Teaching in Virginia
Teacher Education & Licensure
The Virginia Department of Education licenses teachers and administrators according to regulations adopted by the Board of Education. The department also administers regulations governing educator preparation programs to ensure that teachers enter the classroom with content knowledge and instructional skills aligned to the Standards of Learning and other objectives for learning and achievement.
The department also administers programs to help school divisions recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and recognize instructional excellence.
Three Primary Pathways to Licensure
Educator Licensure State Comparison Tool
New legislation has made reciprocity easier for veteran teachers from other states to obtain a Virginia license. The Educator Licensure State Comparison Tool serves as a comparison tool for Virginia educators on licensure requirements across states. The comparison tool includes education/experience and testing requirements as well as links to each state’s department of education and Regulations/Code.
Stay Informed with TeacherDirect
TeacherDirect provides a direct line of communication with classroom teachers and educators. TeacherDirect includes information about new instructional resources created by VDOE staff as well as professional development, grant opportunities, and other information of special interest to teachers and students.