Become a Teacher
in West Virginia
Certification Roadmap
*Click buttons to jump to sectionWest Virginia Highlights
To become a certified teacher in West Virginia, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in West Virginia is coming soon!
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Certification Reciprocity
West Virginia will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the West Virginia Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico |
| New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas |
| Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington |
| Wyoming |
Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: West Virginia provides no support for teachers teaching in high needs schools or teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: West Virginia has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in West Virginia makes $40,860
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in West Virginia makes$40,270
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in West Virginia makes 137% of the salary of the average worker in West Virginia
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in West Virginia receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
- Number of Years to Tenure: West Virginia requires 3 years of teaching before a teacher is eligible for tenure


