Virginia Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Virginia: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Virginia guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Virginia
Special education training is the foundation of every effective Virginia classroom — and the need is urgent. About 185,000 students, or 14–15% of Virginia’s K–12 enrollment, are currently identified as receiving disability services. VDOE special education programs are evolving rapidly: the department published a landmark 2024 Roadmap for Special Education focused on recruitment, retention, and high-quality instruction for all learners.
To earn your Virginia teaching license with a special education endorsement, you must meet requirements set by the VDOE:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution through a VDOE-approved educator preparation program
- Complete a student teaching placement aligned with your endorsement area
- Pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)
- Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment for your endorsement area and the Praxis Teaching Reading assessment
- Complete Dyslexia Awareness Training — free VDOE-approved modules available through ODU’s joint VDOE webpage
- Apply through Virginia Licensure Online (VALO)
Virginia issues three license types: the Provisional License (3-year, non-renewable), the Collegiate Professional License (renewable, standard path), and the Postgraduate Professional License (for graduate degree holders). The Career Switcher Program offers an alternative special education training pathway for professionals with five or more years of work experience.
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Continuing Education & License Renewal in Virginia
Virginia Collegiate Professional License holders renew every five years by earning 180 Professional Teaching Points (PTPs). PTPs must align with the teacher’s individual Professional Development Plan and division priorities. Meaningful special education training covering IEP skills, assessment expertise, or disability law, is among the most valuable PTPs a Virginia educator can log.
NASET state-level approval for Virginia is pending, estimated Q2 2026, and not yet confirmed. Virginia educators can submit NASET course information directly to their division professional development office using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. NASET’s library of special education training resources is among the most comprehensive available for district-level approval requests.
Contact careercenter@naset.org to be notified when Virginia state approval is finalized, or download the free Admin Approval Guide to request division-level credit now.
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Special Education Teacher Salary in Virginia
Virginia educators in this field earn competitive compensation across the state’s 134 school districts.
- Average statewide salary: ~$60,574–$60,990/year (ZipRecruiter/Glassdoor, 2026)
- Typical range: $49,600–$74,896
- Top earners (90th percentile): up to $89,946
- Arlington: 15.3% above state average — among the highest-paying localities
- Most districts provided 3–5% increases in 2025–26
VDOE special education’s 2024 Roadmap prioritizes educator recruitment and retention, meaning districts actively compete for well-credentialed teachers.
Explore the State-by-State Guide to compare Virginia with other states.
IEPs in Virginia
Virginia follows all federal IDEA requirements through the VDOE Division of Special Education and Student Services, with key state-specific provisions:
- Virginia uses Standards-Based IEPs, goals aligned directly with state grade-level content standards
- IEPs must be developed collaboratively and reviewed annually, with reevaluations every three years
- Transition planning is required beginning at age 16, covering post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
- HB1089/SB220 (2024) requires each school board to designate a parent/family liaison to support families through the IEP process
- Virginia secured $52.8M in supplemental disability education funding in 2025, a step toward closing the state’s $480M gap
Strong IEP writing begins with strong special education training. Browse examples at NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country and download the NASET Completed Sample IEP as a practical reference.
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Key Resources for Virginia Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- VDOE Division of Special Education: doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/special-education
- Virginia Licensure Online (VALO): doe.virginia.gov/teaching-in-virginia/licensure
- VDOE IEP Resources: doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/special-education/iep
- NASET Forms & Checklists: naset.com/forms
- NASET Assessment Series: naset.com/assessment
- NASET Annual & Triennial Reviews: naset.com/annual-triennial
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET is the leading professional organization for disability educators in the U.S. For Virginia educators, NASET membership means access to the most comprehensive special education training library available — board certifications, expert-led webinars, IEP tools, and assessment resources aligned with VDOE special education standards.
All certifications — including the BCSE, BCASE, and BCIEP — can be submitted to your division PD office with AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. State-level approval is expected Q2 2026 — email careercenter@naset.org to be notified the moment it’s confirmed.
Whether you’re earning your Collegiate Professional License, deepening IEP expertise, or advancing your career in Virginia’s disability education field, NASET is your partner.
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