{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/22.1-299.7_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/22.1-299.7_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/22.1-299.7_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/22.1-299.7_1.html"}],"law_id":80524,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80524,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7:1","catch_line":" (For effective date, see Acts 2022, cc. 549, 550, cl. 2) Microcredential program; reading specialists","history":"2022, cc. 549, 550.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall establish a microcredential program for the purpose of permitting any public elementary or secondary school teacher who holds a renewable or provisional license or any individual who participates in any alternate route to licensure program to earn a series of microcredentials in the reading specialist endorsement area. Such microcredential program shall require candidates to complete a performance-based assessment intended to allow the educator to demonstrate competency in evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research as well as the identification of and the appropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students with dyslexia or a related disorder.B\n\nThe Board shall issue guidance that determines how the series of microcredentials awarded to teachers pursuant to the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A will be used to award an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist. Any add-on endorsement that results from completion of such microcredential program shall be provisional for a period of five years.C\n\nA local school board may employ a teacher with an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist pursuant to this section to satisfy the requirement set forth in subsection G of &#xA7; 22.1-253.13:2 if the local school board is unable to employ a teacher with a full endorsement as a reading specialist.D\n\nTeachers who hold a renewable license and who participate, through the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A, in courses that do not contribute to an endorsement are eligible for professional development points toward renewal of their license for the number of in-person hours of coursework completed upon providing a certificate of such participation from the course provider.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":288489,"text":"The Department shall establish a microcredential program for the purpose of permitting any public elementary or secondary school teacher who holds a renewable or provisional license or any individual who participates in any alternate route to licensure program to earn a series of microcredentials in the reading specialist endorsement area. Such microcredential program shall require candidates to complete a performance-based assessment intended to allow the educator to demonstrate competency in evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research as well as the identification of and the appropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students with dyslexia or a related disorder.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":288490,"text":"The Board shall issue guidance that determines how the series of microcredentials awarded to teachers pursuant to the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A will be used to award an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist. Any add-on endorsement that results from completion of such microcredential program shall be provisional for a period of five years.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":288491,"text":"A local school board may employ a teacher with an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist pursuant to this section to satisfy the requirement set forth in subsection G of &#xA7; 22.1-253.13:2 if the local school board is unable to employ a teacher with a full endorsement as a reading specialist.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":288492,"text":"Teachers who hold a renewable license and who participate, through the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A, in courses that do not contribute to an endorsement are eligible for professional development points toward renewal of their license for the number of in-person hours of coursework completed upon providing a certificate of such participation from the course provider.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14223,"edition_id":1,"name":"Terms of Employment Generally","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12824,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:21","permalink":{"id":182951,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14223,"identifier":"2","token":"22.1\/15\/2","url":"\/22.1\/15\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12824,"edition_id":1,"name":"Teachers, Officers and Employees","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12823,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":182871,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12824,"identifier":"15","token":"22.1\/15","url":"\/22.1\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12823,"edition_id":1,"name":"Education","identifier":"22.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":180949,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12823,"identifier":"22.1","token":"22.1","url":"\/22.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":64907,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-293","catch_line":"School boards authorized to employ principals and assistant principals; license required; powers and duties","url":"\/22.1-293\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-293","metadata":false},{"id":67734,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-294","catch_line":"Probationary terms of service for principals, assistant principals, and supervisors; evaluation; reassigning principal, assistant principal, or supervisor to teaching position","url":"\/22.1-294\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-294","metadata":false},{"id":69191,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295","catch_line":"Employment of teachers","url":"\/22.1-295\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295","metadata":false},{"id":55436,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295.1","catch_line":"Employee personnel files; maintenance of employee records; confidentiality of certain records","url":"\/22.1-295.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295.1","metadata":false},{"id":56821,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-295.2","catch_line":"Employment discrimination prohibited","url":"\/22.1-295.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-295.2","metadata":false},{"id":75428,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296","catch_line":"Payment of employees; reimbursement for private transportation; certain sick leave policies","url":"\/22.1-296\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296","metadata":false},{"id":62723,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.1","catch_line":"Data on convictions for certain crimes and child abuse and neglect required; penalty","url":"\/22.1-296.