The end of the school year is an important time to check your teaching certification status for possible
renewal. All licenses and certificates expire on June 30th of their last valid year. After your initial licensure period, you will need to renew your license. Don’t risk losing your license and your job because of an expired certificate or permit.

A few tips to guide you through the renewal process:

• Be sure to read the information on your license carefully and make sure it’s accurate. Keep a copy of your teaching license in your personal files. Your employer is not responsible for notifying you of expiring certification.
• In order to renew a professional certificate an applicant must complete six semester hours of appropriate college/university coursework reflecting a 3.0 GPA and related to the public school program as defined in Policy 5202 unless the applicant holds a minimum of an M.A. plus 30 salary classification based on the awarding of a master’s degree. The coursework for conversion must have been completed after the issuance of the certificate being converted (the process to upgrade from one level of certificate to another) and within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application.
• Your certificate may also be renewed by completing two WVDE e-learning courses and earning two certificates of completion. Keep in mind that the e-learning renewal option will only renew your certificate. The e-learning option will not count toward hours needed to advance on the salary scale. Renewal by college coursework will count towards renewing your certificate and as hours needed to advance on the salary scale.
• The college renewal option requires six semester hours of appropriate college coursework related to the public school program and must meet one of the following options: 1) courses relevant to a master’s degree in a curriculum related to the public school program, 2) courses related to the improvement of instruction and the applicant’s current endorsement areas, 3) courses needed to qualify for an additional endorsement or 4) credit prescribed by the county as a result of an applicant’s evaluation.
• Waivers of the renewal requirement will be granted only for extenuating circumstances. The lack of knowledge or understanding of the renewal requirements is not a valid reason for requesting a waiver.
• The WVDE maintains a certification section on their website. Many of your questions can be answered there. If you still have certification-related questions, you may also contact the WVDE’s Certification Toll-Free Line at 1-800-982-2378.