Alternate Routes to Licensure

An individual may be eligible for an educational license even if an approved traditional educator preparation program was not completed. An alternate route to licensure is any route that is not an approved teacher preparation program or via reciprocity. There are multiple alternate routes that can be used in Virginia. An individual may have allowable deficiencies and must be employed in a public school division or accredited nonpublic school to be issued a provisional license through an alternate route. See the State Board of Education guidance here.

Career Switcher Program

The Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program provides an option for career professionals to transition into teaching. The program recognizes the life experiences of qualified individuals and provides participants with skills needed to pursue a teaching career in Virginia. Individuals interested in enrolling must apply for admission directly to a certified program provider. Applicants must make sure they have met the prerequisites and have submitted their applications and all required documents directly to a career switcher program provider. Click here for more information.

Alternate route in special education. The Provisional (Special Education) License is a nonrenewable teaching license issued for a validity period not to exceed three years to an individual employed as a special education teacher in a public school or a nonpublic school in Virginia who does not hold the appropriate special education endorsement. The Provisional (Special Education) License will be issued only with endorsements in special education. The Provisional License is a nonrenewable teaching license valid for a period not to exceed three years. This alternate route to special education endorsement is not applicable to individuals seeking an Online Teacher's License. Click here for more information.

An alternate route is available to individuals employed by a Virginia educational agency who seek teaching endorsements preK through grade 12. The employing Virginia educational agency may request a nonrenewable Provisional License on behalf of the individual if the individual has completed an allowable portion of professional studies and endorsement requirements. An employed teacher may demonstrate meeting the teaching endorsement requirements by passing a rigorous academic subject test for endorsements in which a test is prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education. Click here for more information.

Section § 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia requires that every teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth with an endorsement in the area of career and technical education shall have an industry certification credential in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement. If a teacher seeking an initial license in the Commonwealth has not attained an industry certification credential in the area in which the teacher seeks endorsement, the Board may, upon request of the employing school division or educational agency, issue the teacher a provisional license to allow time for the teacher to attain such a credential.