Areas of Licensure
Do I Need a Professional Educator's License To Work in NC Public Schools?
All North Carolina teachers, student services personnel and administrators must be licensed to serve in the public schools. Completion of an approved educator preparation program (EPP) whether traditional or alternative is the route to licensure. See Beginning the Process for an Educator's License for more detailed information on the licensure process and the specific documentation required to apply.
Apply or Update Your License Online Now!
If you have completed either an in-state or out-of-state approved EPP you may access the NCDPI Online Licensure System to apply for or update a current license. Instructions and more information are available within the online licensure system to guide you through the application process.
Current Professional Educator's License Categories Issued by the State of North Carolina
This category covers grades Birth-6
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Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) |
Elementary (K-6) Science Add-on** |
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Preschool Add-on* |
Reading (K-6) |
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Elementary (K-6) |
English as a Second Language [ESL] (K-6) |
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Elementary (K-6) Second Language++ |
Exceptional Children: General Curriculum (K-6) |
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Elementary (K-6) Math Add-on** |
Exceptional Children: Adapted Curriculum (K-6) |
* Available only to teachers with current licenses in elementary education, special education, or family and consumer sciences.
** Available upon completion of NCSBE approved educator preparation programs offered by approved NC universities.
++ May be added only to an Elementary (K-6) license and is valid for full-time assignments in grades 6 and below
This category includes grades 6-9
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Middle Grades Language Arts |
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Mathematics Middle Grades Mathematics |
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Mathematics Middle Grades Science |
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Middle Grades Social Studies |
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Middle Grades Literacy Coach** |
** Available only to teachers who complete the NC
Teacher Academy Middle School Literacy Coach Training Program
This category includes grades 9-12
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English |
Anthropology |
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Mathematics |
French |
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Science |
Spanish |
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Earth Science |
German |
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Biology |
Japanese |
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Physics |
Russian |
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Chemistry |
Latin |
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Social Studies |
Bible |
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Political Science |
Journalism ++ |
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Geography |
Psychology ++ |
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History |
Italian |
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Economics |
Chinese |
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Sociology |
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++ Issued only to individuals fully licensed in another area.
This category includes grades K-12
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Art |
American Sign Language |
Hebrew |
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Music |
French |
Hindi |
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Dance |
Spanish |
Italian |
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Theater Arts |
German |
Korean |
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Health Specialist |
Japanese |
Latin |
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Physical Education |
Russian |
Portuguese |
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Health and Physical Education |
Arabic |
Swahili |
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Safety and Driver Education* |
Cherokee |
Turkish |
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Speech Communication |
Chinese |
Computer Education Endorsement++ |
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ESL |
Greek (Ancient) |
Junior ROTC |
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Reading |
Greek (Modern) |
Other Second Languages |
* Issued only if individual is fully licensed in another state or upon completion of NCSBE approved alternate route program.
++ Issued only to individuals fully licensed in another area.
This category covers all K-12 exceptionalities. In other states, this category may also be called Special Education.
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Specific Learning Disabled |
Cross Categorical (mildly/moderately disabled) |
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Academically Gifted |
Severely/Profoundly Disabled |
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
Mentally Disabled |
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Special Education: General Curriculum |
Visually Impaired |
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Special Education: Adapted Curriculum |
Behaviorally/Emotionally Disabled |
This category includes grades 6-12. Vocational Education is a term used in other states for this group of license areas.
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Agriculture Education |
Health Science Education – Registered Nurse |
Trade and Industrial Education-Collision Repair |
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Business, Finance and Information Technology Education |
Health Science Education –Non-RN |
Trade and Industrial Education- Automotive Service |
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Career Development Coordinator |
Health Science Education –Biotechnology |
Trade and Industrial Education-Construction |
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Curriculum and Instructional Management Coordinator |
Information Technology Education |
Trade and Industrial Education-Drafting |
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Family and Consumer Sciences - General |
Marketing Education |
Trade and Industrial Education-Welding |
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Family and Consumer Sciences - Apparel |
Special Populations Coordinator (Handicap/Disadvantaged) |
Trade and Industrial Education- Manufacturing |
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Family and Consumer Sciences -Child Development & Family Studies |
Technology Engineering and Design Education |
Trade and Industrial Education-Digital Media |
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Family and Consumer Sciences -Foods and Nutrition/Culinary Arts |
Technology Engineering and Design Education-Sci Vis & Game Art |
Trade and Industrial Education-Public Safety |
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Family and Consumer Sciences -Interior Design |
Career and Technical Education Director |
Special Populations Coordinator |
This category includes K-12 school and district level Administrative roles.
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Superintendent* |
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Principal** |
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Curriculum Instructional Specialist** |
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Instructional Technology Specialist - Computers** |
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Media Supervisor** |
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Exceptional Children Program Administrator** |
* Initial license is issued only at Educational Specialist or Doctoral levels
** Initial license is issued only at master's level or above
This category includes K-12 student services personnel who provide support services to school-aged children.
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School Counselor* |
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School Social Worker |
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School Psychologist** |
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Instructional Technology Specialist - Telecommunications* |
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Media Coordinator* |
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Audiologist* |
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Speech-Language Pathologist*** |
* Initial license is issued only at master's level or above
** Initial license is issued only at Educational Specialist (sometimes called Advanced) or Doctoral levels
*** Effective July 1, 2011, the NCSBE will accept only a current and valid North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists license as the qualifying credential for service in public schools.