W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-15 - [Effective 1/11/2025] County-Based Alternative Route to Certification

15.1. General Criteria. A candidate may not enroll in a county-based alternative program without first being issued an alternative teaching certificate in accordance with Policy 5901 and W. Va. Code §§ 18A-3-1a through 18A-3-1i; and must complete a West Virginia State Police and FBI criminal history record check as required by section 9 and W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10.

15.2. Conditions of Issuance. An Alternative Teaching Certificate shall only be issued in areas of shortage included in their WVBE-approved alternative certification program. An Alternative Teaching Certificate shall be issued initially for one year and may only be renewed twice. An application received after January 1 is valid through the following school year with an expiration date of June 30.

15.2.a. General Education Teacher.

15.2.a.1. Conditions of Issuance. An Alternative Certificate may be issued to a candidate who meets the criteria specified in Policy 5901; and,

15.2.a.1.A. Completes a West Virginia State Police and FBI criminal history record check and receives approval by the WVDE as required by section 9.2 and W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10.

15.2.b. Special Education Teacher.

15.2.b.1. Conditions of Issuance. An Alternative Certificate may be issued to a candidate who meets the criteria established in Policy 5901.

15.2.c. American Sign Language (ASL) Teacher.

15.2.c.1. General Criteria. In accordance with W. Va. Code §§ 18A-3-1a through 18A-3-1i, an individual who qualifies to enroll in an alternative preparation program for ASL must meet the criteria established in Policy 5901.

15.3. Renewal of Alternative Teaching Certificate requires the candidate to meet criteria established in Policy 5901 and receive the recommendation of the employing county superintendent.

15.4. Conversion of the Alternative Teaching Certificate to a Provisional Alternative Certificate. A candidate applying to convert their Alternative Teaching Certificate to a Provisional Alternative Certificate is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: successful completion of a WVBE-approved program for alternative certification in accordance with Policy 5901; be recommended by the employing county superintendent; have a minimum overall cumulative 2.50 GPA; and, have the minimum proficiency scores for all WVBE-required competency exam(s) as applicable to the endorsement(s) being sought for general education and/or special education for all endorsements held and for professional education as specified in the directory or meet a qualifying exemption established in section 10.

15.5. Renewal of a Provisional Alternative Certificate requires the candidate to meet all requirements established in section 10.1.d and may be renewed twice.

15.6. A Provisional Alternative Certificate may be converted to an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate if it meets the requirements established in section 10.1.d.5.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-15