Career Ladder Program
HCPS Career Ladder Program
Career Ladder Submission Portal
The HCPS Career Ladder Program, launched in 2022, was designed for and with Henrico employees to recruit, retain, and reward a strong and committed workforce. As the first program of its kind in Virginia, the Career Ladder offers differentiated pathways for professional learning and salary advancement, allowing eligible staff to increase their salary by up to 15% without leaving their current roles.
Developed through extensive input from advisory committees and focus groups representing a wide range of roles and experiences, the Career Ladder includes three distinct tracks, each with identified groups of eligible staff.
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Educator Career Ladder
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School Leader Career Ladder
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Classified Career Ladder
Each ladder is tailored to support the professional growth and advancement of its respective group. Educators and school leaders pursue advancement through microcredentials and specializations aligned to their roles, while classified employees participate in "48 to Elevate" — a series of professional learning courses designed to support their development.
The Career Ladder continues to positively impact employee satisfaction, job performance and retention, and reflects the division’s ongoing commitment to personalized growth opportunities for all staff members. Advancement is based on qualifications and completion of approved professional learning, with salary increases applied in ladder-specific increments as funding permits.
Fall 2026 Microcredential Catalog for Educators and Leaders
Join the over 2000 Henrico employees who have enrolled in free professional learning microcredential courses. Tailored for both teachers and administrators, these courses provide practical strategies, feedback on your practice, and can help you achieve salary advancement along the Henrico Career Ladder.
Why pursue Microcredentials this fall?
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Provides choice-based professional learning relevant to your job
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Offers the chance to get feedback on your work
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Additions to professional transcripts and resumes
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Earning two microcredentials enables you to enroll in an HCPS specialization cohort, receive specialized learning, and earn a 4.8% salary regrade on the Career Ladder
Explore the Fall 2026 Microcredential Course Catalog for a full list of offerings or find it on HCPS-U!
Who is eligible?
1. The Educator Ladder
Full-time staff members in the following job classifications are eligible to participate in the Educator Career Ladder program:
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Classroom teachers (pre-K through grade 12)
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Librarians
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Instructional coaches
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School-based reading and math specialists
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Coordinators of assessment and remediation (CARs)
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Behavior analysts
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School nurses
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Occupational therapists
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Physical therapists
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Psychologists
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Social workers
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School counselors
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Speech pathologists/audiologists
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Admin Interns
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Innovative learning coaches
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PACE coordinators
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Student support teachers
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Educational diagnosticians
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Instructional coordinators
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Exceptional education school-based compliance coordinators
2. The School Leader Ladder
Full-time staff members in the following job classifications are eligible to participate in the School Leader Career Ladder program:
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Principals
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Associate principals
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Assistant principals
3. The Classified Employee Ladder
Identified full-time staff members in the following job classifications are eligible to participate in the Classified Employee Career Ladder program:
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Bus drivers
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Instructional assistants
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Office professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
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Eligible employees may advance up to 15% on the salary scale by completing one or more approved options aligned with their designated Career Ladder.
Educator Ladder
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Completion of an HCPS professional learning specialization
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A doctoral degree or other designated career or trade certification including:
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Advanced practice registered nurse
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ASHA certificate of clinical competence
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ASE master technician: auto tech; or collision repair and refinish; or diesel technologies
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Board-certified behavior analyst
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Certification in Ayres Sensory Integration
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Certified developmental disabilities nurse
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Certified diabetes care and education specialist
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Certified pediatric emergency nurse
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Certified pediatric nurse
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Certified welder educator
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Class A contractor
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HVAC: R-410A certification; EPA certification Type I, II and III; or HVAC excellence certification
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Interdisciplinary school-based training program for occupational and physical therapists
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Licensed clinical social worker or national board certification for school social workers
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Licensed professional counselor
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Master electrician
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Master HVAC
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National board-certified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant
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National board-certified teacher
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National board-certified school social worker
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National board-certified school nurse certification of school nursing
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Nationally certified school psychologist
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Paramedic with advanced emergency medical technician sertification
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Pediatric emergency certification
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Physical therapy specialist certification in pediatrics
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Public health nurse certification
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Qualified mental health professional
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Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: master electrician
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Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program
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School Leader Ladder
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Completion of an HCPS professional learning specialization
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A doctoral degree or national board teacher certification
Classified Employee Ladder (48 to Elevate)
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Completion of 48-hour professional learning milestones. Learning opportunities are provided by departments across the division.
As the Career Ladder expands, the HCPS Department of Professional Learning and Leadership will continue to collaborate with staff from across the division to ensure future offerings remain relevant and meaningful. Current HCPS employees can find additional information by logging into HCPS.
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