West Virginia Substitute Teaching Permit
West Virginia offers three substitute teaching permits, Restricted Short-Term, Short-Term, and Long-Term, each tied to a different education level and day limit in the same classroom. The West Virginia Department of Education sets the rules, but you apply through your local county school district, not directly through the state. Every path requires a background check, state-mandated training, and an application through the WVDE Certification Portal.
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West Virginia used to run substitute licensing as a two-tier system. It’s now three, and the middle tier didn’t exist the last time this page was updated. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) still sets the eligibility rules, but the actual hiring and training happens at the county level, so the process starts with a phone call to a district HR office, not a form to the state.
Substitute teaching remains one of the more accessible entry points into a West Virginia classroom. You don’t need a full Professional Teaching Certificate, and depending on which permit you qualify for, you may not even need a finished bachelor’s degree. Many substitutes use the role as a bridge into full certification, including through West Virginia’s alternative teaching certification route for career-changers who already hold a degree.
Use the links below to jump to permit types, the application process, endorsements, and exam requirements.
- West Virginia’s three substitute teaching permits
- How to apply for a substitute teaching permit
- Endorsements for long-term substitutes
- Examination requirements
West Virginia’s Three Substitute Teaching Permits
The permit you qualify for depends on how far along you are in your education and how many consecutive days you want to cover the same classroom. All three require a minimum 2.0 GPA.
| Permit | Education Required | Classroom Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permit | Associate degree, or at least 60 semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree, 2.0 GPA | Up to 10 consecutive days in the same classroom |
| Short-Term Substitute Teaching Permit | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, 2.0 GPA | Up to 30 consecutive days in the same classroom |
| Long-Term Substitute Teaching Permit | Bachelor’s degree, 2.0 GPA, plus completed coursework in a specialization area | More than 30 consecutive days in the same classroom |
The Restricted Short-Term permit is the newer addition, and it’s the one that opens the door to candidates who haven’t finished a four-year degree yet. It’s meant for shorter coverage gaps, not a full semester in someone else’s classroom.
Want to learn how to become a certified teacher in West Virginia? Explore the full range of certification paths, including traditional and alternative routes.
How to Apply for a Substitute Teaching Permit
Contact Your Local School District First
Before you file anything with the state, call the human resources office at the county school district where you want to work. Each district manages its own substitute pool and can tell you which permit tier fits your situation, what openings exist, and which training track to enroll in.
Complete State-Mandated Training
Applicants are currently required to complete 18 clock hours of state-approved training, covering state and local policies, classroom management, content standards and objectives, and an overview of school law. WVDE offers self-paced online courses through its WVLearns eLearning platform, and some districts run their own county-authorized training instead. Your HR contact will point you to the right option.
- State and Local Policies
- Classroom Management
- Content Standards and Objectives
- Overview of School Law
Verify Work Eligibility and Pass a Background Check
Every candidate must confirm eligibility to work in the United States by submitting a federal I-9 form along with two acceptable forms of identification, such as a passport and a driver’s license. You’ll also need to clear a criminal history background check through West Virginia and the FBI. Your county school district or the WVDE will provide instructions for completing the required fingerprinting and criminal background check, which is typically scheduled digitally through the state’s fingerprinting vendor. The process runs slightly differently depending on whether you already live in West Virginia or you’re applying from out of state.
Submit Your Application
Most substitute permit applicants complete the WVDE application form that matches their specific permit type, following guidance from their employing county school district, through the WVDE Certification Portal. Listing every institution you attended, the degrees you earned, and any endorsement areas that apply is standard across these applications. Your application also needs a recommendation from the superintendent of the district that intends to hire you. There’s also a notarized background-check release form and, for first-time applicants, a character reference form.
Application and background-check fees apply and are paid through the Certification Portal. Contact the WVDE substitute permit page or your county HR office for the current fee schedule and mailing details if a paper submission is still needed for your situation.
Endorsements for Long-Term Substitutes
Long-term substitute endorsements generally require qualifying coursework in the endorsement area, such as 12 semester hours where applicable, subject to current WVDE requirements. A substitute with a mathematics degree, for example, may qualify for a mathematics endorsement, which matters if a district wants that substitute covering a specific subject for an extended stretch rather than general classroom supervision.
Examination Requirements
Unlike many full teacher certification pathways, West Virginia does not require substitute teacher applicants to pass a Praxis exam. Some individual training programs include their own knowledge checks along the way, but those are internal to the training, not a state licensing exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to substitute teach in West Virginia?
Not necessarily. The Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permit only requires an associate degree or 60 completed semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree, with a 2.0 GPA. A finished bachelor’s degree is required for the Short-Term and Long-Term permits.
Does West Virginia require the Praxis exam for substitute teachers?
No. West Virginia does not require substitute teacher applicants to pass a Praxis exam, unlike many full teacher certification pathways.
How many days can a substitute teacher cover the same classroom?
It depends on your permit. Restricted Short-Term permit holders can cover up to 10 consecutive days in the same classroom, Short-Term permit holders up to 30, and Long-Term permit holders can continue beyond 30 days.
Do I apply for a substitute permit through the state or through the school district?
Both, but in a specific order. Start with the HR office at your local county school district, since they determine which permit and training track fits their opening. Your formal application still goes to the WVDE through its Certification Portal.
Where can I get more information on West Virginia substitute permits?
The WVDE certification website covers current permit types and application steps. The certification office can also be reached toll-free at 1-800-982-2378.
- West Virginia now has three substitute permit tiers, not two — Restricted Short-Term, Short-Term, and Long-Term, each with its own education requirement and day limit.
- The process starts at the county level — contact your local district’s HR office before filing anything with the WVDE.
- No Praxis exam required — substitute permits skip the testing requirement that full certification candidates face.
- Background checks and work eligibility verification are mandatory — fingerprinting, an FBI and state criminal history check, and a federal I-9 form are part of every application.
- Long-term substitutes can generally add subject endorsements — qualifying coursework in the endorsement area, such as 12 semester hours where applicable, subject to current WVDE requirements.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in West Virginia, including options that can help you move from substitute teaching into a full Professional Teaching Certificate.
