How to Become a Teacher in North Carolina:
I Want to Teach While Earning My License
We have two state-approved Educator Preparation Programs for individuals who want to teach while earning their teaching license. Follows these steps to qualify for these programs and earn your full teaching license.
Step 1: Check your eligibility and obtain a position.
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s State Board policy states that teachers can begin without a teaching license. If the teacher is eligible, the teacher can apply for positions and be hired on a residency license.
To be eligible for a teaching position in North Carolina, you need a 2.70 GPA for your bachelor’s degree and:
- 24 hours in your subject area OR
- Degree in your subject area OR
- Praxis/Pearson exam/s in your area
Step 2: Enroll in a state-approved Educator Preparation Program.
State Board policy also states that when hired, the residency teacher must be enrolled in a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). The NC State College of Education offers several EPP programs you can choose from.
Choose from NC State’s two state-approved residency EPP options for individuals who want to teach while earning their license:
Extraordinary Educators Prepare at the NC State College of Education
#1
Teaching Alunni on Statewide Performance Measures
94%
Passage Rate on State Licensing Exams — 30 Points Higher than Average
#1
Producer of STEM Educators in North Carolina
*Sources: UNC Educator Quality Dashboard and N.C. Department of Public Instruction