FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSNC LICENSURE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Licensure / NC Testing Requirements / Out-of-State Teachers / Lateral Entry Teachers / International Teachers / General Teaching
GENERAL LICENSURE
Who needs a license in North Carolina?
All professional employees of public schools must hold a license for the subject or grade level they teach or for the professional education assignment that they hold. Steps to obtaining a license in North Carolina.
In what areas are licenses issued?
Licenses are issued in administrative, supervisory, student service and teaching areas. These areas encompass birth through kindergarten, elementary (K-6), middle grades (6-9), secondary grades (9-12), special subjects (K-12), exceptional children (K-12) and career and technical education.
How do I qualify for a North Carolina license?
The standard basis for licensure is the completion of a state approved education program at a regionally accredited college or university or the completion of another state's approved alternative route to licensure, met the federal requirements to be designated as "Highly Qualified" and earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college.
License Qualifications - These charts are for quick reference.
- All Teachers with 0-2 Years of Teaching Experience - Under review, will return soon.
- Out of State Teachers with 3+ Years of Teaching Experience - Under review, will return soon.
- Lateral Entry Teachers in North Carolina
(pdf, 31kb)
Is there a list of steps that I must take to apply for a license?
How much does it cost to apply for a license?
There is a fee of $55.00 for in-state applicants and $85.00 for out-of-state applicants. You may pay by personal check, money order, or certified check made payable to the Department of Public Instruction. You may also pay by Visa or MasterCard.
Will my license ever need to be renewed?
Where can I find courses for renewing my license?
Courses for renewal can be taken at community colleges, universities and workshops.
What steps do I need to take to reinstate an expired North Carolina license?
To renew an expired license, you must earn 15 units of renewal credits within the most recent five-year period or complete 10 semester hours. If you become employed with a NC school system, a validation of an expired license can be requested. Renewing Your License.
How do I add an area to my license?
If you hold a clear teaching license with no restrictions, you can add an area to your license by taking the Praxis II Test for that area or complete a state approved teacher education program that leads to licensure. If you hold a student services license you must complete the teacher education program to add a teaching area to your license. Update or Renew Your License.
How do I get a copy of my current license?
Are copies of transcripts acceptable?
No. Originals are required. Grade reports and computer-generated copies are not acceptable.
What does "Highly Qualified" mean?
The federal definition of a "Highly Qualified" teacher is one who is fully certified and/or licensed by the state, holds at least a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution and demonstrates competence in core academic areas. Further information on "Highly Qualified" teachers can be found beginning on page 19 of the NCLB Toolkit for Teachers.
How do I become National Board Certified Teacher?
See National Board Certification. North Carolina ranks as the #1 State in the nation for the overall number of National Board Certified Teachers!
If I have a Masters degree but my license is not issued at the Master's level, can I still be paid for my master's degree?
Yes, if it meets the following: Licensed teachers who do not have a graduate degree in teacher education may qualify for graduate salary if they hold a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution in an education or subject area directly related to their existing class A license. Salary can be authorized at the graduate level only when the teacher's assignment for the majority of the day (fifty percent or more) is in the area to which the graduate degree applies.
NC TESTING REQUIREMENTS
What tests do I need to obtain a North Carolina license?
Can other tests be substituted for the PRAXIS scores?
No. However, exemptions may be allowed for out-of-state new hires who meet NCLB licensure and "Highly Qualified" requirements.
Can I apply for a license if I have not met the testing requirement?
Yes, if applying from out of state, you will be given a one year temporary permit. You would be required to meet testing requirements during that time period.
How do I get a copy of my test scores?
OUT OF STATE TEACHERS
I have a license from another state and I would like to teach in North Carolina. What should I do?
Out of State Teachers. Please complete the Steps to a NC License.
I am from out-of state and have previous teaching experience. Will this experience be credited to my NC license?
Yes, if properly verified, your K-12 teaching experience will be credited. Please complete the Steps to a NC License including Form E - Verification of K-12 Teaching Experience (pdf, 27kb or doc, 69kb).
How do I transfer my license from another state to North Carolina?
How does reciprocity work?
North Carolina does NOT have 100% reciprocity with any state. You MUST complete the Steps to a NC License.
INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS
Can I get a NC license if my degree was earned in another country?
Yes. If you have earned a degree from another country you must provide an evaluation from an international education evaluation service with a copy of a current work authorization visa, permanent resident card or US passport. International Teachers.