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.1","metadata":false},{"id":74413,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.2","catch_line":"Fingerprinting required; reciprocity permitted","url":"\/22.1-296.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.2","metadata":false},{"id":55924,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.3","catch_line":"Certain private school employees subject to fingerprinting and criminal records checks","url":"\/22.1-296.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.3","metadata":false},{"id":69692,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.4","catch_line":"Child abuse and neglect data required","url":"\/22.1-296.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.4","metadata":false},{"id":59597,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-296.5","catch_line":"Employment verification required","url":"\/22.1-296.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-296.5","metadata":false},{"id":65919,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-297","catch_line":"Assignment of teachers, principals and assistant principals by superintendent","url":"\/22.1-297\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-297","metadata":false},{"id":86723,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-298\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298","metadata":false},{"id":71301,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2030) Regulations governing licensure","url":"\/22.1-298.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.1","metadata":false},{"id":59407,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.2","catch_line":"Regulations governing education preparation programs","url":"\/22.1-298.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.2","metadata":false},{"id":60838,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.2:1","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date \u2014 see note) Teacher employment data; education preparation programs","url":"\/22.1-298.2_1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":78939,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.3","catch_line":"Students with autism spectrum disorders; training required of personnel","url":"\/22.1-298.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.3","metadata":false},{"id":66256,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.4","catch_line":"Teacher preparation programs; learning disabilities","url":"\/22.1-298.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.4","metadata":false},{"id":56301,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.5","catch_line":"Regulations governing licensure; endorsement in dual language instruction pre-kindergarten through grade six","url":"\/22.1-298.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.5","metadata":false},{"id":80956,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.6","catch_line":"Mental health awareness training","url":"\/22.1-298.6\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.6","metadata":false},{"id":65764,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.7","catch_line":"Teachers and other licensed school board employees; cultural competency training","url":"\/22.1-298.7\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.7","metadata":false},{"id":85044,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-298.8","catch_line":"Public elementary and secondary school teachers; certain training activities; requirements and limitations; index","url":"\/22.1-298.8\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-298.8","metadata":false},{"id":71681,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2030) License required of teachers; provisional licenses; exceptions","url":"\/22.1-299\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299","metadata":false},{"id":68324,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-299.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.1","metadata":false},{"id":70249,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.2","catch_line":"National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund","url":"\/22.1-299.2\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.2","metadata":false},{"id":81334,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/22.1-299.3\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.3","metadata":false},{"id":57049,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.4","catch_line":"Teach For America license","url":"\/22.1-299.4\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.4","metadata":false},{"id":72039,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.5","catch_line":"Waiver of teacher licensure requirements; trade and industrial education programs","url":"\/22.1-299.5\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.5","metadata":false},{"id":87315,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.6","catch_line":"Career and technical education; three-year licenses","url":"\/22.1-299.6\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.6","metadata":false},{"id":79194,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7","catch_line":"Microcredential program; certain STEM subjects","url":"\/22.1-299.7\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7","metadata":false},{"id":80524,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7:1","catch_line":" (For effective date, see Acts 2022, cc. 549, 550, cl. 2) Microcredential program; reading specialists","url":"\/22.1-299.7_1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7_1","metadata":false},{"id":65219,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.8","catch_line":"Technical professional licenses; substitution of certain professional development activities for required coursework","url":"\/22.1-299.8\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.8","metadata":false},{"id":61649,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-300","catch_line":"Tuberculosis certificate","url":"\/22.1-300\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-300","metadata":false},{"id":76288,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-301","catch_line":"Costs of medical examinations and of furnishing medical records","url":"\/22.1-301\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-301","metadata":false},{"id":74415,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-302","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2027) Written contracts required; execution of contracts; qualifications of temporarily employed teachers; rules and requirements","url":"\/22.1-302\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-302","metadata":false},{"id":55716,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-303","catch_line":"Probationary terms of service for teachers","url":"\/22.1-303\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-303","metadata":false},{"id":63799,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-303.1","catch_line":"Immunity from civil liability for certain individuals","url":"\/22.1-303.