W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-16 - [Effective 1/11/2025] Out-of-State Candidates

16.1. Interstate Agreement for Qualifications of Educational Personnel. West Virginia is a member of the NASDTEC that promotes the mobility of educators across state and national borders utilizing consistent standards for certification for education personnel. Although West Virginia participates in this interstate compact agreement, specific requirements for issuing certifications to out-of-state candidates are established in section 16.2 and section 16.3 in accordance with W. Va. Code § 18A-3-1(b). W. Va. Code § 18A-3-2a(1) provides for the certification of a candidate meeting equivalent standards at IHEs in other states who has passed the appropriate WVBE-approved basic skills and subject-matter tests; has completed three years of successful full-time experience in a public school within the last seven years in the area the licensure is being sought; or, has completed the WVBE-approved alternative route to certification established in section 15.

16.2. Recognition of Out-of-State Certificates. A Professional Teaching, Administrative, or Student Support Certificate for employment in a West Virginia pubic school may be issued to an eligible out-of-state candidate that submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid out-of-state certificate equivalent to the Professional Teaching, Administrative, or Professional Certificate of eligibility issued by another state that meets all of the requirements of that state for full certification except employment; has graduated from an approved teacher education program at an accredited IHE or EPP approved in the licensing state; and, passes a criminal history record check conducted by the West Virginia State Police and the FBI as required by W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10 and section 9.2 (for individuals who hold a valid Out-of-State certificate in the area of CTE, refer to the requirements for the CTE Certificate in section 10). Eligible candidates who meet the requirements established in section 10.1.d.5, except coursework or 10.1.e, may be issued an initial Professional Teaching Certificate.

16.2.a. Exception. A candidate licensed in another state may use five years of full-time teaching experience in one or more area(s) of endorsement on the certificate to meet licensing requirements. A candidate who successfully completed a nationally normed TPA adopted by the licensing state may be exempt from the TPA requirement for conversion established in section 10.1.b.5.A.

16.3. Application for West Virginia Certification with a Valid Out-of-State Certificate. A candidate is required to submit a copy of their valid out-of-state certificate with the appropriate application to ensure accurate interpretation of the out-of-state certificate. The WVDE may issue to an out-of-state candidate any endorsement included on their valid out-of-state certificate that is currently offered by the State of West Virginia. If the valid out-of-state certificate includes any endorsement(s) not currently offered by this state, the candidate may secure official documentation from the state in which the valid certification was issued that identifies those endorsement areas, if any, in which the candidate would be certified to teach in the issuing state. This documentation may be utilized to meet the criteria required for certification to teach in the endorsement areas for which West Virginia currently requires certification.

16.3.a. Exception. Speech Language Pathologists who are licensed in a state where the agency or licensing board responsible for issuing certificates for employment in the public schools of that state no longer requires Speech Language Pathologists licensure may apply for a West Virginia Student Support Certificate if the candidate submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a certificate recognized by the issuing state's licensing board or agency authorizing them to work in a public school of that state; and, the requirements required in section 10.

16.4. Expiration Dates of Certification Granted to Candidates Based on Valid, Out-of-State Certification.

16.4.a. A candidate applying for an initial West Virginia Professional Teaching Certificate with a valid out-of-state teacher certificate after October 1, 2024, may be issued a Non-Transferrable Professional Teaching Certificate valid for three years. The three-year, Non-Transferrable Professional Teaching Certificate is renewable if the requirements established in section 10 have been meet. A candidate who successfully completes a WVBE-approved Teacher Performance Assessment in accordance with Policy 5100 may convert the certificate to a transferable Professional Teaching Certificate upon application. A converted teaching certificate expires in the same year as the original non-transferrable certificate.

16.4.a.1. Exception. A candidate who is licensed in another state may use five years of full-time teaching experience in one or more area(s) of endorsement on the certificate or who successfully completed a nationally-normed TPA adopted by the licensing state; or who previously completed five years of full-time teaching experience with a minimum of one year in a West Virginia public school or accredited non-public school in accordance with Policy 2330 may be issued a transferable teaching certificate.

16.4.b. Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate. If a valid out-of-state certificate is listed as permanent by the issuing state and the candidate submits documentation that they have a minimum of five years of full-time experience in the endorsements area(s) included on the valid certificate, the candidate is eligible for a West Virginia Permanent Professional Teaching Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the licensure application process.

16.4.c. Provisional Administrative Certificate. A candidateapplying for an Administrative Certificate endorsed for school principal, supervisor of instruction, and/or superintendent based on an accredited educational leadership program, or a valid out-of-state administrative certificate is eligible for a renewable Provisional Administrative Certificate valid for five years. Upon employment as an administrator in a West Virginia public school and completion of the ELI required by W. Va. Code § 18A-3A-3, a candidate is eligible for a Professional Administrative Certificate valid for five years. An individual holding a Provisional Administrative Certificate may be employed as an administrator in a West Virginia public school but is not permitted to perform evaluations until the candidate holds an initial Administrative Certification with the completion of the ELI.

16.4.d. Permanent Administrative Certificate. A candidate who holds a Permanent Administrative Certification on a valid out-of-state certification is eligible for a West Virginia Provisional Administrative Certificate upon employment in an administrative role; completion of the comprehensive ELI; and, verification of five years of experience acquired under a valid certificate.

16.5. Issuance of a West Virginia Professional Certificate based on a valid, out-of-state certificate. A candidate holding a valid out-of-state certificate may only use the out-of-state certificate once for the issuance of a West Virginia certificate.

16.6. Military Spouse. A Temporary Teaching Certificate, or eligible permit for an armed forces spouse, may be issued to a candidate that submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: is married to a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty; or, holds a current unencumbered teaching certificate, license or permit issued by an equivalent credentialing entity in another state, territory, or protectorate of the United States.

16.6.a. Conditions of issuance. A candidate applying for licensure is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: their spouse is assigned to a duty station in West Virginia or at a military installation within 50 air miles of a West Virginia border; has been offered employment in a West Virginia public school; holds a minimum of a four-year degree from an accredited institution; holds a valid credential from another state; and, passes a West Virginia State Police and FBI criminal history record check (W. Va. Code § 18A-3-10). The candidate may be issued an equivalent credential if one exists.

16.6.b. Validity Period. A Temporary Professional Teaching Certificate or eligible permit issued to a military spouse shall be valid in accordance with the allowable validity period for the issued credential and adherence to the renewal requirements of the specific credential as required by the applicable section of this policy.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-16