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.
Licenses are issued in administrative/supervisory, student service personnel, and teaching areas. The teaching areas encompass birth through kindergarten, elementary (K-6), middle grades (6-9), secondary grades (9-12), special subjects (K-12), exceptional children (K-12). Administrative and student service personnel areas cover grades K-12.
Use the . Be sure to review the tutorials and steps to apply from WCU鈥檚 Teacher and School Professional Licensure before starting your application. The online system allows you to login and create an account to apply, update, check your application status, and print a copy of your license.
There is currently a DPI fee of $55.00 for in-state applicants. You may pay by Visa or MasterCard.
Currently, if you hold a clear teaching license with no restrictions, you can add an additional teaching area to your license by satisfying licensure exam requirements for the additional area or completing a state approved teacher education program that leads to licensure in that area, or by completing 24 hours in the subject area with a grade of C or better int he subject area. Individuals adding administrative and/or student services areas must satisfy the Praxis II testing requirements, if applicable, for these areas in addition to completing an approved teacher education program.
North Carolina has "reciprocity agreements" with more than 40 other states. Reciprocity applies to the extent that out-of-state education programs are equivalent to in-state standards and guidelines for approved education programs. Certain testing requirements specific to a state may not be covered by reciprocity and would need to be met before a clear license could be issued.
Reciprocity does not guarantee that all areas of licensure will transfer directly from one state to another, but applicants will receive the closest comparable area(s). In some cases, grade level definitions (e.g., NC elementary grades K-6 and secondary grades 9-12) may differ from other states and such a difference may be reflected on a license.
Check with the Department of Public Instruction or Department of Education in the new state to find how to apply for your credentials there.
No. It is converted to an SP II license or validated by an employing local education agency (LEA). The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will issue an SP II license after they receive verification and recommendation by the LEA that the individual has completed the requirements to have their initial SP I license converted to a continuing SP II license.
Yes. The renewal process ensures that professional school personnel (SP II license holders) continually update their professional knowledge and technical competencies. Each license holder is responsible for knowing and satisfying license renewal requirements. Failure to renew a license may make an individual ineligible for employment. North Carolina SP II licenses are issued with five-year dating cycles. At the end of a five-year cycle, the license holder must apply to the Department of Public Instruction for renewal by submitting documentation verifying that renewal has been earned.
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests, referred to as Praxis Core, measure critical thinking and academic skills in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The tests were designed to provide comprehensive assessments that measure the skills and content knowledge of candidates entering teacher preparation programs. Teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified who have not completed a four year degree are required to pass the Praxis Core tests to demonstrate their qualifications. Students who already hold a four year degree and are seeking a second degree or licensure-only certification are not required to fulfill this requirement.
Praxis II Subject Assessments measure knowledge of specific subjects that K鈥�12 educators will teach, as well as general and subject specific teaching skills and knowledge. Before you register for a test, confirm our .
Yes, all completers of an approved teacher education or professional educator program must pass relevant Praxis II and/or Pearson licensure exams and attach the scores to their initial teaching license application. This is a licensing requirement, not a graduation requirement. Be sure to confirm our state testing requirements before you register for a test. See Praxis II and Pearson Tests.
Tests can be taken any semester but waiting until you have taken relevant courses or are near the end of your program will increase your success of passing the tests. Be sure to confirm our state testing requirements before you register for a test. Tests are offered during specific testing windows so select a test date early enough so you will have your score(s) when you need to apply for your license. Mail, email, or fax your scores (originals or legible, unaltered copies) to the CEAP licensure specialist for 蘑菇短视频records and state reporting purposes.
The Foundations of Reading test for NC assesses proficiency in and depth of understanding of the subject of reading and writing development. The test reflects scientifically based reading research and is aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
The General Curriculum test for NC assesses proficiency in and depth of understanding of each of the elementary subject matter required for an elementary teaching license in North Carolina. It is a test of general content knowledge including language arts, history and social science, science and technology/engineering, and mathematics.
All elementary education (K-6), inclusive education (K-6), and special education general curriculum (K-12) program completers and out-of-state* elementary education (K-6) and special education general curriculum (K-12) teachers shall be required to pass the Tests.
* Out-of-state licensed teachers with three or more years of successful teaching experience may teach for one year in North Carolina while meeting this requirement.
Our Licensure Exam Preparation webpage supports candidates preparing for their teacher education and license exams by providing general tips, strategies, and specific content resources for the Praxis Core, Praxis II, and Pearson tests. and preparation materials are also available through each of their websites.
Yes. Completion of your degree program requirements and degree conferral is currently separate from the NC licensing requirements.
All transcripts are required for any degree not already on file in the Licensure Section of the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Transcripts must show the degree and date it was awarded. Attach degree-dated transcript and transcripts for any coursework you have completed not listed on your transcript (community college or post-degree credits) to your online application.
Transcripts will not be issued for persons having delinquent accounts with WCU. Contact the Registrar at 828-227-7170 for account information and to remove all holds.
If you earned your bachelor's degree from another country, DPI requires a copy of your transcript with original credential evaluation. One of many acceptable evaluation agencies for foreign transcripts is . Transcript evaluations must be translated into English by the evaluating agency. DPI will not accept translations done by the applicant.
DPI can be reached by phone at 919.807.3310 and 800.577.7994 or by email asklicensure@dpi.nc.gov. When emailing, please include your full name and last four digits of your social security number. See also DPI's .
Most students start applying for positions towards the end of the semester they are completing their certification or degree program. However, hiring policies may differ from county to county as to whether they want applicants to have a license in hand to offer an interview or will interview knowing the candidate has been recommended for a license. You should check school system websites or contact the county you are interested in directly to inquire about their policy.
Find your State Department of Education listing agency name and contact information.
An LEA is a local education agency; a school system.
An IHE is an Institution of Higher Education - colleges/universities.
An SP1 license is a three-year license which allows the teacher to begin practicing the profession on an independent basis in North Carolina. To be issued a Standard Professional I license, an individual must complete an approved teacher education program and meet the federal requirements to be designated "highly qualified".
SP1 licenses are issued to teachers with fewer than three years of appropriate teaching experience in the initial licensure area. individuals who hold an SP1 license must participate in this three-year induction period with formal orientation, mentor support, observations, and evaluations prior to recommendation by the LEA for a continuing SP II license.
An SPII license is a continuing license that allows the teacher to serve on an on-going basis. A Standard Professional II license must be renewed every five years. An individual holding an SPII license does not have to be teaching at the time they apply for their license renewal.
A lateral entry license may be issued to individuals who have a four year degree, have not completed an approved teacher education program but have been hired by an LEA to be a full-time teacher. The LEAs follow a set of guidelines to be able to apply to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for lateral entry licenses on behalf of their qualified new hires if the situation warrants that type of license. Lateral entry licenses are usually in effect for three years to allow license holders time to complete state teacher education program and testing requirements.
Candidates who hold a current lateral entry or provisional license may be able to use their full-time, paid, teaching position as their internship/student teaching placement. Placement cannot be considered in a private school, in a grade or area other than the licensure area requested, or for a role other than full-time teacher. Contact your adviser for additional eligibility requirements and licensing instructions.
No state license is required to substitute teach in North Carolina. you would like to teach in, as they may have requirements for substitutes.