North Carolina General Statutes
Article 17E - Licensure.
§ 115C-270.20 - Licensure requirements.

115C-270.20. Licensure requirements.
(a) Teacher Licenses. - The State Board shall adopt rules for the issuance of the following classes of teacher licenses, including required levels of preparation for each classification:
(1) Continuing professional license or CPL. - A five-year renewable license issued to a teacher who has at least three years of licensed teaching experience and meets other requirements established by the State Board. A CPL shall remain in effect for five years after retirement.
(2) Emergency license or EL. - A one-year nonrenewable license issued to an individual who holds a bachelor's degree with coursework relevant to the requested licensure area, but has not successfully completed a recognized educator preparation program and does not qualify for a residency license. An emergency license shall only be requested by the local board of education, and applicants for emergency licenses shall meet all other requirements established by the State Board, including preservice training, prior to teaching.
(3) Initial professional license or IPL. - A three-year nonrenewable license issued to an individual who has successfully completed a recognized educator preparation program and meets other requirements established by the State Board.
(4) Repealed by Session Laws 2021-180, s. 7.57(a), effective November 18, 2021.
(4a) Limited license. - A three-year nonrenewable license issued to an individual who meets the requirements of this subdivision. A limited license shall only be requested by the local board of education currently employing or seeking to employ the individual and shall be used for continued employment only in that local school administrative unit. The State Board shall not require individuals to demonstrate preparation through achieving a prescribed minimum score on a standardized examination for a limited license. To receive a limited license, one of the following shall be met:
a. In-state licensee. - Both of the following are met:
1. The individual was issued an IPL or RL, but failed to fulfill examination requirements under G.S. 115C-270.15 after three years of licensure.
2. The local board of education submits to the State Board an affidavit stating that the teacher is currently employed by that local board, is an effective teacher, and will be encouraged to continue to pursue a CPL. The affidavit shall be signed by both the principal and superintendent for the school to which the teacher is currently assigned.
b. Out-of-state licensee. - Both of the following are met:
1. The individual holds current teacher licensure in another state that is in good standing.
2. The local board of education submits to the State Board an affidavit stating that the local board seeks to employ the teacher, that the teacher has been employed as a licensed teacher in another state for at least three years, and that the teacher will be encouraged to pursue an IPL or CPL, as appropriate for that teacher. The affidavit shall be signed by the superintendent for the local board of education seeking to employ the teacher.
(5) Residency License or RL. - A one-year license, renewable twice, that meets both of the following requirements:
a. Is requested by the local board of education and accompanied by a certification of supervision from the recognized educator preparation program in which the individual is enrolled.
b. The individual for whom the license is requested meets all of the following requirements:
1. Holds at least one of the following:
I. A bachelor's degree.
II. An advanced degree.
2. Has either completed coursework relevant to the requested licensure area or passed the content area examination relevant to the requested licensure area that has been approved by the State Board.
3. Is enrolled in a recognized educator preparation program.
4. Meets all other requirements established by the State Board, including completing preservice requirements prior to teaching.
(6) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-71, s. 4.2, effective July 1, 2019.
(b) Administrator and Student Services Personnel. - The State Board shall establish classification and levels of preparation necessary for issuance of licenses for administrators and student services personnel.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (a) of this section that an individual must hold a bachelor's degree with coursework relevant to the requested licensure area for individuals seeking licensure in a career or technical education area, the State Board may establish alternate criteria related to that area to establish competency in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
(d) Lifetime License for Professional Educators. - The State Board of Education shall issue a lifetime license, which shall require no renewal, to an individual currently licensed as a professional educator who has met at least one of the following criteria:
(1) Completed 30 or more years of creditable service with the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System.
(2) Completed a combined total of 30 or more years of employment as a licensed teacher, administrator, or student services personnel in one or more public school units in North Carolina. (2017-189, s. 3(c); 2019-71, ss. 2.1, 4.1, 4.2; 2019-212, s. 8(b); 2021-130, s. 8(b); 2021-180, s. 7.57(a).)