Become a Teacher in North Carolina

Step One: North Carolina Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. North Carolina does not have credit hour requirements for an initial teaching license.

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Master’s Requirements

Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.

The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.

Learn more about getting your MAT online with our partner USC Rossier School of Education.

Step Two: North Carolina Teacher Preparation

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction requires teachers to either complete a state-approved teacher education program from a regionally accredited college or university or follow the lateral entry route in order to obtain a Professional Educator’s Initial License.

Typically, teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often include instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design, and implement learning experiences in their field of study.

The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship. While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more teacher scholarships specific to the State of North Carolina, visit our North Carolina Teacher Scholarships page.

Alternative Certification

Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Visit our North Carolina Alternative Certification Programs page for more information.

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Step Three: North Carolina Required Tests

In order to obtain a North Carolina state teacher certification, all applicants must complete and pass the appropriate Praxis exams required for initial licensure. All applicants, regardless of area of certification, must pass all three Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) tests as well as all content tests required for their certification area(s).

Praxis™ CORE

Candidates are required to pass the Praxis CORE tests prior to admission to an approved teacher education program in North Carolina.

Pearson for North Carolina Tests

All candidates applying for licensure in the areas of Elementary Education (K–6) and Exceptional Children: General Curriculum (K–12) must pass a North Carolina Foundations of Reading test and General Curriculum test, in addition to required Praxis tests.

Praxis II® Content Area Assessment

Secondary Education

All applicants pursuing their Secondary Education certification are required to take Praxis Subject Assessments in their field of certification. Most certifications also require passing the Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) 7–12 test.

Special Education

All Grades (K-12)

Visit North Carolina’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of available assessments.

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Step Four: North Carolina Application Requirements

The following steps prepare you to apply for your North Carolina Professional Educator’s License, per the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:

1. Application: Register on the NCDPI Online Licensure System and fill out application.
2. Education Verification: Provide license from another state or proof of completion of approved teacher education program.
3. Transcripts: Submit any and all original degree-dated transcripts and coursework information from each of your degrees from an accredited institution.
4. Test Scores: Submit Praxis test scores and/or Verification of “Highly Qualified” Status.
5. Teaching Experience: Verification of K-12 Teaching Experience for applicants with prior teaching experience or Verification of Postsecondary Educator Experience.
6. International Experience: Applicants who have earned a degree from outside the United States must submit an evaluation from an international education evaluation service.

Background Check

NCDPI does not require applicants to submit a fingerprint clearance to obtain their teaching license. However, individual school districts may require a state and federal background check as part of their hiring process. Contact your local school district for additional information.

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North Carolina Certification Reciprocity

Individuals with out-of-state credentials can apply for a North Carolina Professional license. Out-of-state teaching experience may also be credited to a North Carolina license. Contact the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.

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North Carolina Teacher Salary

• Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: North Carolina provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high-needs schools.
• Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: North Carolina has strong induction policies in place.
• Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $45,690
• Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $46,370
• Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15

Teacher salaries were provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 Occupational Employment Statistics report.

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North Carolina Certification Resources & Links

• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

6365 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699
919-807-3310

• North Carolina Teacher Tenure
• Troops to Teachers North Carolina: In North Carolina, Troops to Teachers is managed by the North Carolina Troops to Teachers Office
• Become a Substitute Teacher in North Carolina