West VirginiaWest Virginia teachers can meet principal certificate requirements through experience and training
Starting July 1, 2026, teachers with 15 years at a school level can meet principal certificate requirements after completing a year-long state program.
What it does
Teachers with at least 15 years of experience at the elementary, middle, or high school level can meet principal certificate requirements through a year-long state program, if they complete it successfully.
Argument forExperienced teachers may meet certificate requirements through a state program focused on skills they would use to lead a school.
Argument againstTeachers may have to complete a full year of training after 15 years of teaching, which could make this route harder to finish.
More detail
The law lets a teacher meet principal certificate requirements through 15 years of teaching and a year-long state program. The route covers elementary, middle, and high school principal certificates. Teaching experience must be at the same school level as the certificate sought. The teacher must successfully complete a program developed and administered by the West Virginia Department of Education. The program must ensure the teacher demonstrates skill in school administration, including leading instruction, managing school finances and staff, handling student discipline, and understanding school law. These certificate requirements apply beginning July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Chapter 253, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 27Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026Major
- Mar 18To Governor 3/18/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - Senate JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/27/2026 - House JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/18/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14Passed House (Roll No. 602)Passed House
- Mar 14Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 14On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 13On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 3/12/2026
- Mar 11On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Mar 10Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 10Immediate consideration
- Mar 10Do pass
- Mar 8Markup Discussion
- Feb 23To House EducationMinor
- Feb 23To EducationMinor
- Feb 23Introduced in HouseMinor
- Feb 23House received Senate message
- Feb 21Ordered to House
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 21Passed Senate (Roll No. 189)Passed Senate
- Feb 21Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 21On 3rd reading
- Feb 20Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 20On 2nd reading
- Feb 19Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 19On 1st reading
- Feb 18Committee substitute reported
- Feb 10To EducationMinor
- Feb 10Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 10To EducationMinor
- Feb 10Filed for introductionIntroduced
Education