License Updates

Add/Remove Endorsement(s) from Teaching License

The Virginia Licensure Regulations for School Personnel allow a license holder to add an endorsement based on verification of the completion of an approved program for that endorsement or the inclusion of the new endorsement on a full, renewable out-of-state license. If neither of the above applies, an evaluation for the endorsement must be requested by the employing Virginia school division. Review the requirements to add an endorsement at the Code of Virginia.

Added endorsements are available through the following options:

• Completing the courses for an additional major in the new area with specific requirements met; or

• Completing the requirements for a designated add-on endorsement (Driver Education, Gifted Education, Algebra I, etc.); or

• A passing score on a Praxis test in an area for which Virginia requires a Praxis II test (except Elementary and Special Education). If the individual holds a Provisional License, the Praxis test for their original endorsement must be completed before additional endorsements can be added through testing. This route is not an option for areas that do not require a Praxis assessment (Special Education, Latin, etc.) This route is not an option for the elementary education endorsement (PK–3 or PK–6).

Steps to add an endorsement(s):

• Teachers request adding an endorsement by using the License Change Request Form. Paul Van Auken will contact you for more information or next steps. 

• Use VALO (VALO User Guide) to request the addition of an endorsement with VDOE. Paper applications are no longer used for adding an endorsement request. There is a $50 fee for adding an endorsement.

• Send documents to Paul Van Auken, HR Licensure Specialist:

  • Official transcripts (option 1 and 2). These should be sent directly to the Licensure Specialist from the university, typically via email.
  • Praxis Score Report (option 3). This can be scanned and emailed by the teacher.
  • For Admin/Supervision, Reading Specialist, and Library Media, a College Verification Form is needed. The teacher completes Part 1, and the university completes the other applicable parts.

Removal of endorsement(s):

• Discuss with your Principal your desire to drop an endorsement before contacting the HCPS licensure office.

• Please submit a written request addressed to the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, to the HCPS licensure office and include in your written request that you desire dropping an endorsement with a statement that includes, “I am aware that there will be a fee to evaluate/add this endorsement back in the future and that I will have to meet the requirements at the time the endorsement is requested.”

Adding a Degree

Steps to add a degree:

● Teachers request adding a degree by using the License Change Request Form. Paul Van Auken will contact you for more information or next steps. 

● Use VALO (VALO User Guide) to request the addition of a degree with VDOE. Paper applications are no longer used for adding a degree request. There is a $25 fee for adding a degree.

• Send documents to Paul Van Auken, HR Licensure Specialist:

  • Official transcripts- These should be sent directly to the Licensure Specialist from the university, typically via email.

• If you wish to change your license from a Collegiate Professional to a Postgraduate Professional license and add an endorsement, the payment on VALO will be $75.

• To receive the additional compensation for earning a graduate level degree, the notification of receiving such degree must be forwarded to the Human Resources Department no later than December 1 in order to process the paperwork to assure that your salary adjustment will be effective for the current school year.

Changing Your Name

You may change the name on your license at any time. This request can be completed on VALO (VALO User Guide). If the request is in conjunction with an additional license request, there will be no additional cost for this change. However, there will be a $25.00 charge to process any name change requests not associated with a license renewal or other action.