Licensure
Entering the teaching profession in North Carolina involves navigating a variety of licensure pathways, each with specific requirements, timelines, and responsibilities. Understanding these pathways is critical for new educators, mentors, and school leaders to ensure compliance with state policies and to support the professional growth of beginning teachers.
All beginning teachers must actively participate in and complete the district’s Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP), which provides structured guidance, mentoring, and professional development during the early years of teaching. At the same time, teachers must work toward meeting state licensure requirements based on the type of license they hold at the time of hire. Licensure categories include the Initial Professional License (IPL), Permit to Teach License (PTTL), Emergency License (EL), and Residency License (RL). Each pathway carries unique expectations for coursework, exams, portfolios, and continuous enrollment in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), if applicable.
This guide is designed to provide a clear overview of:
- License Types – A breakdown of available licensure categories and their purpose.
- Requirements – The qualifications necessary to obtain or maintain each license.
- Key Tasks by Year – A year-by-year outline of responsibilities, exams, coursework, and portfolio expectations for each pathway.
- Progression to Initial Professional License (IPL) – The ultimate goal for beginning teachers, achieved upon completion of program requirements, exams, and portfolio assessments.
While many teachers complete requirements within the traditional three-year window, some licenses require an additional year of support and coursework. This resource is intended to serve as both a roadmap and a checklist, ensuring beginning teachers, mentors, and administrators stay aligned on expectations at each stage of the licensure journey.
Alternative
Approved EPPs
Classified to Teacher
On February 16th, Craven County Schools hosted its inaugural Classified to Teacher Fair at New Bern High School, providing classified staff and community members with valuable information about the pathway to becoming licensed teachers.
The event brought together district leaders and Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to share licensure options, program requirements, funding opportunities, and clear next steps toward certification. A special thank you to NCWorks and ESS for helping spread the word and encouraging prospective candidates to attend, which contributed to the strong turnout and engagement. This first Classified to Teacher Fair was a success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the future.
Supports
240 Tutoring (free for teachers contact the Beginning Teacher Coordinators)
NCDPI Test Prep Resources
How to Register for Required Exams
NCDPI Licensure Support
edTPA/PPAT Portfolio
Testing and Portfolio Reimbursement
