VA Requirements

Applicants requesting initial teaching licensure are required to achieve passing scores on professional teacher's assessments as prescribed by the board of education unless exemption on the basis of prior teaching experience is applicable.

The following tests are required for licensure:

• VCLA
• RVE (for elementary licensure)
• Praxis I (or approved substitute)
• Praxis II

Individuals who have completed a minimum of two years of full-time, successful teaching experience in an accredited public or nonpublic school (kindergarten through grade 12) in a state other than Virginia are exempted from the assessment requirement. Experience as a substitute teacher or as a teacher's aide is not acceptable experience to meet this exemption.

The Sweet Briar Education department requires passing Praxis I scores (or approved substitute) for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program, which typically occurs in January of the second year. The RVE (for elementary candidates) VCLA, and Praxis II must be successfully completed by the fall of the senior year in order to apply to the MAT program by February of the senior year.

VCLA

The Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is an assessment that measures basic communication and literacy skills for those individuals wanting to pursue teacher licensure through the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is required of all teaching licensure candidates. The passing score is a 470.

For more information about this assessment, as well as registration information, click here.

For practice tests, click here.

RVE

The Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) is a test that measures a candidate's knowledge of teaching reading to children. This assessment is required of all elementary teacher licensure candidates. The test code for the RVE is 5306. The passing score on the RVE is 157.

For more information about this assessment, as well as registration information, go to the www.ets.org website.

Praxis I and II

Registration Information

Please click here for registration information (how to register, test centers and dates, fees, registration changes, code lists and information for individuals with disabilities).

Praxis I Test Codes and Passing Scores

As of July 1, 1996, passing scores for Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments became the professional teacher's assessment for initial licensure in Virginia. In addition to Praxis I, applicants must present a passing score for a specialty area test (Praxis II). Please refer to the following information for a listing of the required tests and passing scores.

Individuals may now meet the Praxis I assessment requirement by achieving the scores established by the board of education on Oct. 26, 1995 for each of the three Praxis I tests — mathematics, reading and writing — OR by achieving the established composite scores on all three tests.

Combining PPST and CBT scores to achieve the composite will not be accepted. A minimum score on each of the tests is not required, provided the composite score is achieved. The SAT and ACT have been approved as alternate assessments for Praxis I.

Individuals may meet the Praxis I assessment requirement by achieving the scores established by the Board of Education on each of the three Praxis I tests individually or by achieving the established composite score on all three tests combined. A minimum score on each test is not required as long as the composite score is achieved.

(From www.ets.org/praxis/va/requirements/)

Praxis II Test Codes and Passing Scores

The following tests are required for the endorsement (teaching specialty) areas indicated. Individuals are required to satisfy the specialty area test(s) requirement for only one endorsement area, but it must match an endorsement area in which initial licensure is granted. The specialty area tests are listed under Praxis II tests in The Praxis Series registration bulletin. Note that there is no Praxis II test for theatre licensure.

Note: Test codes that begin with "5" or "6" are delivered in computer format; codes that begin with "0" or "1"  are delivered on paper. All tests are paper delivered unless otherwise noted.

(From: www.ets.org/praxis/va/requirements/)