Overall, the demand for kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in the state of Virginia will experience a 15 to 23 percent increase from 2008 through 2018, according to the Virginia Workforce Connection. Prospective physical education teachers in Virginia must receive a Health and Physical Education teaching license in order to work in the field. The Virginia Department of Education handles the state's physical-education-teacher licensing program.
Education
A minimum of a bachelor's degree is necessary to gain licensing as a physical education teacher in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Education approves colleges that satisfy the requirements of the licensing program. As of 2010, 15 postsecondary institutions offered approved physical-education-teaching programs. Among these were the public institutions of George Mason University, Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, University of Virginia and Virginia State University. Private institutions also featured approved programs, including Averett University, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, Emory and Henry College, Ferrum College, Hampton University, Liberty University, Roanoke College and Virginia Intermont College. Baccalaureate degree programs in physical education typically require four years of full-time study to complete. A student-teaching internships is usually necessary for graduation.
Examinations
Applicants for physical-education-teaching licensure in Virginia must also pass a series of tests known as the Professional Teacher's Assessment. The first section of the test, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, measures prospective educators' basic reading and writing skills. The reading section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, while the writing section requires test takers to complete an additional 40 multiple-choice questions along with three essay questions. Physical education teachers must also pass the Education Testing Services Praxis II Health and Physical Education Content Knowledge exam. This test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions and requires roughly two hours to complete.
Alternate Requirements
Prospective physical-education teachers who meet certain requirements may have the ability to bypass the otherwise mandatory certification exams. Teachers who have a health and physical-education teaching license from another state can qualify for a Virginia license upon confirmation of the validity of their credentials. Individuals who receive a recommendation from a Virginia public or private school can receive a temporary three-year license provided they complete a set number of postsecondary courses or participate in a student-teaching placement. Temporary-license recipients can then complete the remaining requirements for certification in order to receive their full teaching license.
Additional Requirements
Regardless of whether they complete traditional or alternate licensing requirements, all Virginia physical-education teachers must meet certain additional requirements. All applicants for licensure must pass a criminal background check. They must also fill out an application and remit an application fee. Additionally, all prospective educators in Virginia must complete one of three Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention Training programs approved by the state. In-person and online courses are available.
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