Licensure

Where to go if you have questions about:
License Renewal Process	Add / Remove Endorsement(s) from Teaching License
Adding a Master's Degree	Changing Your Name
Teacher Assessment Requirements (PRAXIS and Virginia Reading Assessment)	Provisional and Special Education Coursework Requirements (Recommendation for Special Education Conditional License Holders)
FAQs
Staff Development 804-652-3679
Tuition Reimbursement	IRR Forms
SD2 Forms

Licensure: We Are Here To Help!
The Department of Human Resources Licensure Office acts as a liaison with the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Teacher Education and Licensure. We assist Henrico County Public Schools contracted teachers and other school professionals to obtain and maintain valid licensure.Contracted instructional personnel are required to obtain a Virginia School Personnel License with appropriate endorsement(s). An endorsement area is the subject area you are licensed to teach or serve.Meeting the Technology Standards and the Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention competencies are required for contracted instructional personnel renewing their five-year professional licenses

License Renewal Process

• Complete a total of 180 professional development points (Please see definitions and instructions You must earn these points during the validity period of your license and list them on an Individualized Renewal Record (IRR).
  
• Consult with your principal or advisor annually, or as needed, to review and verify your IRR. (If you hold a bachelor’s degree only, a minimum of 90 points or 3 semester hours must be taken from an accredited two or four year college/university in the content area of one’s assignment or endorsement. In addition, coursework in technology, classroom management, special education, gifted education or English as a Second Language (ESL) may satisfy the content course requirement for one cycle of the renewal process).

Submit the following to the HCPS Staff Development Office:

• Completed Individualized Renewal Record (IRR form) signed by your Principal, Assistant Principal or Principal’s designee.
• If not previously submitted, a signed and completed Technology Standards Proficiency form. Individual tasks can be initialed by Technology Trainer or principal’s designee, the bottom of the form must be signed by the principal.
• Original, official transcripts containing the courses taken.
• If not previously submitted, a copy of the Certificate of Completion for “Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing, Reporting, and Responding for Educators” course at www.vcu.edu/vissta/training/va_teachers.
• Submit $25 check made out to Treasurer of Virginia.
• Renewals may be submitted beginning January 1 of the renewal year. All renewals are due no later than March 15 for those licenses expiring June 30 of the current school year. Failure to submit renewal information will result in your contract being held until requirements are submitted.
• Please send completed IRR forms to the Staff Development Office, 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223-0480

Add/Remove Endorsement(s) from Teaching License

Teachers needing to add endorsement(s):

• Submit notification to the Licensure Office requesting the addition of the endorsement(s) to their teaching license. Include any official transcript(s) (only an original transcript as provided from the issuing school will be accepted) and supporting documentation, i.e., course descriptions or syllabi.
  
• Submit $25 check made out to Treasurer of Virginia.
• If the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) finds….  All of the required coursework is met, the teacher is issued a license with the new endorsement(s).
• Deficiency in coursework (6 credit hours or less) for the additional endorsement, the teacher may be issued a provisional license with the new endorsement(s), if the endorsement is needed for current job assignment, and is given time to complete the courses.
  

Teachers needing to remove endorsement(s):

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Adding a Master's Degree

• Submit an official, original transcript indicating conferral/awarding of the master’s degree to the Department of Human Resources, Attn: Licensure.  Only an official, original transcript issued by the respective higher education institution will be accepted.
• Please do not request the transcript to be mailed directly to the Department of Human Resources, but rather to be mailed directly to you in order to include in your request packet.
  
• Attach a note requesting the adding of the master's degree and changing contract information.  To assure salary adjustment, it is imperative that a note accompanies the transcript. 
• It shall be the responsibility of the employee to appropriately notify the Department of Human Resources, Attn: Licensure in writing when they qualify for a new classification.
• Verification received after March 30 will be recognized with the beginning of the following school year.
• To change your license from a Collegiate Professional to a Postgraduate Professional, please include a check or money order in the amount of $25 made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
• To change your license from a Collegiate Professional to a Postgraduate Professional and add an endorsement, please include a check or money order in the amount of $50 made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
• For adding any one of the following endorsements, please contact the office of Seza Aldrich through e-mail at saaldrich@henrico.k12.va.us for additional requirements of your packet:
  • Administrative and Supervision PreK-12
  • Mathematics Specialist for Elementary and Middle Education
  • Reading Specialist

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Changing Your Name

You may change the name on your license at any time. In order to complete this request, you must notify in writing the appropriate name change
(from ___ to ___ ) to the HCPS Licensure Office. If the request is in conjunction with your license renewal, there will be no additional cost for this change. However, there will be a $25.00 charge to process any name change requests not associated with a license renewal or other action. In this later case, please attach a check for $25.00, payable to Treasurer of Virginia, with your request.

