Substitute Teacher / West Virginia
2026 data West Virginia board official source

West Virginia Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

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

What the West Virginia data shows for Substitute Teachers

West Virginia sets the entry bar for substitute teachers at 2,000 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under West Virginia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

The initial price tag is $100 every 5 years. West Virginia doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

West Virginia evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · West 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 West 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 West Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with West Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in West Virginia? ▼
In West 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 West Virginia? ▼
Certification as a substitute teacher in West Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 2000 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The West Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Out-of-state substitute teacher credentials get a case-by-case review in West Virginia rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the West Virginia licensing board.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
West 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 West 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 West 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.