North Carolina requires a degree, certification and licensure to become a teacher.
The state of North Carolina requires teachers to have four-year degrees in education from an accredited school and obtain a North Carolina Initial Teaching Certificate. North Carolina also has reciprocity agreements with 41 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Guam, meaning that qualified teachers in those states are eligible to be licensed without having to be recertified in North Carolina. The state recognizes undergraduate degrees obtained by colleges and universities accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, although the state also recognizes some other in-state schools and lateral-move programs.
Instructions
1. Obtain an undergraduate degree in education from an accredited college or university, either in North Carolina or in the state in which you reside.
2. Become certified or licensed in your home state. North Carolina administers the Praxis exams, as do many other states. However, the Praxis exam isn't necessary in those states that enjoy reciprocity with North Carolina. Whatever the certification procedures are in non-Praxis states are acceptable and transferable to North Carolina.
3. Take and pass the Praxis I exam. Study materials are available online.
4. Complete the North Carolina Initial Teacher Certification Application.
5. Submit your application. Include all your college transcripts, verification from the education college from which you received your degree (with Form V, which is included in the initial teacher certificate application packet that you received at your Praxis I exam), and an $85 processing fee (check or money order) made payable to the Department of Public Instruction. Mail the materials to:
Department of Public Instruction
Licensure Section
6365 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6365
6. Apply to the North Carolina Licensure Section to obtain your initial (SP1) license once you've been certified. SP1 licenses are issued to teachers with two years or less experience and are valid for three years. Out-of-state teachers---either certified or licensed---can apply directly to the Licensure Section without the certification process. The Public Schools of North Carolina has a website dedicated to assisting newly certified and out-of-state teachers with their professional licensing requirements.
7. Apply to North Carolina schools, even prior to obtaining your license.
Tags: North Carolina, Licensure Section, Praxis exam, Apply North, Apply North Carolina, Carolina Initial, Carolina requires
