Virginia Teaching Licensing Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Virginia license is designed for individuals who have completed all requirements except the professional studies component?
- Postgraduate Professional License
- Provisional License (Correct answer)
- Technical Professional License
- Endorsement-Only License
Correct answer: Provisional License
The Provisional License allows individuals who have not yet completed all professional studies requirements to teach while finishing those requirements.
Question 2: How many professional development points are required to renew a Virginia teaching license over a 5-year renewal cycle?
- 60 points
- 90 points
- 120 points
- 180 points (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 180 points
Virginia requires 180 professional development points over the 5-year license renewal period.
Question 3: A Virginia teacher licensed in elementary education wants to also teach middle school science. What must the teacher obtain?
- A separate Virginia teaching license for secondary education
- An endorsement in the middle school science content area (Correct answer)
- A new degree specifically in middle school science
- Approval from the local school board only
Correct answer: An endorsement in the middle school science content area
Teachers must add an endorsement in the specific content area (e.g., middle school science) to legally teach that subject.
Question 4: Under Virginia regulations, what is the maximum number of years a Provisional License may be held?
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
A Provisional License in Virginia may be held for a maximum of 3 years, during which the holder must complete full licensure requirements.
Question 5: Which of the following is an approved pathway to obtain a Virginia teaching license for a career changer with a bachelor's degree in a non-education field?
- Submitting a portfolio of work experience only
- Completing an approved alternate route to licensure program (Correct answer)
- Teaching for two years on a substitute permit
- Obtaining a recommendation from a sitting school principal
Correct answer: Completing an approved alternate route to licensure program
Virginia offers approved alternate routes to licensure programs that allow career changers with bachelor's degrees to earn a teaching license.
Question 6: Virginia's licensure regulations require that all initial license applicants submit evidence of completing training in which of the following areas?
- Grant writing and school budgeting
- Dyslexia awareness and literacy-based reading instruction (Correct answer)
- Advanced calculus for STEM endorsements
- School law and constitutional rights of students
Correct answer: Dyslexia awareness and literacy-based reading instruction
Virginia requires all initial license applicants to show completion of training in dyslexia awareness and literacy-based reading instruction per state law.
Question 7: If a Virginia teacher's license lapses for more than one year, what additional requirement may be imposed for reinstatement?
- Retaking and passing the Praxis content exam for their endorsement area (Correct answer)
- Completing a full student teaching placement again
- Earning an additional 15 graduate credits
- Obtaining a new degree from a Virginia institution
Correct answer: Retaking and passing the Praxis content exam for their endorsement area
Teachers whose Virginia licenses have lapsed for an extended period may be required to re-pass the applicable Praxis content exam to demonstrate current content knowledge.
Virginia Teaching Licensing Requirements 3
Which Virginia license is designed for individuals who have completed all requirements except the professional studies component?