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-303.1","metadata":false},{"id":83664,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-304","catch_line":"Reemployment of teacher who has not achieved continuing contract status; effect of continuing contract; resignation of teacher; reduction in number of teachers","url":"\/22.1-304\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-304","metadata":false},{"id":64910,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-305","catch_line":"Nonrenewal of contract of probationary teacher","url":"\/22.1-305\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-305","metadata":false},{"id":66269,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-305.1","catch_line":"Mentor teacher programs","url":"\/22.1-305.1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-305.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79194,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.7","catch_line":"Microcredential program; certain STEM subjects","url":"\/22.1-299.7\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65219,"structure_id":14223,"section_number":"22.1-299.8","catch_line":"Technical professional licenses; substitution of certain professional development activities for required coursework","url":"\/22.1-299.8\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/22.1-299.7:1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2022. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?221+ful+CHAP0549\">549<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?221+ful+CHAP0550\">550<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":69198,"section_number":"22.1-253.13:2","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 2. Instructional, administrative, and support personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-253.13_2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":183073,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80524,"identifier":"22.1-299.7:1","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7_1","url":"\/22.1-299.7_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/22.1-299.7_1\/","token":"22.1\/15\/2\/22.1-299.7_1","dublin_core":{"Title":" (For effective date, see Acts 2022, cc. 549, 550, cl. 2) Microcredential program; reading specialists","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 22.1-299.7:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall establish a microcredential program for the purpose of permitting any public <span class=\"dictionary\">elementary<\/span> or secondary school teacher who holds a renewable or provisional license or any individual who participates in any alternate route to licensure program to earn a series of microcredentials in the reading specialist endorsement area. Such microcredential program shall require candidates to complete a performance-based assessment intended to allow the educator to demonstrate competency in <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span>-based literacy instruction<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">science-based reading research<\/span> as well as the identification of and the appropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students with dyslexia or a related disorder. <a id=\"paragraph-288489\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-299.7_1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> guidance that determines how the series of microcredentials awarded to teachers pursuant to the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A will be used to award an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist. Any add-on endorsement that results from completion of such microcredential program shall be provisional for a period of five years. <a id=\"paragraph-288490\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-299.7_1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> A local <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> may employ a teacher with an add-on endorsement as a reading specialist pursuant to this section to satisfy the requirement set forth in subsection G of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"(Effective July 1, 2026) Standard 2. Instructional, administrative, and support personnel\" href=\"\/22.1-253.13_2\/\">22.1-253.13:2<\/a> if the local <span class=\"dictionary\">school board<\/span> is unable to employ a teacher with a full endorsement as a reading specialist. <a id=\"paragraph-288491\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-299.7_1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Teachers who hold a renewable license and who participate, through the microcredential program established in accordance with subsection A, in courses that do not contribute to an endorsement are eligible for professional development points toward renewal of their license for the number of in-person hours of coursework completed upon providing a certificate of such participation from the course provider. <a id=\"paragraph-288492\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/22.1-299.7_1\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n (FOR EFFECTIVE DATE, SEE ACTS 2022, CC. 549, 550, CL. 2) MICROCREDENTIAL\nPROGRAM; READING SPECIALISTS (\u00a7 22.1-299.7:1)\n\nA. The Department shall establish a microcredential program for the purpose of\npermitting any public elementary or secondary school teacher who holds a\nrenewable or provisional license or any individual who participates in any\nalternate route to licensure program to earn a series of microcredentials in the\nreading specialist endorsement area. Such microcredential program shall require\ncandidates to complete a performance-based assessment intended to allow the\neducator to demonstrate competency in evidence-based literacy instruction and\nscience-based reading research as well as the identification of and the\nappropriate interventions, accommodations, and teaching techniques for students\nwith dyslexia or a related disorder.\n\nB. The Board shall issue guidance that determines how the series of\nmicrocredentials awarded to teachers pursuant to the microcredential program\nestablished in accordance with subsection A will be used to award an add-on\nendorsement as a reading specialist. Any add-on endorsement that results from\ncompletion of such microcredential program shall be provisional for a period of\nfive years.\n\nC. A local school board may employ a teacher with an add-on endorsement as a\nreading specialist pursuant to this section to satisfy the requirement set forth\nin subsection G of &#xA7; 22.1-253.13:2 if the local school board is unable to\nemploy a teacher with a full endorsement as a reading specialist.\n\nD. Teachers who hold a renewable license and who participate, through the\nmicrocredential program established in accordance with subsection A, in courses\nthat do not contribute to an endorsement are eligible for professional\ndevelopment points toward renewal of their license for the number of in-person\nhours of coursework completed upon providing a certificate of such participation\nfrom the course provider.\n\nHISTORY: 2022, cc. 549, 550.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}