How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in Virginia

Becoming an elementary school teacher is an incredibly meaningful career choice. Elementary teachers are role models for our youngest students, guiding them through some of the most formative years of their lives.  

The process may seem overwhelming at first, but becoming an elementary school teacher in Virginia doesn’t have to be daunting. If you’re a Virginia resident and you’ve been envisioning yourself in the classroom (or if you’re planning a move to the Old Dominion State), this post will walk you through steps and options to make your teaching dream a reality.

Requirements for Elementary School Teachers in Virginia

Virginia requires teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, to fulfill a student internship for hands-on experience, and to complete a series of state-mandated assessments based on endorsement area and license type. This could include the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), for example, and any relevant Praxis Subject Assessments. 

The time it takes to become an elementary school teacher in Virginia will vary from person to person. If you’re just coming out of high school and know you want to go into education, the process could take 4 years or longer as you work to earn your bachelor’s degree at the same time you earn your teaching license.  

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, the process could be much faster. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, for example, can be completed in as little as 9 months. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions, monthly start dates, and optional financing or interest-free payment plans.

Steps to Becoming an Elementary School Teacher in Virginia

Reciprocity

The Virginia Department of Education has a list of state-approved Educator Preparation Programs, but if you complete another EPP, like Moreland University’s 100% online  TEACH-NOW program, you could earn your teaching certification in another state and use reciprocity to transfer the license to Virginia. 

Here’s an example of the reciprocity process through Washington, D.C.: 

Step 1: Earn your bachelor’s degree. This degree does not necessarily have to be in education.  

Step 2: Complete an EPP. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is fully accredited, 100% online, and can be completed in as little as 9 months.  

Step 3: Pass the required certification exams in D.C.  

Step 4: Submit your fingerprints and pass a background check.  

Step 5: Complete and submit your application for a D.C. teacher certification.  

Step 6: Apply to transfer your license to Virginia. 

It’s important to note this is just one example of a potential path to licensure, and the specific steps may vary from person to person. For more detailed information, visit the Virginia Department of Education website.

In-State Licensure Process

Step 1: Earn your bachelor’s degree. 

Step 2: Complete content-area knowledge coursework. 

Step 3: Complete professional studies coursework. 

Step 4: Pass the required licensure exams. 

Step 5: Complete a student teaching experience.  

Step 6: Complete the statutory licensure requirements, which include cultural competency training, dyslexia awareness training, emergency first aid and CPR, and child-abuse-prevention training, to name a few.  

In Virginia, you can go through an approved traditional route to licensure or an alternative route. Again, this is just an example of a potential path. For more information and details, visit the Virginia Department of Education website. 

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You

Reciprocity could be the ideal path for you if:  

• You are licensed in another state but plan to teach in Virginia. 
• You prefer the flexibility of an out-of-state EPP, such as Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program.

Every teacher is different, and it’s important to consider your options, your career goals, and your individual wants and needs as you plan your path to the classroom.

Can You Become an Elementary School Teacher in Virginia Without an Education Degree?

The short answer is yes! Virginia requires teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but that degree does not necessarily have to be in education. Many aspiring teachers have a bachelor’s degree in another subject and only find their passion for teaching later in their career.   

If that sounds like you, Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is designed to help you make the transition to teaching as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Kickstart Your Teaching Career in Virginia

Virginia is projecting an average of more than 2,300 open jobs every year for elementary school teachers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teachers in the Old Dominion State enjoy comprehensive benefits, long-term job stability and growth, and supportive mentorship and development programs from the state.  

If you have a passion for teaching, if you’re eager to make a lasting difference and change student lives for the better, now may be the perfect time to make the leap.

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Earn your professional teaching license in as little as 9 months with Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions, monthly start dates, and optional payment plans or financing. 

The no-cost application takes about 15 minutes to complete, and you typically hear back within 2 business days.