16 NCAC 06C .0337         Continuing professional license

(a)  To qualify for a continuing professional teacher license, an applicant must:

(1)           Hold an initial professional educator license or residency license in North Carolina;

(2)           Satisfy the applicable licensure examination requirements before or during the third year of licensure, provided that the applicant must attempt the examinations at least once during the first year of licensure if the applicant did not satisfy the examination requirements before receiving an IPL;

(3)           Have a least three years of licensed teaching experience; and

(4)           Have completed a Beginning Teacher Support Program, as provided in 16 NCAC 06C .0381, unless the applicant either:

(A)          Has at least three years of licensed teaching experience outside of North Carolina; or

(B)          Previously held a CPL that reverted to an IPL in accordance with 16 NCAC 06C .0360(c).

(b)  To qualify for a continuing professional administrator or student services personnel license, an applicant must:

(1)           Satisfy the applicable licensure examination requirements before or during the third year of licensure, provided that the applicant must attempt the examinations at least once during the first year of licensure if the applicant did not satisfy the examination requirements before receiving an IPL; and

(2)           Meet other requirements for the license provided by Rule .0305 or .0306 of this Section.

(c)  To qualify for a CPL based on possession of a clear license in another jurisdiction, an applicant must meet the requirements of 16 NCAC 06C .0344(c).

(d)  A CPL shall entitle the licensee to practice as an independent professional educator in North Carolina.

(e)  A CPL shall remain in effect for five years after the licensee retires from full-time employment as a professional educator.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 115C-12(9); 115C-270.5; 115C-270.15; 115C-270.20; 115C-295;

Eff. October 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2026.