Substitute Teacher / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board category estimate

Virginia Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Category-average requirements, fees, and renewal figures for substitute teacher in Virginia, pending confirmation with the state licensing board.

Category estimate. The figures on this page are a category average, not yet confirmed with the Virginia licensing board. The state and profession tables mark this row the same way. Treat the numbers as directional and check the board before relying on them; see the methodology limitations.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Fills in for absent teachers. Requirements range from diploma to license.

What the Virginia data shows for Substitute Teachers

Virginia's path to substitute teacher licensure runs through 2,000 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

The initial price tag is $100 every 5 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Virginia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Virginia reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Degree
2,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Substitute Teacher All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, the license path calls for 2000 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Substitute Teacher in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a substitute teacher in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 2000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Virginia doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for substitute teachers; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Virginia licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Virginia require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing a substitute teacher license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in Virginia is one requirement row in a substitute teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.