16 NCAC 06C .0308         Provisional license

(a)  The governing body of a public school unit that has hired or intends to hire an applicant may request that the State Board of Education issue a provisional license or add-on teaching area to an applicant who satisfies the applicable requirements below and whose work assignment is in the area for which the provisional license is sought. Except where otherwise specified below, a provisional license shall expire after five years unless the provisional licensee satisfies all requirements to transition the provisional license to a full license. Provisional licenses for administrators and student services personnel are limited to those listed below.

(b)  Teaching Provisional Add-On

(1)           To add a license area under 16 NCAC 06C. 0307 on a provisional basis, an applicant must first hold an IPL or CPL.

(2)           To clear a provisional teacher license, the applicant must either:

(A)          Satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements for the provisional license area; or

(B)          Complete 24 hours of coursework at an accredited institution of higher education in the provisional license area.

(c)  School Counselor Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional school counselor license, the applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree or higher, be enrolled in a school counselor EPP, and have completed either:

(A)          24 credit hours of coursework in the school counselor EPP; or

(B)          A master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in one of the following counseling areas: addiction; career; clinical mental health; clinical rehabilitation; college counseling and student affairs; marriage, couple, and family; or rehabilitation.

(2)           To clear a provisional school counselor license, the applicant must complete a school counselor EPP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements within three years of the effective date of the provisional license.

(d)  School Social Worker Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional school social worker license, the applicant must have completed a bachelor's degree, master's degree, specialist degree, or doctoral degree in social work and be enrolled in a school social worker EPP.

(2)           To clear a provisional school social worker license, the applicant must complete a school social worker EPP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements.

(e)  School Psychologist Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional school psychologist license, the applicant must have completed all requirements of a specialist or doctoral degree except for the thesis or internship.

(2)           To clear a provisional school psychologist license, the applicant must complete a school psychologist EPP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements.

(f)  Media Coordinator Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional media coordinator license, the applicant must either:

(A)          Hold an A-Level teacher license;

(B)          Have a bachelor's degree or higher in media; or

(C)          Have completed 18 credit hours of graduate degree coursework applicable to a media coordinator EPP.

(2)           To clear a provisional media coordinator license, the applicant must complete a media coordinator EPP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements.

(g)  Assistant Principal Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional assistant principal license, the applicant must be employed by a local board of education and meet one of the following criteria:

(A)          The local board has determined that there is a shortage of persons who hold or are qualified to hold a principal license, and the applicant enrolls in an administrator preparation program ("APP") by the end of the first year of the provisional license.

(B)          The applicant is enrolled in an APP and is participating in an internship required by the APP.

(2)           A provisional assistant principal license is valid for one year and may be renewed twice. The applicant must complete the APP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements by the end of the third year of the provisional license.

(3)           A provisional assistant principal license shall entitle the licensee to serve only as an assistant principal, not a principal.

(h)  Curriculum and Instructional Specialist Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional curriculum and instructional specialist license, the applicant must hold an M-Level teacher license and have at least five years of teaching experience in the content area in which the applicant is serving as a specialist.

(2)           To clear a provisional curriculum and instructional specialist license, the applicant must complete a curriculum and instructional specialist EPP and satisfy any applicable licensure examination requirements.

(i)  Exceptional Children Program Administrator Provisional License

(1)           To qualify for a provisional exceptional children program administrator license, the applicant must hold one of the following:

(A)          M-Level teacher license in an Exceptional Children area;

(B)          Curriculum and instructional specialist license;

(C)          Principal license;

(D)          Superintendent license; or

(E)           School psychologist license.

(2)           To clear a provisional exceptional children program administrator license, the applicant must satisfy the requirements of 16 NCAC 06C .0305(d).

History Note:        Authority G.S. 115C-12(9); 115C-154; 115C-270.1; 115C-270.5; 115C-270.20; 115C-284; 115C-284.1;

Eff. July 1, 1986;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2026.