Lifetime License

Educators with a current NC license who have met one of the following may open an Upgrade or Clear License Area application to request their lifetime license at any time once they meet the eligibility criteria:

• Completed at least 30 or more years of creditable service with the NC Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or
• 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.

Educators must complete the following:

• Log in to the NCDPI Online Licensure System.
• Once logged in, choose “Upgrade/Clear License”.
• Answer the statement of application questions
• Upload their TSERS (ORBIT) statement documenting at least 30 years of creditable service in the required documents list (marked with an asterisk *) under the Attachments section of the application
• Please do not route to a NC college or university as this can prevent and delay the application from reaching NC DPI Licensure for processing
• Pay the nonrefundable and nontransferable $60 processing fee