How to Become a Teacher in North Carolina

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Becoming a teacher is a fulfilling and rewarding career path, especially in the state of North Carolina. With a growing job market and a strong commitment to education, the Tar Heel State offers great prospects for educators.

If you’re considering becoming a teacher in North Carolina, it’s important to understand the steps and requirements for certification. From earning a degree to completing student teaching hours and passing certification tests, here’s what you need to know to start your journey as a teacher in North Carolina.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

If you’re passionate about making a difference in students’ lives, consider a teaching career in North Carolina. Here’s your step-by-step guide to becoming an accredited teacher in North Carolina.

Start by earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While you can major in any field, a degree in education or the subject you want to teach can provide you with a strong foundation.

And remember, you’ll need at least a 2.70 GPA to be admitted to a teacher preparation program in North Carolina.

If you majored in something other than education, you will have to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program in order to qualify for teaching licensure. This may be a stand-alone program or part of a master’s in education program.

Over the course of approximately 1-2 years, you’ll take courses in professional education, pedagogy, and classroom management. You’ll also complete student teaching hours.

You’ll need to complete a teaching internship in order to qualify for teaching licensure in North Carolina.

You’ll spend at least one semester as a full-time student teacher. This hands-on experience in the classroom allows you to apply the concepts you’ve learned and prepare for your future role as a teacher.

During your student teaching semester, you’re required to complete the edTPA — a performance-based assessment designed to evaluate your readiness to teach.

Next, you’ll need to pass the required certification tests. North Carolina offers an Initial Professional License (IPL) to those just starting out and a Continuing Professional License (CPL) to those who have been teaching for three or more years.

While you may begin your teaching career without passing the required tests, after three years, all teachers must apply for the CPL. You must attempt these exams in your first year of teaching, and you should successfully pass the exams during your third year at the latest.

Required exams include:

Once you’ve completed your degree, gained student teaching experience, and passed the necessary exams, it’s time to apply for your teaching license.

You’ll submit your application online through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure system. Be sure to include all required documents, such as your official transcripts, licensure exam scores, and a verification from your teaching program confirming your eligibility to apply for licensure.

Don’t forget to pay the required fee.

In North Carolina, teachers are required to renew their Professional Educator’s License every five years. This involves earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs). You complete 10 hours of professional development to earn one CEU.

The number of CEUs required for renewal varies, depending on a teacher’s specialty.

North Carolina’s public instruction department publishes a full list of required CEUs and the renewal process.

Make sure you’re keeping a record of your CEUs to ensure you meet all requirements by the time your license expires.

As a teacher, you may not earn the highest salary — but that doesn’t mean you won’t find other advantages for becoming a teacher.

In fact, in North Carolina the number of jobs for elementary school teachers is projected to increase by 7% from 2020 to 2030, according to Projections Central, a database from the U.S. Department of Labor.

And the good news? Teachers in North Carolina still earned above the average annual salary in the state. The average income for teachers in North Carolina was around $52,340 in 2022 — just above the state’s average salary for all occupations— according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you’re still looking to boost your earning potential, consider attending graduate school. A master’s degree in education can open up careers in leadership and education administration, which tend to earn higher salaries.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 2, 2024.