Procedures for Certification

Because of the drastic shortage of technology education teachers in West Virginia, we have three ways that you can become certified to teach certain Technology Education courses:

1. The first, and most desirable option is to have a four-year degree from an accredited institution in Industrial Arts or Technology Education.

Fairmont State College is currently the only institution in West Virginia offering a defree program in Technology Education Teacher Preparation. Call Gary Bolyard at 304-367-4105 or email him at gbolyard@mail.fscwv.edu for more information.
Several colleges in surrounding states also offer technology education programs.
There are several scholarships for students wishing to become technology education teachers.

2. The second option is a Full-Time Permit for teaching. This provision allows for a person with a minimum of a bachelor's degree to obtain a certificate to teach any Technology Education courses for one year. They must complete a minimum of 6 semester hours in technology education. Teachers may renew the permit for 5 years while completing all of the college requirements for certification. Currently, it takes 36 credit hours from Fairmont State University to obtain the single teaching field endorsement in Technology Education.

3. The third option is to obtain an Authorization for teaching the foundation course, Foundations in Engineering. This provision allows for a person holding a Professional Teaching Certificate in specific subject areas to obtain a certificate to teach only Foundations in Engineering courses for one year. They must complete two WVDE sponsored workshops (1 week each). Teachers may renew the permit annually provided they attend WVDE sponsored professional development activities.