The standard basis for licensure is the completion of an approved education program from a regionally accredited college or university. Most out-of-state applicants qualify through reciprocity plans that allow educators from outside North Carolina to establish eligibility for licensing in North Carolina; this doesn’t include possible testing requirements for a North Carolina License.

• Official degree dated transcripts(s) from each degree earned: original or clear copy (front & back) with registrar’s signature
• Lateral Entry applicants: transcripts from all universities attended
• Other state licenses: copy of front & back, with code key
• Copies of Praxis II test scores and/or other state test score reports – all pages must be submitted
• Form V required for graduate degrees in Education
• Form(s) E and/or CE, NE or ME verified by each former employer for any prior teaching experience

Anytime if applying for your own license based on Reciprocity. As an employee of CCS, you must complete the application process within 60 days of employment.

Yes, DPI will determine a timeline for completing testing requirements. You will receive a license requirements letter with your license via email. It is important that you share this letter with Human Resources.

Yes, in most cases. Properly documented professional experience from out-of-state schools or private schools is creditable under the same criteria as experience in an NC school. Educators are paid at the beginning level of teacher pay, Bachelor’s with no experience until the license is issued.

Once the license is issued, the employee’s salary will be adjusted to reflect the experience and any applicable advanced degree retroactive to the date established by DPI.

A minimum of 45 days after submission to DPI during peak seasons (May – December).

• Out-of-State (reciprocal) $100.00
• Graduate of NC Teacher Ed Program $70.00
• Provisional/C-T, other $100.00
• Additional fee ($60) is required when amending the license: adding license areas, adding experience, upgrading teacher education degrees (MEd, EdS, EdD), adding Student Services areas.
• Mastercard or VISA card [no cash] due at the time of completing the application

Complete a minimum of 6 semester hours from an approved program of study for licensure before the start of each school year regardless of employment status.  Praxis II testing must be passed by the completion of all coursework.

You have 3 years to complete 8 CEUs

Yes. Please give us a copy of the  license and the license requirement letter.

The renewal window opens April 15th through June 30 and is a $35 fee paid online.

I need a copy of my license:

Visit www.vo.licensure.ncpublicschools.gov

Log in to access your license

Please call the HR Records Management Clerk, 910-678-2345. If it is not in your Personnel File, then you will need to contact ETS at 1-800-772-9476.

There are two options:

Complete a MEd., EdS, or EdD in a new area and the university will recommend adding it to your license.
Teachers with a “clear” initial or continuing teaching license (excludes Career-Technical restricted licenses and student services educators) may take the appropriate Praxis II test(s) to add additional areas or if you have 24 credit hours in a specific area

Graduate Degrees in Teacher Education:

We can’t stress enough to complete your advanced educational degree with the university system in North Carolina. The NC universities’ programs lead to North Carolina licensing. Many of the NC universities do offer advanced degree/licensure program online.

In order to get a Master’s or higher designation on an NC license, the advanced degree must be in a specific NC license area.

Regarding out-of-state and online universities, you are going to have to make your own decision.

Not all online university programs will qualify for a license in North Carolina even if they respond positively to the questions below.

Questions to ask the university:

Is the university regionally accredited?
Is the program an approved teacher education program?
NOTE: Degrees started after 8/1/2013 will not be used for additional pay purposes.