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Teacher Assessment Requirements
January 5, 2012

Introduction

Applicants requesting an initial teaching license or an endorsement as a Reading Specialist are required to achieve passing scores on professional teacher’s assessments prescribed by the Board of Education unless exempted based on three years of full-time successful teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school in a state other than Virginia and a valid out-of-state license (full credential with no deficiencies) as described below under the topic, “Exemption Criteria.” Applicants seeking the Technical Professional License, Pupil Personnel Services License, International License, and School Manager License are not required to complete the professional teacher’s assessments.

 

Exemption Criteria
Individuals who hold a valid out-of-state license (full credential with no deficiencies) and who have completed a minimum of three years of fulltime, successful teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school (kindergarten through grade 12) in a state other than Virginia are exempted from the professional teacher’s assessment requirements (VCLA, Praxis II, and the reading assessment). Experience as a substitute teacher or as a teacher’s aide is not acceptable experience to meet this exemption.

[Please note that the valid out-of-state license (full credential with no deficiencies) and the documented teaching experience must be submitted with the application for the license.]

 

Assessments Required
The prescribed tests for Virginia for initial licensure are as follows:

ACADEMIC SKILLS ASSESSMENT

Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment-VCLA (effective since January 1, 2006)

CONTENT ASSESSMENT
Praxis II (if applicable) – Refer to page 2 for the listing of required Praxis II assessments.

READING ASSESSMENT (if applicable) - A reading assessment is required for individuals seeking initial licensure with endorsements in any of the following endorsements (teaching areas): Early/Primary Education preK-3, Elementary Education preK-6, Special Education-General Curriculum, Special Education-Hearing Impairments, and Special Education- Visual Impairments. [This assessment also may apply to those individuals with endorsements in Special Education-Emotional Disturbances, Special Education-Specific Learning Disabilities, and Special Education-Mental Retardation who were advised under previous regulations to meet this assessment requirement for full licensure.] Individuals seeking endorsement as a Reading Specialist must also complete a reading assessment.

VIRGINIA COMMUNICATION AND LITERACY ASSESSMENT (effective January 1, 2006)

The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment became effective January 1, 2006, for individuals seeking an initial Virginia license unless an individual meets the exemption criteria. Refer to the following Web site for more information about the test content, test dates, costs, accommodations for
individuals with disabilities, and registration: www.va.nesinc.com.

 

On March 22, 2006, the Board of Education approved cut scores for the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). The cut scores for the VCLA are as follows:

Writing Sub Test: 235
Reading Sub Test: 235
Composite Score: 470

PRAXIS II:  SPECIALTY AREA TESTS
The following tests are required for the following endorsement (teaching specialty) areas for initial licensure unless an individual meets the exemption criteria. Individuals are required to satisfy the Specialty Area test(s) requirement for only one endorsement area, but it must match an endorsement area in which initial licensure is granted. For information regarding registration, test administration, fees, the policy for testing individuals with disabilities, etc., please refer to the Web site, www.ets.org, or contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at 1-800-772-9476 or 609-771-7395 for THE PRAXIS SERIES Registration Bulletin or write to THE PRAXIS SERIES, ETS, P.O. Box 6051, Princeton, NJ 08541-6051. Hearing impaired individuals using a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may call 1-800-275-1391 for information.

 

