W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-24 - [Effective 1/11/2025] Advanced Credentials

24.1. Advanced Credentials are awarded to educators completing professional learning, coursework, and/or testing that exceeds the requirements for a professional certificate. Endorsements identified as Advanced Credentials have unique and specific requirements for the initial issuance and subsequent renewal. Advanced Credentials may be required for employment.

24.2. Validity Period. The validity period of each Advanced Credential will vary and be specific to that advanced credential. Any Advanced Credential that is not issued on a permanent basis expires on June 30 of the year it is set to expire. An Advanced Credential issued on a permanent basis shall remain valid if the Professional Teaching Certificate or CTE Certificate remains valid and the Advanced Credential has not been surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

24.3. Conditions of Issuance. A candidate for an Advanced Credential is required to submit documentation that they satisfy the specific conditions for issuance for the specialization the Advanced Credential is requested.

24.4. Types of Advanced Credentials. All Advanced Credentials shall be approved by the WVBE before being available or issued to eligible candidates.

24.4.a. Technology Integration Specialist. The Technology Integration Specialist serves public schools in an instructional support capacity. A candidate for Technology Integration Specialist is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate, or an Adult Certificate endorsed for Adult Basic Education in accordance with section 11.11; completed training required by the employing county; and is recommended by the employing county superintendent. The Technology Integration Specialist Advanced Credential shall be issued on a permanent basis and remains for as long as the Professional Teaching Certificate is valid provided the Advanced Credential has not been surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

24.4.b. Advanced Placement Teacher. An Advanced Placement Teacher delivers instruction in college-level courses, approved by the College Board, in the high school setting. An Advanced Credential endorsed for an Advanced Placement Teacher is required for licensure when a job posting requires the Advanced Placement credential, is valid for three years, and expires on June 30 of the year it is set to expire. A candidate for an Advance Placement Teacher Credential is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate; successfully completed the Advanced Placement Course Audit required by the College Board; is recommended for the Advanced Placement Teacher Credential by the employing county superintendent; and, completed one of the following:

24.4.b.1. Advanced Placement Institute. Successfully completed a 30-clock hour College Board endorsed Advanced Placement Summer Institute or an equivalent College Board endorsed Advanced Placement Summer Institute offered through the WVDE or an out-of-state provider endorsed by the College Board. All professional learning for the initial Advanced Placement Teacher Credential was completed subsequent to June 1, 2005; or,

24.4.b.2. Acceptance by the College Board to read exams and participate in a minimum of one Advanced Placement Exam Reading; or be accepted by the College Board to offer institutes and workshops and deliver at least one course-specific institute or workshop; or successfully serve as a mentor to a novice Advanced Placement Teacher; or successfully completed at least three semester hours of coursework directly related to the Advanced Placement course for which they applied for an Advanced Placement Credential.

24.4.b.3. Renewal of Advanced Placement Teacher. A candidate for renewal of an Advanced Placement Credential is required to submit documentation that they successfully completed the requirements in accordance with section 24.4.b where these requirements were completed after the effective date of the credential being renewed and shall have been completed within five years of the date of application for renewal.

24.4.c. Personal Finance Education Specialist. The Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education Specialist endorsement may be issued to a candidate who has completed the professional learning offered and/or approved by the WVDE. The Personal Finance Education Specialist delivers instruction to students in grades K-Adult utilizing the college and career-readiness standards framework. The Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education is valid for three years and expires June 30 of the year it is set to expire.

24.4.c.1. A candidate for an Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education Specialist is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; and, successfully completed professional learning on personal finance education provided and/or approved by the WVDE.

24.4.c.2. Renewal of the Personal Finance Education Specialist. An Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education Specialist is eligible for renewal if the candidate submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; and, completion of professional learning related to personal finance education knowledge, skills, and pedagogy offered and/or approved by the WVDE or another nationally recognized organization; or, successfully completed a minimum of three semester hours of coursework from an accredited IHE directly related to the field of Personal Finance Education.

24.4.c.3. Permanent Personal Finance Advanced Credential. An Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education Specialist may be converted to a Permanent Advanced Credential. A candidate for a Permanent Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Specialist is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid West Virginia Professional Certificate or a valid West Virginia CTE Certificate; a valid or expired Advanced Credential for Personal Finance Education Specialist that was renewed at least once during the appropriate renewal period; completed additional professional learning related to personal finance education knowledge, skills, and pedagogy and offered and/or approved by the WVDE; and, completed a minimum of three semester hours of coursework from an accredited IHE or its equivalent from West Virginia WVLearns directly related to the field of Personal Finance Education.

24.5. CTE. Permanent Advanced Credentials for areas of CTE may be issued upon completion of Professional Learning/Coursework specified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual. A candidate for a Permanent Advanced Credential for a CTE area is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: the requirements specified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual; completed the professional learning/coursework as identified in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual; and, be recommended for the Permanent Advanced Credential by the employing county superintendent, Multi-County CTE Administrator, or WVSDT Superintendent or designee.

24.5.a. Advanced Credential for Initial Option Pathway. An Option Pathway Teacher delivers instruction to students enrolled in the Option Pathway Program to prepare them for the high school equivalency assessment. An Option Pathway Advanced Credential is issued for a period equal to the validity period of the candidate's current Professional Teaching Certificate, not to exceed five years and expires on June 30 of the year it is set to expire. A candidate for an Advanced Credential for Initial Option Pathway is required to submit documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid Professional Teaching Certificate in any endorsement, grades K-12; their commitment agreement to complete the required Option Pathway orientation professional learning approved by the WVDE Option Pathway Coordinator; and, be recommended for an Advanced Credential for Initial Option Pathway by the employing county superintendent.

24.5.a.1. Renewal of the Advanced Credential for Option Pathway. The Advanced Credential endorsed for Option Pathway may be renewed if the candidate submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: holds a valid Professional Teaching Certificate in any endorsement, grades K-12; and completed unduplicated professional learning offered and/or approved by the WVDE Option Pathway Coordinator equal to six hours annually.

24.5.a.2. All new Option Pathway Teachers are required during their first year as an Option Pathway teacher to complete the Option Pathway New Teacher Orientation which may be included to meet the first-year professional learning clock hour requirement. The Advanced Credential for Option Pathway may be renewed if the candidate submits documentation that they meet the following criteria: completed a minimum of 18 clock hours (for a three-year certificate) or 30 clock hours (for a five year/permanent certificate); and, is recommended for renewal of the Advanced Credential for Option Pathway by the employing county superintendent.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-24