16 NCAC 06C .0360         license renewal for teachers

(a)  Each teacher holding a CPL must renew that license every five years.

(1)           Teachers in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 must complete eight CEUs during each renewal cycle consisting of the following:

(A)          Three CEUs in the teacher's license area, consistent with 16 NCAC 06C .0385(3) and (4).

(B)          Three CEUs related to literacy, as described in G.S. 115C-270.30(b)(2).

(C)          Two general CEUs that are germane to the K-12 educational environment.

(2)           Teachers in Grades 6 through 12 must complete eight CEUs during each renewal cycle consisting of the following:

(A)          Four CEUs in the teacher's license area, consistent with 16 NCAC 06C .0385(3) and (4).

(B)          Four general CEUs that are germane to the K-12 educational environment.

(b)  Each teacher shall maintain a professional development plan and participate in professional development activities aligned with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, codified at 16 NCAC 06C .0385. Teachers employed by a local board of education must have evidence of a rating of at least "proficient" on the teacher's most recent annual evaluation in NCEES to renew a CPL. For purposes of this Rule, "proficient" shall be defined as achieving a rating of "Proficient" or higher on three of the five North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards as measured by the teacher's annual evaluation, including a rating of "Proficient" on Standard 4.

(c)  Notwithstanding Paragraph (b) of this Rule, if a teacher employed by a local board of education possesses a current CPL, is in the final year of a renewal cycle, and was not deemed proficient on the teacher's most recent annual evaluation, the local school administrative unit ("LSAU") may place the teacher on a mandatory improvement plan in accordance with G.S. 115C-333.1(b) so that the teacher can renew the teacher's license.

(1)           If the LSAU places the teacher on a mandatory improvement plan and the teacher otherwise meets the requirements for licensure, the State Board of Education shall issue the teacher an IPL.

(2)           The term of the mandatory improvement plan shall be 90 instructional days for teachers in schools that are identified as low performing under G.S. 115C-105.37 and 60 instructional days for teachers in all other schools.

(3)           At the conclusion of the three-year term of the IPL, the teacher may apply for a CPL if the teacher meets the requirements of this Rule, including completion of the required CEUs. The LSAU may require additional continuing education of the teacher in accordance with the deficiencies demonstrated on the teacher's annual evaluation.

(4)           If a teacher meets the criteria in Paragraph (a) of this Rule but is not placed on a mandatory improvement plan by the employing LSAU, the teacher's license shall expire at the end of the renewal cycle. A teacher whose license expires under these circumstances shall be eligible to apply for an IPL 30 days after receipt of notice of expiration from the State Board of Education.

(5)           The reversion of a teacher's license from a CPL to an IPL shall not be construed as a demotion in rank or result in a reduction of the teacher's salary.

(d)  A member of the General Assembly shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements provided by this rule during any renewal cycle in which the member serves a term or some portion thereof in the General Assembly, so long as the member notifies the Department of Public Instruction of the exemption during that renewal cycle.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 115C-12(9); 115C-270.5; 115C-270.20; 115C-270.30; 115C-333.1;

Eff. October 1, 2020;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2026.