Under W. Va. Code §18A-3-10, applicants for initial licensure in the state of West Virginia are required to undergo a criminal history investigation completed by both the West Virginia State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Therefore, it is necessary for ALL first time applicants to complete a fingerprint card and submit it to the West Virginia Department of Education upon application.  A fingerprint card can be mailed to you.  Once you receive the fingerprint card, please take it to a local police station and request that they assist you in the process.  Be sure to complete the back of the card, including your signature, and submit it with your initial application to the WVDE.

Form 7

A Form 7 must accompany ALL fingerprint cards and initial applications.  In addition to granting the West Virginia Department of Education permission to review records received from the WV State Police and FBI, the Form 7 can used to request that an applicant’s WV State Police fingerprint results be forwarded to a WV County School System.  There is a $34 processing fee* associated with the background investigation.

Form 4B

Use the Form 4B to obtain a character recommendation from a person other than a WV County Superintendent.  If you are employed in a educational setting, please obtain the recommendation of your immediate supervisor.  However, if you are not employed in an educational setting, you can obtain a recommendation from an employer or community leader.

Form 20T

Use this form to request from an institution a recommendation that an applicant has completed an approved teacher preparation program in the state of West Virginia or when applying based on reciprocity (possession of a valid out of state license).

Form 20A

Use this form to request from an institution a recommendation that an applicant has completed an approved teacher preparation program in a state other than West Virginia.

Instructions for Submitting an Initial Application

1

Download and complete all applicable applications.

Complete just one Information Sheet and attach all applicable applications.

2

Request a fingerprint card from the WVDE and complete that process with a local police station or county board of education.

3

Download and complete a Form 4B if you are not employed by WV county board of education.

If you are employed in a educational setting, please obtain the recommendation of your immediate supervisor.  However, if you are not employed in an educational setting, you can obtain a recommendation from an employer or community leader.

4

Download and complete a Form 7 (Release of Information).

Use this form to request that a WV county of board of education receive a copy of the results from your WV State Police background investigation.

5

Include original seal-bearing transcripts from all institutions attended.

6

If you are applying based on certification in another state, include a copy of the certificate issued by that state.

7

Include a check or money order made payable to the WVDE in the appropriate amount.

Be sure to include the $34 processing fee* for the background investigation and a $25 processing fee* for EACH application attached to the Information Sheet.

8

Mail all of the documents, including the completed fingerprint card to the WVDE.

West Virginia Department of Education
Office of Professional Preparation
Building 6, Room 252
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305