This application must be submitted once the applicant has secured employment in an appropriate teaching assignment. Submission allows the Office of Certification to verify that all educational, assessment, and professional requirements have been met in accordance with Policy 5202, HB 3125 (2025), and SB 765 (2025).
The Initial Licensure for Military Personnel (Form 20M) provides a pathway for qualifying veterans to apply for their Professional Teaching Certificate. In order to qualify, the following is required.
To receive an Initial Professional Teaching Certificate through the Qualifying Veterans pathway, applicants must:
Have approved eligibility through Form MR
Be employed in a properly posted teaching position in West Virginia public schools
Meet all required assessments or approved testing exemptions for the endorsement area
Provide official documentation verifying military service, education, job posting, and endorsements
Pass all West Virginia Board of Education required exams for the requested certificate and endorsement area
Have a county recommendation from the employing superintendent confirming placement in the appropriate endorsement area
General Requirements
To apply, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen or hold eligible documentation (see Policy 5202)
Be at least 18 years old
Be physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified
Be a qualifying veteran
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution aligned with the assigned teaching position
Education Level
Hold a bachelor’s degree with a qualifying GPA from an accredited college or university
Please note: Degree must be aligned with the assigned teaching position
Application Submission
For instructions on how to apply for a license to work in West Virginia public schools, follow the steps detailed on the certification application process page.