Extension of Licenses Expiring June 30, 2021
House Bill 1776, passed by the 2021 General Assembly and signed by the Governor, allows the Board of Education to temporarily grant a two-year extension for all licenses expiring on June 30, 2021. Procedures to request extensions will be posted on the Department of Education’s website soon.
New Requirements Effective July 1, 2021
House Bill 1904 and Senate Bill 1196 (identical bills) were passed by the 2021 General Assembly and signed by the Governor. The bills create the following new, additional requirements for license renewal, as well as for individuals seeking an initial license, effective July 1, 2021:
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Every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license shall complete instruction or training in cultural competency; and
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Every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license with an endorsement in history and social sciences shall complete instruction in African American history, as prescribed by the Board.
The Board of Education will prescribe Interim Guidelines for these requirements in the spring of 2021, and upon approval, additional information on meeting these requirements will be posted on the Department of Education’s website. The Interim Guidance will later be replaced by the Board with updated guidance and regulatory language.
License Renewals
Individuals who hold Board of Education renewable licenses expiring June 30, 2021, and who have met all current renewal requirements, should submit renewal requests, to be received by the Department of Education as soon as possible, but no later than June 30, 2021. All renewal applications received after June 30, 2021 will be subject to new, additional statutory requirements that become effective on July 1, 2021. License holders employed by Virginia school divisions or accredited nonpublic schools should work with their employing educational agencies to ensure their renewal requests are submitted to the Licensure Office at the Virginia Department of Education as soon as possible but no later than June 30, 2021.
Alternatively, individuals whose renewable license expires June 30, 2021 and who may not have met all renewal requirements, may request a two-year extension, pursuant to House Bill 1776, but will be subject to new, additional statutory requirements that are effective July 1, 2021.
Any questions related to licensure should be directed to the Department of Teacher Education and Licensure at licensure@doe.virginia.gov.
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