NC certification
North Carolina teacher certification
Teaching credentials in North Carolina
Each row is a credential North Carolina reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education | Yes | 3 | No | 6-9, 9-12 |
| Continuing Professional License | Yes | 5 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Emergency License | Yes | 1 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Initial Professional License | Yes | 3 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| International Faculty License | Yes | 3 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Lifetime License | No | 99,999 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Limited License | No | 3 | Yes | K-6, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Permit to Teach | Yes | 1 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Provisional | No | 1 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Residency License | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Continuing Professional License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Emergency License | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Initial Professional License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| International Faculty License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lifetime License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Limited License | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Permit to Teach | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Provisional | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Residency License | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Verify a teaching license in North Carolina
Teaching licenses in North Carolina are verified on the lookup service run by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Continuing Professional License | Yes | 99,999 | 5 | Eight renewal credits must be earned during the five-year period to renew the license. |
| Emergency License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Initial Professional License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| International Faculty License | Yes | 1 | 2 | Not reported |
| Lifetime License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Limited License | Yes | 100 | 3 | attestation of the superintendent and supervising principal. If the applicant has EVAAS data, the PSU should average any existing EVAAS data (educator’s composite EVAAS score) over the period of the prior limited license period (with the exception of any EVAAS data from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years). If the applicant’s EVAAS average is greater than or equal to -2.00, then the applicant meets this renewal requirement. If the applicant’s average EVAAS score is less than -2.00, then the applicant is not eligible to renew the limited license. |
| Permit to Teach | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Provisional | Yes | 4 | 1 | Not reported |
| Residency License | Yes | 2 | 1 | In order to renew a Residency License for the second or the third year, the LEA must verify the license holder taught at least six calendar months during the prior school year, and; continued enrollment with an EPP, and; employment of the teacher in an LEA, and; the license holder completed 10 days of required professional development. |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education | Yes | 3 | No | 6-9, 9-12 |
| Emergency License | Yes | 1 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| International Faculty License | Yes | 3 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Permit to Teach | Yes | 1 | No | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Provisional | No | 1 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
| Residency License | Yes | 1 | Yes | K-6, 6-9, 9-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for North Carolina. Ask North Carolina Department of Public Instruction how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 1,307.
Alternative routes
- Career and Technical Education (teach while completing)
- Emergency License (teach while completing)
- International Faculty License (teach while completing)
- Lateral Entry (teach while completing)
- Permit To Teach (teach while completing)
- Residency License (teach while completing)
How to become a teacher in North CarolinaNorth Carolina teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in North Carolina?
North Carolina reports 10 credentials to Title II, 7 of them initial. 6 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 4 require a preparation program and 3 require tests. Apply through North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
How do I verify a teaching license in North Carolina?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a North Carolina teaching certificate?
5 of 10 North Carolina credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does North Carolina issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 6: Career and Technical Education; Emergency License; International Faculty License; Permit to Teach; Provisional.
Can I teach in North Carolina with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for North Carolina. Ask North Carolina Department of Public Instruction how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina reports 6 alternative routes to Title II.