Forms and FAQs

4. Out-of-state educators who meet all of the following, have the option to either pass SBE required licensure testing (see file linked at bottom of page) or complete state-approved foundations courses in reading and math to convert the IPL to the CPL.

• Have 3 or more years of teaching experience
• Holds the IPL in Elementary Education (K-6) and/or Exceptional Children: General Curriculum (K-12)
• Are employed in NC public schools

For information and steps to register for the foundations courses entitled Reading Research to Classroom Practice and/or Foundations of Mathematics, visit the NCSIP Website. Contact your local employing NC public school district for further assistance. Regional NCSIP contacts are also available for additional information.

International Educators

1. Do I need a U.S. Social Security Number to apply?

• Yes, a valid United State Social Security number is required by NC law to apply for a professional educator’s license.

2. Can I get a NC professional educator's license if my degree was earned in another country?

• Yes. If you have earned a degree from another country you must provide an evaluation from an international education evaluation service with a copy of current work authorization.

Alternate Routes to North Carolina Professional Educator's Licensure

1. What are "alternate" routes and the requirements to becoming a teacher in North Carolina?

• Residency License
• Begin the Process for an Educator's License

2. What tests are required for Residency License in North Carolina?

• SBE licensure exams policy LICN-003 (see link at bottom of page) requires both:
  • Content exam(s)
  • Performance/Pedagogy assessment(s) - either edTPA or PPAT are required for all applicants (in-state and out-of-state) who are awarded educator preparation program degrees or complete approved educator licensure programs on or after September 1, 2019.

  General Education Profession Questions

  1. What is North Carolina's salary scale?

  2. What benefits do teachers receive in North Carolina?

  3. What is the best way to find a job teaching in North Carolina and how can I apply for teaching positions?

  • There is not a single point of contact for all public school employment in North Carolina. We have 115 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and more than 160 charter schools, and each is a different employer. The best place to start your search is the Work for NC Schools page. Or you can contact a LEA or contact a Charter School directly to get their employment information. Visit Licensure, Compensation and Career to get information on Job Fairs, Beginning Teacher Support Resources, and more.
  • Another resource that is used by some LEAs is Teachers-Teachers.com. Use this non-DPI site to create and post your application, view and apply for job postings, record an interview, and track your job search.

  4. How do I find contact information for a LEA or Charter School?

  • EDDIE contains school system contact information, including Personnel Administrators & Principals. Use the LEA Personnel Report (located under the Reports Menu) to obtain contact information for all of the LEAs, or use the Search or Selection boxes to navigate to an individual LEA for their staff information, or to a school for their principal information. EDDIE provides assistance with LEA or school information.
  • Charter Schools contact information can be located in EDDIE.

  5. Do I need a professional educator's license to substitute teach?

  • No. A state professional educator's license is not required to substitute teach. Contact each LEA in which you would like to teach to learn about the requirements for substitutes.

  6. Will substitute teaching count towards experience?

  • Yes, if it meets the non-teaching experience eligibility requirements, is verified appropriately, and is recommended by a North Carolina employing school system.

  Contact NCDPI Licensure Office

  2. Call 800-577-7994 (toll-free within North Carolina) or (919) 716-1800

  3. Email asklicensure@dpi.nc.gov and provide the following information:

  • Your full legal name
  • Last 4 digits of your SSN
  • Your NC educator's license or application number
    • Failure to provide this information may delay or deny our ability to respond.