Who can officially translate my papers into English?
For degrees earned abroad, the transcripts must be translated into English by an evaluating agency. NC DPI will not accept translations done by the applicant. There are many evaluating agencies. One example is International Education Evaluations.
LATERAL ENTRY TEACHERS
What is a Lateral entry teacher?
Lateral entry is an "alternate" route to teaching for qualified individuals outside of the public education system. Lateral Entry Teachers.
What are "alternate" routes to becoming a teacher in North Carolina?
What are the lateral entry licensure requirements in North Carolina?
Qualifying for Lateral Entry (pdf, 31kb) and Steps for a Lateral Entry License.
What tests are required for lateral entry licensing in North Carolina?
What is a Regional Alternative Licensing Center? (RALC)
An RALC is a regional office established by the North Carolina State Board of Education that is authorized to evaluate and prescribe licensure plans of study to help lateral entry teachers in North Carolina achieve full licensure. RALC Home Page.
Who is eligible to be evaluated by an RALC?
You may be evaluated by an RALC if you are currently holding a lateral entry license or meet the qualifying criteria (pdf, 31kb) for a lateral entry license but are not yet employed.
How do I request an evaluation by an RALC?
If employed, requests are made through the Personnel/Human Resource Director in your school system of hire. Otherwise, you may contact the RALC that serves the county in which you reside. RALC Contacts.
Am I required to use the services of an RALC?
No. The RALC is one of several choices that you have for completing your licensing program. You can also obtain licensure through a college or university.
Is there a fee to use the services of an RALC?
RALCs do not charge school systems or individuals for services provided.
If I choose to follow the licensure plan outlined by an RALC, which college/university will I attend?
You may attend the college or university of your choice that is regionally accredited. Because you are not tied to an individual college or university licensure program to fulfill the required coursework, you could attend multiple four-year colleges and/or universities. You may also choose to fulfill the required coursework using on-line educational opportunities.
Which RALC will process my evaluation?
The regional office responsible for the county where your school system of hire is located, or, if not employed, the county where you reside, will be responsible for processing your evaluation.
When using an RALC, whom do I contact if I have questions about my transcript evaluation?
Your first point of contact should be the Personnel/Human Resource Administrator at your school system. Your school system will contact the RALC for further clarification and explanation. If you are not employed, contact the RALC that did your evaluation.
When using an RALC, what do I do when I have finished all licensure plan requirements?
The Personnel/Human Resource office at your school system will submit documentation to the RALC upon your completion of the licensure plan. In turn, the RALC will submit licensure documents to the NC Department of Public Instruction's Licensure Section, which will issue your teaching license. If you are not employed, submit documentation of your completed course work and testing to the RALC that did your evaluation. Upon employment as a teacher and successful completion of the Initial Licensure Program, the RALC will be able to submit documentation to NC Department of Public Instruction's Licensure Section so your teaching license can be issued.
When using an RALC, what is required to meet the competencies listed on my licensure plan?
You must take courses from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university, or participate in approved staff development through your school system.
Is there an expiration date on my license plan?
Yes. You will be advised of the duration of the validity of the evaluation at the time the plan is issued by the RALC.
What are the grade requirements for my licensure plan?
Only grades of "C" and higher are counted in the licensure plan.
GENERAL TEACHING QUESTIONS
What is North Carolina's salary scale?
What benefits do teachers receive in North Carolina?
What is the best way to find a job teaching in North Carolina and how can I apply for teaching positions?
There is not a single point of contact for all public school employment in North Carolina. We have 115 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and almost 100 charter schools, and each is a different employer. The best place to start your search is the Employment web page. Or you can contact a LEA or contact a Charter School directly to get their employment information. Visit the Recruitment web page to get information on Job Fairs, Beginning Teacher Support Resources, and more. You may use the NC DPI Online application system to search and apply for jobs. Another resource that is used by some LEAs is Teachers-Teachers.com. Use this non-DPI site to create and post your application, view and apply for job postings, record an interview, and track your job search.
Do I need a license to substitute teach?
No state license is required to substitute teach. Contact each LEA you would like to teach in, as they may have requirements for substitutes.
Will substitute teaching count towards experience?
Yes, if it meets the experience eligibility requirements and it is appropriately verified and recommended by a North Carolina employing school system.