Who certifies?
Teacher certification is administered by the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBOE). Hiring is handled separately by the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE).
VIBOE certification
Guide
Photo: Gary Todd, CC0 · credits
Certification roadmap
Every public school teacher in the territory must hold — or be eligible for — a valid, in-field Virgin Islands teaching certificate. Here is how the process fits together.
Certificate types
VIBOE lists a Substitute Teacher Pool, Professional Educator Class I and Professional Educator Class II. Your education and experience determine where you start.
How to applyPraxis tests
Candidates pass the Praxis® tests for their certification area. Required tests and qualifying scores are published by ETS for the Virgin Islands.
ETS VI requirementsThe core requirements, in plain English
The Board's published general requirements for initial certification boil down to five building blocks. Rules change, so treat this as orientation and confirm details in the current VIBOE certification rules before you submit anything.
| Requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | From an accredited or approved institution. Your official transcripts must be sent directly by each college. |
| Education coursework | Elementary: 36 semester credits in education. Secondary: 26. Areas include foundations of education, educational psychology, curriculum & methods (at least 18 credits), educational technology, special education and 6–12 credits of student teaching. |
| Praxis | Pass the Praxis test(s) for your certification area. Check the ETS Virgin Islands page for the current test codes and qualifying scores. |
| Work eligibility | Proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency or other approved work status. |
| Virgin Islands history | Professionals hired after the 1991–92 school year complete a Virgin Islands history course within the first year of employment. |
A note on old information: the archived teachusvi.net listed “Praxis I” paper-based passing scores from the 2000s. Praxis I has since been replaced by newer tests, so those numbers no longer apply. Always use the live ETS page.
Want the whole story, including timelines and common mistakes? Read our in-depth article: How to Get Teacher Certification in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Interactive
Your 12-step certification checklist
Tick steps as you go. Your progress is saved privately in this browser — nothing is sent to us.
0 of 12 steps complete
Want an expert to check your file?
Our Certification Pathway Consulting reviews your transcripts against the rules and gives you a personal action plan.