Table of Contents
North Carolina Teacher Requirements
Requirements To Become a North Carolina Teacher
Below is what you need to get started as a North Carolina teacher:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major in your field of teaching
- Either the completion of an in-state teacher preparation program or an equivalent out-of-state training activity.
- Completion of the two Praxis exams if necessary
- Filing a background check alongside the rest of your application
Exams Necessary For North Carolina Teacher Certification
- Praxis I; may not be necessary if you have a good enough SAT or ACT score.
- Praxis II; not required if you are teaching early childhood education, although it is ideal if you want to attain Highly Qualified status
Upgrading Your License
- Complete at least three years of teaching experience in the state
- Additional education standards may be necessary for some applicants.
Requirements For Renewing Your License
- Eight continuing education units or eighty clock hours of study; the subjects you will study will vary surrounding the grade level you teach.
Acquiring Your North Carolina Teacher License
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides help for people looking to become North Carolina teachers.
Certificate Areas of Value
The state of North Carolina provides licenses for teachers based on the grade areas they will teach. You can obtain your credential to teach in North Carolina through one of these levels:
- Kindergarten
- Elementary students (K-6)
- Middle-grade students (6-9)
- Secondary education (9-12)
- K-12 subjects, including world languages, reading, and physical education
- Exceptional children studies (K-12), including for advanced studies
- Vocational teaching; includes helping students with technical activities.
Two Options For Licensure
You can attain your initial license to teach in North Carolina through one of two methods:
1. Teacher Preparation
You can start by completing your bachelor’s degree with a major in your field of study. There are no limits on what your degree can entail, but the state recommends focusing on a field relevant to whatever endorsement areas the state provides.
You will then graduate from a state-approved teacher education program. All teacher education courses will be at the bachelor’s level or greater and focus on managing classroom activities and understanding pedagogical concepts. The program will also include in-person teaching and the production of lesson plans and assessments for individual students.
2. Out-Of-State Certification
You could also acquire your license if you meet the proper out-of-state requirements. You would need a bachelor’s degree and provide competency in your teaching area. The competency may come from a teacher education program from outside the state, or it could come from prior tests and experience points you completed outside North Carolina. The DPI will review your credentials and determine if you need to attend an in-state teacher education program, although you may not require that in this case.
Finishing the Proper Exams
You must complete the Praxis exams in the state. You must first complete the Praxis I basic skills test. You’ll then take the Praxis II content area test for whatever field you will teach.
Exemptions For the Praxis Tests
You won’t have to complete the Praxis I test if you completed any of these alternate testing options:
· SAT score of at least 1100; you will be exempt from either the math or the reading and writing segment of the Praxis I test if you got a 550 or higher on either of these points in the SAT
· ACT score of 24 or higher; a 24 or greater on either the English or Math segment will allow you to be exempt from the reading and writing or math portion
A Praxis II exam is not necessary for people aiming to teach early childhood education. However, you will receive a “highly qualified” designation if you take the Praxis II Early Childhood Content Knowledge exam and get a score of 155 or greater. The designation increases your chances of finding employment in the state.
Other Things For Your Application
Your application to teach in North Carolina will also require a criminal background check and copies of your official transcripts and test results. You must also complete Form OS-HQ to attain your Highly Qualified status if you have completed the necessary tests and attaining the best possible results.
You will complete all of these and provide the $85 application fee to the DPI Licensure Section in Raleigh. Finally, you should receive a response in a few weeks.
Upgrading Your License
The initial license you will attain in North Carolina is a Standard Professional 1 license. The credential is for teachers with less than two years of experience. The SP1 mark is valid for three years.
You can upgrade to a Standard Professional 2 or SP2 license when you have three or more years of experience. The license is legal for five years. You may require further teacher education courses to complete this, although your school district can provide details on what is necessary here.
Renewing Your License
The North Carolina DPI will support teachers aiming to renew their credentials.
You must renew your license every five years. The deadline for renewing your license is on April 15 of the year it expires.
You will require eight continuing education units or eighty clock hours of further development. One continuing education unit will be equal to ten clock hours.
Your clock hours will vary surrounding the grade level of students you teach. People who teach K-5 students will require:
- Three units in one’s subject area
- Three units in literacy
- Two units for digital learning
A teacher in the grades 6-12 range will require these units:
- Three in the subject area one teaches.
- Two for digital learning
- Three general education units; this may entail pedagogical studies.
You can attain your renewal credits through college or university studies or by participating in approved classes. Some local workshops and in-service courses are also available, but the state DPI must approve of these first.
Resources
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure – North Carolina Department of Public Instruction licensure department
https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/certification/north-carolina/ – Certification areas for North Carolina teachers
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/renew-or-update-your-professional-educators-license – NC DPI website to help you renew your license