Virginia Credential Guide
English as a Second Language PreK-12 Endorsement Requirements in Virginia
Issued by Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Board of Education.
Virginia offers an approved ESL teacher-preparation route and a specified 24-semester-hour coursework route. Compare the route evidence you already have.
Official sources reviewed . Requirements can change, so confirm your route with the issuing agency before enrolling.
Virginia ESL Preparation
Choose an Approved Program or Audit 24 Semester Hours
Virginia's current ESL endorsement rule offers an approved teacher-preparation program route and a bachelor's-degree-plus-coursework route. The coursework route calls for 24 semester hours across specified areas, so a certificate with the right total but the wrong distribution may leave gaps.
Ask the institution to name the Virginia-approved ESL endorsement program and explain how it documents completion for licensure.
Map credits to literacy, linguistics, cross-cultural education, second-language acquisition, ESL methods, assessment and electives under 8VAC20-23-350.
Send the course map to the Virginia licensure office for a route review before paying for missing credits. The endorsement regulation defines qualifications; confirm the current application submission steps separately.
Virginia Board of Education, regulation effective November 6, 2025, checked September 29, 2026: 8VAC20-23-350 ESL endorsement rule.
Virginia Requirements
Virginia ESL Preparation Routes
Both routes sit within the state endorsement regulation. A bachelor’s degree is part of the entry requirement.
Entry and preparation
Virginia's regulation requires a bachelor's degree and either an approved ESL teacher-preparation program or the published coursework route.
Route choice
Virginia allows an approved teacher-preparation route or a separately described 24-semester-hour coursework route.
Virginia Requirements
What the 24-Hour Route Covers
If you use coursework, check the subject distribution as well as the total hours. A transcript total by itself cannot show that every area is covered.
Semester hours and subjects
The coursework route lists 24 semester hours across reading and writing, linguistics, cross-cultural education, second-language acquisition, ESL methods, assessment, and electives.