Starting point
Does West Virginia accept out-of-state teaching licenses?
An out-of-state license can open a path to West Virginia certification, but it does not transfer automatically. The state decides which certificate, endorsements, tests or additional requirements apply.
Your exact route can still depend on your license type, preparation, experience, subjects, grade levels and testing history.
How teacher license reciprocity works · Look up your current license
Keep your place
Your West Virginia application checklist
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What can change your path
- • Form 20R requires a valid, transferrable and renewable out-of-state professional teaching certificate
- • Form 20R requires an overall GPA of at least 2.5 for a bachelor's degree or 3.0 for a master's degree
- • Out-of-state preparation without a valid certificate uses the separate Form 20A route
- • Form 20A applicants need an accredited state-approved program, the preparing institution's recommendation and West Virginia's required licensure assessments
- • Transcripts must come from the college or university, not the applicant
- • An applicant not previously licensed through WVDE needs a new state and federal background check; an earlier check cannot be reused
- • The Form 20R certificate is valid for three years
What the state says
3 official sources
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Two separate applications
Form 20R is for a valid, transferrable and renewable out-of-state professional teaching certificate. Completing an out-of-state program without that certificate uses Form 20A instead.
GPA minimum
Form 20R requires an overall GPA of at least 2.5 for a bachelor's degree or 3.0 for a master's degree.
Program route testing
The Form 20A program route must meet Policy 5202, including West Virginia's required licensure assessments.
Core evidence
Both routes need official transcripts sent by the college or university. Form 20R adds a copy of the out-of-state certificate and either the employing county superintendent's recommendation or Form 4B.
Background check
An applicant not previously licensed through WVDE completes a state and federal background check after WVDE emails a code.
Application fee
The Form 20R application fee is $100, paid online and nonrefundable.
State certification help
3 guides
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. Your license plan keeps those details beside the state’s requirements and application steps.
One thing to know: Form 20R needs a valid, transferrable and renewable out-of-state professional teaching certificate and an overall GPA of at least 2.5 for a bachelor's degree or 3.0 for a master's degree. A person who completed out-of-state preparation without that certificate uses Form 20A, which must meet Policy 5202, including West Virginia's licensure assessments, and needs the preparing institution's recommendation.
Plan the whole move
Questions to answer before you apply
The application is only one part of the move. Check the costs, timing and records that can hold up an otherwise complete file.
Official sources
State agency material