How to Become a Teacher in North Carolina

Each state has its own teacher licensing requirements, but certification often transfers between states. There are two ways to get a teaching certificate valid in North Carolina: You can either go to an accredited program in North Carolina and take the relevant licensing tests, or go to a recognized program in another state, get your license there, and get it transferred over to North Carolina.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Teaching degree
• Teaching license
• Portfolio
• Transcript
• Resume

1. Graduate from an education program at an accredited college. North Carolina recognizes all programs certified by either the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). North Carolina also has reciprocity with Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. That means that getting teacher accreditation in those states will earn you accreditation in North Carolina. Some North Carolina schools may be state accredited even if they are not certified by the NCATE or NASDTEC.

2. Get a teacher certification in the state you graduate from. In North Carolina you will have to take the Praxis test to get your license. Other states may use other tests to measure a teacher's professional eligibility.

3. Get some professional experience. If you are an out-of-state applicant, you will have an easier time getting a job in North Carolina with some professional teaching experience under your belt. Consider working in the state you were granted a license in. You also will have an easier time renewing your license.

4. Apply for a job at a North Carolina school. Find one advertising for teachers in your particular grade level and specialization. You will need a transcript, resume, portfolio and valid license.

5. Apply to the North Carolina Licensure Section. If you are an experienced teacher, you will be issued a continuing license which has to be renewed every five years. If you have less than two years of experience, you will be given an initial license. You will then have two years to complete an Initial Licensure Program through your school. The school will give you all the information you need on how to do this.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to keep your license up-to-date. If you fail to renew your license on time, you will have to take a battery of tests before you can get a new one.

Resources

• NCATE Homepage
• NASDTEC Homepage
• Praxis Test
• North Carolina Licensure Section

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