Virginia Updated High School Graduation Requirements
New rules allow more flexibility in required coursework and seat time for students graduating in Virginia.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In August 2026, the Virginia Board of Education updated high school graduation requirements, including new options for history and economics credits. These changes impact how students earn their diplomas while offering greater flexibility for course completion.
Why it matters
These updates follow legislative mandates and advice from education leaders to better align graduation paths with student career goals. The changes allow more room for students to pursue specific coursework while meeting established state standards.
Students must now complete 22 credits for a standard diploma or 26 for an advanced studies diploma, with five verified credits required in both cases. A 2024 law now permits school divisions to grant course credit without the traditional 140 hours of seat time.
The players
Abigail Spanberger
The current Governor of Virginia who signed legislation expanding African American History in schools.
Virginia Board of Education
The state agency responsible for setting academic standards and overseeing public school policy.
The details
The board updated approved course lists to count African American History or AP African American Studies toward world history or geography requirements. Additionally, IB Economics or Business Management can now fulfill the economics and personal finance mandate. Schools may now demonstrate student mastery of content to bypass the standard 140-hour seat time requirement. Exemptions for CPR training were also clarified for students with 504 plans or individualized education programs and those transferring after 10th grade.
Timeline
Gwyneth's Law passed in 2013 following a fatal cardiac incident in 2012.
The African American History course launched in 2020.
Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the African American History bill in April 2026.
The State Board of Education meeting regarding requirement updates occurred in August 2026.
The Home Front
These graduation updates reflect a broader shift toward competency-based education, allowing schools to move away from rigid seat-time requirements. This continues a decade of regulatory evolution in Virginia that began with the passage of Gwyneth's Law.
Families should review their student's current high school course schedule to see if new history or economics options better fit their academic goals. Contact your local school guidance counselor to ask if your division has implemented the new seat-time flexibility for upcoming credits.
The takeaway
These changes prioritize student flexibility by diversifying the courses that count toward core graduation requirements. Review your student's transcript with their school advisor to ensure they are on the right path for either the standard or advanced diploma credits.
Further reading
For more on state academic standards, visit the Secondary Education page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cardinal News.
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