Military Licensure Pathways

North Carolina offers several provisions and pathways to help military service members and their spouses obtain teaching licenses when relocating due to military orders.

H.R. 7939 Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022

North Carolina allows military personnel (and spouses) with out-of-state teaching credentials to immediately begin teaching in NC public schools. The military-connected applicant is not issued a NC educator’s license under this provision, but the valid out-of-state license allows the educator to be paid on the NC teacher salary schedule. Requirements include:

  • The applicant’s license from another jurisdiction (and all other jurisdictions in which the application holds a current license) is current and in good standing
  • The license was actively used (for employment as an educator) during the two years immediately preceding the relocation.
  • The applicant provides a copy of the military orders and documentation of marital status (if applicable).
  • The license from another jurisdiction is appropriate for the position in which the service member or spouse of the service member will be employed.
  • The provision will remain in effect until the military orders expires or June 30th of that same year, whichever is later.
  • Importantly, if a military-connected applicant wishes to obtain a North Carolina educator’s license after the terms of this provision expire, the applicant must meet all NC State Board of Education licensure requirements in effect at the time of application.

Out-of-State Licensed Educators

Spouses of active-duty military personnel in the Armed Forces whose military duty station is in NC and who have been employed by an NC public school must meet all the requirements for licensure set forth in NCSBE policies. Licensure exam scores for spouses of active military personnel do not have to be from the State in which the applicant completed his/her Educator Preparation Program.

Military spouses who already hold a Professional Educator's License from another state may apply for a NC license by:

  • Submitting official documentation and transcripts.
  • Submitting experience Verification forms
  • Submitting passing content and pedagogy assessments (if applicable)
  • Once military personnel or a military spouse becomes employed with a PSU, the PSU will alert NC DPI via their Regional Assistance Licensure Consultants (RALC).

Applying for a NC Educator’s License

To apply for an NC educator license:

  1. Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program or alternate route.
  2. Gather documentation: transcripts, out-of-state license, exams, experience forms.
  3. Submit using the NCDPI Online Licensure System, pay non-refundable fee
  4. Receive IPL or CPL license based on experience and qualifications

Junior ROTC Instructors

Military approval is required to serve as a Junior ROTC instructor. NC recommends that you work with your employing NC PSU once hired in a NC public school system to serve as the Junior ROTC instructor. In addition to the military approval letter, the NC PSU may request a copy of military separation papers (DD-214), and/or transcripts of college course work or degrees earned.

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