Career Switcher Prerequisites

An Alternative Path to Teacher Licensure

VCCS Career Switchers Prerequisites

1. You must have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally  accredited institution.
2. You should have a GPA of 2.5 or better in courses applicable to the content area for endorsement.  
3. For ESL only, you must have a minimum of six semester hours in a language other than your home language.
4. You must have a minimum of five years of professional work experience or its equivalent in addition to your degree.  Your work history will be evaluated in terms of of your experience, maturity, professional background, or an ability to apply your career experiences in the classroom.
5. You must have successfully completed the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and Praxis II assessments at prescribed levels. The VCLA assesses reading and writing proficiency; PRAXIS II is the content specialty exam. With passing scores on Praxis II you can become endorsed in any content area without further coursework .  (NOTE:  There is no Praxis II for ESL.)
6. You must be willing to provide the results of a criminal background check prior to field placement or employment in the classroom.
7. You do not currently have a Provisional License or expired Provisional License from the VDOE or you have never held a teaching license in another state. 

You must pass Praxis II in the content area for which you wish to become endorsed.  Individuals are required to pass Praxis II in only the initial endorsement area, and may become endorsed in a second area by meeting the course-content or degree requirements as outlined in the Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel.