Renew a Teaching License in NC
(not a North Carolina teacher, click here to find your state)
How do I keep and renew a teaching license in North Carolina?
Teachers use online professional development and continuing education courses to renew a teaching license in NC through the NCDPI Online Licensure System. The North Carolina Continuing Professional License (CPL) must be renewed every five years on or after April 15th of the year that a license expires.
Activities Accepted for Renewal Credit:
- Semester graduate courses from a regionally accredited university (get an official transcript).
- Courses or workshops (get a Certificate of Completion).
What state requirements does a teacher in NC need to meet for renewal?
All Professional Learning Board courses include a free PD Tracker.
According to the NC Department of Public Instruction, NC teachers are required to complete 8 CEUs or 80 hours of clock hours of professional development to renew a current or expired teaching license in NC. A unit of renewal credit (CEU) is equal to 10 clock hours of professional development.
As per NC State Board of Education Policy LICN-005, the following requirements apply to teachers with licenses expiring on or after January 4, 2024:
Teachers of grades K-5 must complete 8 renewal credits during each five-year renewal cycle that meet the following requirements:
- 3 renewal credits in their academic subject area (aligned to Standard 3 or Standard 4)
- 3 renewal credits addressing literacy, including evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies for students not demonstrating reading proficiency, grounded in the Science of Reading, as defined in G.S. 115C-83.3.
- 2 general renewal credits at the discretion of the employing PSU. PSUs reserve the right to assign (additional) literacy requirements to any educator.
Teachers of grades 6-12 must complete 8 renewal credits during each five-year renewal cycle that meet the following requirements:
- 4 renewal credits in their academic subject areas (aligned to Standard 3 or Standard 4)
- 4 general credits at the discretion of the employing PSU. PSUs reserve the right to assign literacy requirements for any educator.
Student Service Personnel who hold a Continuing Professional License must complete 8 renewal credits during each five-year renewal cycle that meet the following requirements:
- 4 renewal credits in their Professional Discipline
- 4 general credits (not to include years of experience) at the discretion of the employing PSUs. PSUs reserve the right to assign literacy requirements for any educator.
School administrators must earn at least 8 renewal credits during each five-year renewal cycle that meet the following requirements:
- 4 renewal credits that align with the expectations of the North Carolina School Executive Standards 2, 4, and 5, focused on the school executive’s role as instructional, human resources, and managerial leader.
- 4 general credits (not to include years of experience) at the discretion of the employing PSUs. PSUs reserve the right to assign literacy requirements for any educator.
Please Note: An educator shall not be required to complete continuing education credits solely related to digital teaching and learning but may be required to complete up to 2 continuing education credits that include pedagogy on digital teaching and learning as a component of a general or content-specific continuing education credit. Professional Learning Board courses are designed to meet this standard.
Tyrell County Schools is proud to recommend Renew a Teaching License for North Carolina teachers.
How do I get free PD for teachers in North Carolina?
Get Online PD for North Carolina Teachers
Looking for online continuing education and staff development for schools or districts? Check out 100% online PD at ConnectedPD.com!
How do I contact the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction?
Contact the NCDPI
301 N. Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2825
(919) 807-3300
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your teaching certificate and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Education requires. The new continuing education information and courses listed on this page are current as of January 15th, 2024 to meet the best information available. State licensing requirements and school district approval processes may change and it is your responsibility as a licensed or certified teacher to know your state certification renewal requirements and the process for submission and approval of all professional and staff development hours for renewing a license, licensing and certificate renewal and expired or lapsed certification. Professional Learning Board can not guarantee acceptance by your school, district, state Department of Education or licensing authority.