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North Carolina Teacher Licensure

You are encouraged to work towards completing your renewal requirements one to two years prior to your license's expiration date to prevent risk in employment. If you have additional questions, please contact your Credentialing Consultant. 
 

Alternative Teaching Certification

Applying for an Alternative Teacher Certificate:

Lateral Entry License

North Carolina has recently changed from a lateral license to a residency License. This means you may no longer apply for a lateral license, however, if you have obtained a Lateral license by June 30th, 2019, you may continue to fulfill your requirements of the license through June 30th, 2022. For more details, click here.

Residency License:

Residency License is an alternative route to a K-12 education career. It is specific to North Carolina schools. Troops to Teachers participants may use residency licensing as one route to a teaching career. Residency licensing allows qualified individuals to begin teaching while completing North Carolina licensure requirements. Four "partners" are involved:

  • the individual,
  • a recognized Educator Preparation Program (EPP),
  • the local education agency (LEA),
  • and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

To be eligible for a Residency License, the prospective teacher must have the following:

  • Has earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
  • Has earned a 2.7 cumulative GPA on their degree.
  • Has either completed 24 semester hours of coursework in the requested licensure area or passed the content area examination(s) required by N.C. State Board of Education for the requested licensure area.
  • Is enrolled in a recognized EPP, and;
  • Has completed preservice requirements prior to teaching.
  • Has been offered employment by an LEA.

For more information on a Residency License, including the steps and testing information, click here.
 

North Carolina Teaching Certification

Use the tabs below to locate information regarding North Carolina's certifications, licenses, and permits:

Alternative Permits Available - Click Here

Renewing your Certification - Click Here

Cost Related to Certifications - Click Here

NC State Board Testing Requirements - Click Here

 

To visit the North Carolina Department of Education Website - Click Here