Elementary School Teacher / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Virginia data shows for Elementary School Teachers

To practice as an elementary school teacher in Virginia, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Virginia's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

Upfront cost is $122, with renewal running $82 on a 5-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 150-hour continuing-education requirement per 5-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
55/100
Elementary School 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$122
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$16/yr
$82 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$122
Renewal Fee
$82
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Elementary School 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 Elementary School Teacher in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $122 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed elementary school teacher in Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to Virginia from another state? ▼
For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Virginia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Virginia require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Virginia does require a background check before issuing an elementary school teacher license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in Virginia? ▼
To stay licensed as an elementary school teacher in Virginia, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $82.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Virginia's elementary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Elementary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state elementary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

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.