Dear FAST TRAINers,

I have gotten a final confirmation from the endorsement office regarding 
the new procedure to add an endorsement to a new licensure application.  
The short answer is - YES - you can take the Praxis 2 subject test for 
the area you would like to get an add-on endorsement.  You do not 
necessarily need undergraduate coursework in that subject to get the 
add-on endorsement.

This means, if you would like to add an endorsement to your ESL or 
Elementary license in secondary subject or middle school subjects, you 
can take the appropriate Praxis II test to get licensed in that area. 
VDOE will not review your undergraduate coursework to ensure eligibility.

A complete list of Praxis tests that can be used to earn an add-on 
endorsement is here: http://ets.org/praxis/va/requirements under "Middle 
School" and "Secondary"

Exceptions:

If you majored in English, Math, Chemistry, Biology, or Physics you do 
not need to take a Praxis II test for these add on endorsements. Your 
undergraduate major is enough to earn the add-on endorsements in these 
areas.

IMPORTANT CAVEAT

This rule is only in place for teachers who are submitting their initial 
licensure application and this procedure may disappear at any moment.  
The Praxis II route is only being allowed because of teacher shortages 
in some of these areas.  If you want to use this route to earn add-on 
endorsements to your license you should try to apply for your license as 
soon as possible.  You must include Praxis II scores for all add-on 
endorsements (plus an additional $25 for each add-on endorsement) with 
your initial licensure application.  

Additional questions about add-on endorsements should be directed to the 
licensure specialist at [log in to unmask]

Thanks,
Jennifer

References:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/adding_endorsements.pdf
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/licensure_regs.pdf


-- 
Jennifer Coarts
Coordinator, FAST TRAIN Programs
George Mason University
4260 Chain Bridge Road, A1
Fairfax, VA 22030

Ph: 1-703-993-3602    Fax: 1-703-246-8996

http://fasttrain.gmu.edu