North Carolina Teaching License

North Carolina Teaching License – Testing

If you want to get a North Carolina teaching license, you will need to take the Praxis tests.

You may have to take the Praxis Core before you start your college or university teacher education program.


The Praxis Core is a basic skills test containing sections in reading, writing, and math.

FREE PRAXIS CORE MATH PRACTICE

North Carolina Teaching License – Exemptions

Anyone who meets any one of the following conditions may get an exemption from taking the exam:

  • a total SAT Verbal and Quantitative score of 1100 or higher makes you exempt from taking the entire Praxis Core exam.
  • with a total SAT Verbal and Quantitative score of less than 1100, but with a score of at least 550 on the Verbal test, you are exempt from the Praxis Core test sections in Reading and Writing.
  • with a total SAT Verbal and Quantitative score of less than 1100, but with a score of at least 550 on the Math test, you are exempt from taking the Praxis Core in Math.
  • a composite ACT score of 24 or higher makes you exempt from taking the entire Praxis Core exam.
  • with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but with a score of at least 24 on the English test, you are exempt from the Praxis Core sections in Reading and Writing.
  • with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but a score of at least 24 on the Math test, you are exempt from taking the Praxis Core in Math.

To get a North Carolina teaching license, you will also need to take the Praxis subject test for each of your teaching areas.

North Carolina Teaching License – Initial Licenses

In order to receive an initial Professional Educator’s (SP1) License, you must have completed a state approved teacher education program from an accredited college or university.

This initial North Carolina teaching license is also called the “Standard Professional Educator’s License.”

These teaching licenses are for teachers with up to two years of teaching experience.

The licenses are valid for three years.

North Carolina Teaching License – Out-of-State

Out-of-state applicants must have:

  • completed another state’s approved route to licensure
  • hold the federal “Highly Qualified” designation
  • have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
North Carolina Teaching License – Further Information

Standard Professional Educator’s SP2 Licenses are for teachers with 3 or more years of teaching experience, and they are valid for five years.


For further information on North Carolina teacher licensing, please visit the official Board of Education website at the link below:

North Carolina State Board of Education – Teacher Licensure

Praxis Teacher Certification Test – North Carolina

NOTE:  This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Praxis Exams, ETS, or the North Carolina State Board of Education.