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Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Virginia
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Virginia. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$550–$750
Initial Cert
5 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree (confirmed as baseline requirement for standard licensure under 8 VAC 20-23) | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required (300 hours) | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
basic skills
Passing score: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150
Three subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Required unless exempt through qualifying ACT, SAT, or GRE scores.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Content knowledge exam specific to the endorsement area.
basic skills
Passing score: 235 (Reading), 235 (Writing)
Virginia-specific reading and writing assessment. Required for all initial licensure applicants.
content knowledge
Passing score: 157
Required for elementary education and special education endorsements.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Passing Score
Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $400–$600Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators.
Matched study materials
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Praxis Core Academic Skills
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Initial license issued to teachers who complete all requirements through an approved program. Valid for a nonrenewable period while the teacher completes additional requirements.
Professional license issued after completion of required professional development, mentoring, and satisfactory teaching performance. Must be renewed every 5 years.
Issued to applicants who hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree (local school boards may set requirements; some accept 60 college credits)
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by employing school division
Virginia does not issue a state-level substitute teaching license. Local school boards set their own requirements for substitute teachers. Most divisions require at least a bachelor's degree, though some accept 60 college credit hours. All substitutes must pass a background check. Some divisions offer emergency substitute authorization with lower education requirements during shortages.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeVirginia State Police and FBI fingerprint background check | $52 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes Praxis Core ($90 x 3), VCLA ($132), Praxis Subject Assessment ($120–$170), and RVE ($120 if applicable) | $400–$600 | Verified |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in the application fee | $50 | Verified |
| Renewal Fee | $25 | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, all exams, and initial license fee | $550–$750 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Graduate from an approved teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree.
Pass Praxis Core (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE), VCLA, Praxis Subject Assessment, and RVE (if applicable).
Fee: $400–$600
Submit fingerprints for Virginia State Police and FBI background checks through your employing school division.
Fee: $52
Apply through the Virginia Department of Education's online licensing system. Applications are submitted through the employing school division.
Fee: $50
Upon approval, receive a 5-year Provisional License (nonrenewable).
Virginia's Career Switcher Program is the primary alternative certification pathway, designed for career changers with a bachelor's degree and content expertise. The program includes coursework in pedagogy and classroom management, followed by a supervised teaching internship. Multiple approved providers offer Career Switcher programs across the state.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
180
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Virginia requires 180 professional development points per 5-year renewal cycle for the Renewable License. Points can be earned through college coursework (1 semester hour = 15 points), workshops, conferences, mentoring, professional learning communities, and other approved activities.
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Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Virginia evaluates out-of-state applicants based on their credentials and experience. Those with a valid out-of-state license may receive a Virginia license if they meet comparable requirements.
Additional requirements: May need to pass the VCLA and/or Praxis subject assessments. Out-of-state applicants with 3+ years of full-time teaching experience may qualify for streamlined processing.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Unique to Virginia: Virginia is one of the few states that requires a state-specific literacy assessment (VCLA) in addition to Praxis exams. The state also has a unique Collegiate Professional License tier for educators who hold a master's degree. Virginia uses the term 'school divisions' rather than 'school districts,' and licensure applications are typically submitted through the employing school division rather than directly by the individual.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (you) | $550–$750 | 216–234 wks | |
| District of Columbia | $400–$540 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Kentucky | $572–$682 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Maryland | $435–$545 | 216–234 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $347–$577 | 216–234 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Virginia
See how Virginia compares: Teacher License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does Virginia compare to other states for teacher? See the full comparison →
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Official Sources
Teacher requirements in Virginia verified against Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), March 2026.
Moving to Virginia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Virginia →
Transfer your Teacher license from Virginia to: Kentucky → | Maryland → | North Carolina → | Tennessee → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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