The primary purpose for licensing teachers and other school personnel is to maintain standards of professional competence. This responsibility is set forth in Sections 22.1-298 and 22.1-299 of the Code of Virginia. Virginia Beach City Public Schools shall regularly employ no individual as a contracted teacher unless the individual holds a license or provisional license issued by the Board of Education.
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Licensure staff is responsible for processing all licensure requests for our currently employed teachers and administrators. Individuals who are considering pursuing a course of study to become a teacher should address their specific questions as outlined in the Approved Program section on this page.
Required Participation in Child Abuse and Neglect Training (CANT) for Teacher Licensure
In the Commonwealth of Virginia there exists a codified requirement for all teachers to participate in specified Child Abuse and Neglect Training (CANT) prior to obtaining or renewing their licenses to teach. This training, which takes about one hour to complete, is available at no charge through web-based instruction. You are advised that completing CANT will be part of the employment process for applicants wishing to teach in any school division in Virginia. Upon completion of the training, you will need to print your certificate to use as verification of having met the requirement.
The Virginia licensure regulations stipulate three routes for individuals to become licensed in Virginia.
- Approved Program: A Virginia state-approved teacher preparation program. For more information on this route to licensure, you should contact the Virginia college or university in which you wish to enroll.
- Reciprocity: An individual moving into Virginia from any state may qualify for a Virginia teaching license with comparable endorsement areas if the individual has completed a state-approved teacher training program through a regionally accredited four-year college or university, OR if the individual holds a valid out-of-state teaching license which must be currently valid at the time the application for a Virginia license is made.
Teachers from another state should provide evidence that they have met another state’s requirements for the No Child Left Behind Highly Qualified status. To be considered Highly Qualified in Virignia, you will need a written statement from your university or school district stating that you have met the NCLB HQ requirement for another state. The statement should include the subjects/grade levels for which you are considered highly qualified and the method used, i.e. NY testing OR a passing score on the Virginia approved Praxis II specialty exam. - Alternate Route to Licensure: An alternate route to licensure is available through the recommendation of an individual's employing Virginia school division or nonpublic school.
A professional teacher's assessment prescribed by the Board of Education must be satisfied through all three routes to licensure.
For your convenience, A Quick Glance at Licensure is available via our website. This on-line brochure contains information and guidelines for teacher licensure and renewal procedures for a Virginia teacher license.
Employment Opportunities | Virginia DOE Licensure Information