SPECIALTY AREA TEST TEST CODE  PASSING SCORES ENDORSEMENT AREA

Specialty Area Test	Test Code	Passing Scores	Endorsement Area
Art: Content Knowledge (taken before 9/1/2011)	(0133)	159	Visual Arts
Art: Content Knowledge (taken after 9/1/2011)	(0134)	158	Visual Arts
Biology: Content Knowledge	(0235)	155	Biology
Braille Proficiency (This test is required effective 7/1/2011, except for teachers completing the approved Virginia Visual Impairments Consortium Program who must meet this requirement effective 7/1/2012.)	(0631)	168	Special Education–Visual Impairments
Business Education (taken before 9/1/2010)	(0100)	590	Business & Information Technology
Business Education (taken after 9/1/2010)	(0101)	157	Business & Information Technology
Chemistry: Content Knowledge	(0245)	153	Chemistry
Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge	(0571)	156	Earth Science
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge	(0014) paper/pencil or (5014) Computer-based	143 143	PreK-3 , PreK-6 PreK-3 , PreK-6
English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge	(0041)	172	English
French: Content Knowledge (taken before 9/1/2010)	(0173)	169	French
French: World Language (taken after 9/1/2010)	(5174)	163	French
German: Content Knowledge (taken before 9/1/2010)	(0181)	162	German
German: World Language (taken after 9/1/2010)	(5183)	163	German
Family and Consumer Sciences  (taken before 9/2008)	(0120)	550	Family and Consumer Sciences
Family and Consumer Sciences (taken after 9/2008)	(0121)	150	Family and Consumer Sciences
Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge	(0856)	151	Health and Physical Education PreK-12
Marketing Education  (taken before 9/2008)	(0560)	570	Marketing Education
Marketing Education (taken after 9/2008)	(0561)	147	Marketing Education
Mathematics: Content Knowledge	(0061)	147	Mathematics
Middle School English/Language Arts	(0049)paper/pencil (5049) computer-based	164	Middle Education English
Middle School Mathematics	(0069)	163	Middle Education Mathematics
Middle School Science	(0439)	162	Middle School Science
Middle School Social Studies	(0089)paper/pencil (5089) computer-based	160	Middle School Social Studies
Music: Content Knowledge	(0113)	160	Music-Vocal/Choral or Instrumental
Physics: Content Knowledge	(0265)	147	Physics
Social Studies: Content Knowledge	(0081)	161	History and Social Sciences
Spanish: Content Knowledge (taken before 9/1/2010)	(0191)	161	Spanish
Spanish: World Language (taken after 9/1/2010)	(5195)	168	Spanish
Technology Education (taken before 9/1/2011)	(0050)	610	Technology Education
Technology Education (taken after 9/1/2011)	(0051)	162	Technology Education

 

READING ASSESSMENTS

The reading assessments for Virginia changed on July 1, 2011. Please read this section carefully.

A reading assessment is prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education for individuals seeking the following endorsements unless the exemption criteria are met:

(1) an initial Virginia license with the following endorsements: Early/Primary Education preK-3, ElementaryEducation preK-6, Special Education- General Curriculum, Special Education-Hearing Impairments, and Special Education-Visual Impairments; or

(2) an endorsement as a reading specialist.

Effective July 1, 2011, the Virginia Department of Education implemented changes in the required reading assessments for certain endorsements. For teachers seeking an initial license with endorsements in Early/Primary Education preK-3, Elementary Education preK-6, Special Education – General Curriculum, Special Education – Hearing Impairments, or Special Education – Visual Impairments, the required reading assessment is the Praxis Series Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE): Elementary and Special Education Teachers Assessment (0306 paper/pencil or 5306 computer based). On May 19, 2011, the Board of Education set the passing score for this assessment at 157.

 

Effective July 1, 2011, the required assessment for teachers seeking an endorsement as a Reading Specialist is the Praxis Series Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE): Reading Specialist Assessment (0304 paper/pencil or 5304 computer based). On May 19, 2011, the Board of Education set the passing score for this assessment at 162.

 

Both assessments are offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Information regarding the new assessments, including Test at a Glance documents, test centers, test dates, and registration information can be found at http://www.ets.org/praxis/va.

 

Individuals who were previously cited for the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) or Virginia Reading Assessment for Reading Specialists (VRA for Reading Specialists) and who have not yet completed these tests are now required to take the new assessments. The VRA and VRA for Reading Specialists are no longer available.

 

VRA Taken Prior to June 30, 2011: Even though the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) and Virginia Reading Assessment for Reading Specialists (VRA for Reading Specialists) will not be administered after June 30, 2011, the Virginia Department of Education will continue to accept passing scores on the VRA assessments from individuals who took the tests prior to June 30, 2011. The cut scores for the Virginia Reading Assessments for elementary and special education teachers was 235 and the cut score for reading specialists was 245, effective July 1, 2006.

 

SCHOOL LEADERS LICENSURE ASSESSMENT (SLLA)
Effective July 1, 2005, the Board of Education approved the use of the SLLA for individuals who are seeking an administration and supervision endorsement authorizing them to serve as principals and assistant principals.

 

For information regarding registration, test administration, fees, etc. please visit the following Educational Testing Service Web site:  www.ets.org/sls.

 

On January 14, 2010, the Board of Education approved a cut score of 163 for the revised version of the SLLA - Test Code 1011. The revised SLLA (test code 1011) was administered in other states beginning in September 2009. The test was first administered in Virginia in January 2010. The cut score of 163 will apply to all candidates who submit a score for the revised SLLA for the administration and supervision endorsement. This test will be administered for the last time in a paper-and –pencil format in September 2011. Beginning January 2012 this test will be available in a computer-delivered format only.

