License Renewal Packet
• Download link for 3-page License Renewal Application form, VDOE January 2022 edition is the current active version (Also available in PWCS Records if completing the Digital renewal process)

License Renewal Training Requirements

• Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED Training w/hands-on CPR practice
• Dyslexia Awareness Training Module
• Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition Training
• Meaningful IEP Meetings
• Building a More Inclusive School Community: Key Elements
• Cultural Competency Training
• Virginia State and Local Civic Education Module (only required of specific endorsements areas)
• School Counselor Training (only required for those holding a School Counselor endorsement)

How many points do I need to renew a license?

• Five-year renewable license holders must present 180 points for renewal and will be issued a ten-year renewable license. This applies to licenses expiring in 2024. License holders are only required to verify 180 points, additional points earned do not need to be included or verified with evidence for the license renewal process. Your renewed license will be effective for 10 years.
• Ten-year renewable license holders will need to present 270 points for license renewal (note: this is the information available at present and is pending Administrative Process Act Regulation updates). This applies to licenses expiring 2028 or later.

How can I earn points for license renewal?

• Use the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual (Word) to learn more about the eight options available to earn points for license renewal, maximum points allowed for each option and examples of how to verify points earned.

How do I earn professional development points?

The PWCS Professional Learning Catalog provides professional development opportunities for license holders to earn points for license renewal. You must be logged into your PWCS Office 365 account to gain access. Once logged in, select "All Apps" and locate "PS-Professional Learning Catalog."

Some course offerings may offer college credit. If you need assistance on your login credentials, contact the Professional Learning Office at 703-791-7369.

Other Resources for Renewal Points

Behavior Intervention and Support Training - A series of modules to inform Virginia school personnel on the Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia can be found on the ODU VDOE joint webpage and can be completed at no cost and worth 5 renewal points. Include a copy of the certificate with your license renewal packet verifying completion.

College Credit

If you choose to use Renewal Point Option 1, College Credit, all semester hours or credits must be earned through a Regionally Accredited Agency.

Common Resources to Earn College Credit Online Include

• Any regionally accredited Virginia college system
• UVA Wise - Average cost $300
• University of LaVerne - Average cost $345
• University of Phoenix - Average cost $525

External Credit Request Process for PWCS

PWCS staff are able to submit and track external credit requests in the professional learning catalog. License holders may use this method to obtain approval from your principal/advisor when you have completed activities outside of the professional learning catalog and you want to use them for license renewal. The External Credit Request replaces the manual process of submitting the paper renewal packet to your principal/advisor for approval. Once approved by your principal/advisor the external credit hours will appear on your professional learning transcript and may be used for your digital license renewal process when completed within your renewal period. This may include points earned through college coursework, conferences, curriculum development, educational projects, publications, mentorship/supervision or any other educational activity not offered through the Professional Learning Catalog.

Learn more about the External Credit Approval Process

Administrator's External Credit Approval Process Instructions

Most Common License Renewal Mistakes

• Packet sent to the VDOE in error. All packets must be sent to the PWCS Office of Certification.
• Check endorsed incorrectly. Checks should be made payable to "Treasurer of Virginia"
• Wrong year on check. Date of check must reflect current year.
• Points under Option 8 listed as under 5 points. Activities must be 5 or more points. Similar activities can be combined.

Please Note

• The $50 renewal fee covers all endorsements, regardless of the number of endorsements reflected on a license.
• A Superintendent's License is a separate license and requires an additional fee of $50 to renew.

It is the responsibility of the license holder to maintain a valid license issued by the Virginia Department of Education. Progress should be made each year towards license renewal requirements and reflected on the performance evaluation process accordingly. Non-compliance of license renewal requirements and deadlines may result in a recommendation for non-renewal of the contract or dismissal from a position.