Licensure Requirments (VA)
Completion of the School Counseling program leads to eligibility for the Pupil Personnel Services License in Virginia with an endorsement in School Counseling. The Director of Clinical Placements and Licensure in the Office of Teacher Education and Community Engagement will assist students with processing license applications in Virginia. Virginia School Counseling Licensure standards and requirements can be found on-line at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/school_counseling/index.shtml . Candidates seeking licensure or endorsement in states other than Virginia are responsible for reviewing and understanding applicable licensure requirements from those states.
Graduates with two years of successful full-time teaching will receive a five-year renewable license. Graduates without the two years of teaching will receive the Virginia Department of Education’s Letter of Eligibility; this allows graduates to be employed as a school counselor while accruing two years of school counseling experience in lieu of two years of full-time teaching. At the end of the two years, graduates can receive a renewable Pupil Personnel Services license.
CPR/AED/First Aid Training - Candidates seeking an initial license in Virginia are required to complete training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of an automated external defibrillator, and first aid. Training courses are available through national emergency care organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. As of July 1, 2017, the training must contain “hands on” training. Documentation of training (typically in the form of a current certification card) must be provided to the Office of Teacher Education and Community Engagement as part of the licensure application packet.
