Elementary School Teacher / West Virginia
2026 data West Virginia board official source

West 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 West Virginia data shows for Elementary School Teachers

Becoming a licensed elementary school teacher in West Virginia means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. West Virginia regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

The initial price tag is $96, and renewal costs $68 every 5 years. 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
59/100
Elementary School 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 N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$96
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$14/yr
$68 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 West Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$96
Renewal Fee
$68
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 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 Elementary School Teacher in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia requires, passing an exam (State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $96. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia licenses elementary school teachers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the West Virginia licensing board.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to West Virginia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for elementary school teachers nationally works like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into West Virginia. Verify the specifics with the West Virginia licensing board.
Does West Virginia require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
West 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 West Virginia? ▼
West Virginia ties continued elementary school teacher licensure to 150 continuing-education hours, due every 5 years, alongside a $68 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in West Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school 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.