VIRGINIA TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS
For information on the assessments prescribed by the Board of Education for admission into a teacher preparation program in Virginia, please visit: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/educator_preparation/college_programs/entry_assessment.pdf.

 

PROFESSIONAL TEACHER’S ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/prof_teacher_assessment.pdf

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Provisional and Special Education Coursework Requirements

• Teachers must complete required coursework and submit official transcript(s) (only an original transcript as provided from the issuing school will be accepted) from an accredited college/university to HCPS licensure office before March 1 of the year your license expires.
• Teachers must submit updated official transcripts (only an original transcript as provided from the issuing school will be accepted) to the licensure office at the end of each academic semester to demonstrate progress towards completion of coursework. Acceptable demonstrated progress is completion of 9 semester hours per year.
• Coursework for licensure is divided into two areas. Endorsement requirements and Professional Studies. Endorsement requirements are those classes you need in order to get your endorsement in a particular area, i.e. English, Math, etc. Professional Studies are the educational credits required for licensure.

Recommendations for Special Education Conditional/Provisional License Holders

• It is highly recommended that all Special Education Conditional License Holders enroll in a special education program in order to fulfill licensure requirements. For applicable program information, visit www.TeachVirginia.org.
• In addition, Tuition Assistance Programs provided by U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Special Education Programs and Virginia Department of Education is available for Special Education Educators. For information of each program, visit www.TeachVirginia.org.

Please send all applicable information to the Licensure Office, 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223-0420.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I get a Virginia License if I hold a valid out-of-state teaching license or have completed an approved teaching program from a regionally accredited college or university? If you come into Virginia from any other state, you may qualify for a Virginia teaching license with comparable endorsement areas if you meet at least one of the following two conditions. First, you completed a state-approved teacher training program through a regionally accredited four-year college or university. Second, you hold a valid out-of-state teaching license, which must be in force at the time you apply for a Virginia license. If you are seeking licensure, you must establish a file with the Department of Education by submitting a complete application packet, which includes official transcripts. You must also satisfy the professional teacher’s assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.

 

Can I get a Virginia License if I am interested in becoming a guidance counselor, a school social worker, or a school psychologist? You need a Pupil Personnel Services license. This is a five-year renewable license available to those who earned an appropriate graduate degree from an accredited institution with an endorsement as a guidance counselor, a school psychologist, a school social worker, or a visiting teacher. (This license does not require teaching experience or an assessment exam.)

 

I am changing careers and have a bachelor’s degree? Can I become a teacher? It depends on your major and the subject area you are interested in teaching. The Virginia Department of Education uses an alternative method to determine if you meet minimum requirements for licensure. If you are considered for this alternative method, you will have to:

• Meet a total number of credit hours in a specific subject area (endorsement).
• You may also be required to satisfy specific coursework related to that subject area.
• You must satisfy the professional studies requirements and a professional teacher’s assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education

• Go to the VDOE web site, www.doe.virginia.gov
• Go to Teachers (top right hand corner)
• Go to Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel.
• Look up area you wish to teach.
• Look at the endorsement requirements and match up endorsement requirements with your classes on your transcripts. If you meet all requirements listed but fall short by no more than 6 credits in your endorsement area, you may be eligible for a provisional license.

If you do not meet the above requirements, you should contact a four-year college or university of your choice.

 

What do I need to do to get a Special Education Conditional License? Complete the Prerequisite Minimum Competency coursework, Legal/Ethical Aspects and Characteristics of Individuals with Disabilities.

Submit Virginia Reading Assessment, www.vra.nesinc.com and Praxis I (1.800.772.9476) or SAT (1.609.771.7600) scores. This is preferable but not required.

What is an endorsement area? It is the subject area that you are licensed to teach or serve.

 

Do I need a master’s degree to teach in Virginia? No, only certain endorsement areas require a master’s degree.

 

Do I need a Virginia teaching license to be offered a contract with HCPS? No, but you must be eligible for licensure. If you are offered a contract, the HCPS licensure office will help you in the application process.

 

Where can I get more licensure information? For more information, go to the Virginia Department of Education web site...www.doe.virginia.gov.

 

I am interested in the Career Switcher program. Where can I get more information? Go to the Virginia Department of Education web site at www.doe.virginia.gov and select "Teachers" at the top right hand corner.

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