NC Education Code · Regulation
Title 16 — root / Chapter 06 — 16 NCAC 06C .0304
Plain English summary
This regulation defines the types, categories, and classifications of professional licenses issued to educators in North Carolina. It establishes three license types (Teacher, Administrator/Supervisor, Student Services) with associated levels of academic preparation, and two classifications of Standard Professional Licenses with differing validity periods and renewal requirements.
Key requirements
- Licenses shall indicate grade levels, content areas and specializations for which the professional shall be eligible for employment.
- The teacher license shall further be categorized as prekindergarten B-K, elementary K-6, middle grades 6-9, secondary 9-12, special subjects K-12, or work force development.
- A person shall be eligible to serve as a superintendent without qualifying for or holding a license as long as the person has earned at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and has a minimum of five years leadership or managerial experience that the employing local board of education considers relevant to the position of superintendent.
- School psychology shall be restricted to the sixth-year or doctorate levels and school social work may be earned at the bachelor's level.
- The Standard Professional License I, which shall be valid for three years, shall allow the holder to begin practicing the profession on an independent basis in North Carolina.
- To be issued a Standard Professional License I, the individual must complete a teacher education program approved in accordance with these Rules and meet the federal requirement to be designated 'highly qualified.'
- The Standard Professional License II shall authorize professional school service on an ongoing basis, subject to renewal every five years.
- The department shall base license classification on the level and degree of career development and competence.
Affected parties
- Teachers
- School administrators
- Superintendents
- Assistant principals
- Principals
- School counselors
- School social workers
- School psychologists
- Audiologists
- Speech language pathologists
- School media specialists
- Local boards of education
- NC Department of Public Instruction