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HB 647

Teaching Experience; regulations Governing Allowable Credit.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Garrett and 3 co-sponsors

HB 647 revises Virginia regulations on how teaching experience is credited for qualifications and salary placement, advancing unanimously through education committee with fiscal implications requiring review.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 802 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · HB 647

Legislative bill overview

HB 647 modifies Virginia's regulations governing how teaching experience is credited and counted toward teacher qualifications, salary schedules, and professional advancement. The bill, sponsored by Lee Ware and Hillary Pugh Kent, has advanced through committee with unanimous support and a fiscal impact statement from the Department of Planning and Budget.

Why is this important

Teaching experience credit policies directly affect teacher compensation, career progression, and recruitment/retention efforts. How states value prior teaching experience—particularly from other states or alternative pathways—influences workforce development and the cost of K-12 education budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Experience portability: Disagreement over whether out-of-state or non-traditional teaching experience should receive full, partial, or no credit toward Virginia salary schedules
  • Budget implications: Expanded experience credit could increase personnel costs if teachers receive higher placement on salary schedules; the fiscal impact statement suggests this warrants scrutiny
  • Equity concerns: Policies may differentially affect career-changers, military spouses, and teachers relocating from lower-paying states versus those following traditional pathways

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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