All licensure pathways require the following:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (IHE) with the minimum overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5
• Successful completion of the basic skills, content specialization and professional learning tests as described in the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory
• Successful completion of state-approved program/coursework
• Qualifying outcome on criminal history checks as defined in WVBE policy.

If you’ve been asking, “How do I become a teacher in West Virginia?” check out these helpful resources, which provide a general overview of our four pathways to becoming an educator and an explanation of the application forms needed for licensure.

“Our Pathways Explained” one-pager

Licensure Application Flowchart

Pathways by Education Level

Whether you’re a high school student, a college graduate, a certified teacher from out-of-state, returning to the classroom, or somewhere in between, there is a pathway for you.

Choose the pathway for your education level:

• Bachelor's Degree
• High School Diploma or Equivalency
• No Degree or Diploma