16 NCAC 06C .0363         General license renewal requirements

(a)  A professional educator may receive CEUs through any of the following means:

(1)           College or university credit.

(2)           Professional development programs.

(3)           A teacher who receives certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ("National Board Certification") shall receive credit for all eight CEUs for the renewal cycle in which the teacher receives the certification. A teacher who renews a National Board Certification shall receive credit for two CEUs for the renewal cycle in which the teacher renews the certification.

(b)  The governing body of a public school unit may request that the State Board of Education validate an expired CPL issued to an applicant under the employment of the PSU governing body, even if the educator does not have the requisite CEUs, provided that the educator was not employed by any PSU during the preceding fiscal year. A validated CPL shall be effective for three years, and the educator must complete the relevant renewal requirements in this Section by the end of the third year to renew the CPL for a new five-year renewal cycle.

(c)  Hours spent attending mandatory training programs shall contribute toward the calculation of continuing education credits for a professional educator if:

(1)           The mandatory training program is required by State law or by a local board of education as a condition of employment; and

(2)           The professional educator has otherwise met the renewal requirements for the type of license being renewed in accordance with Rules .0360, .0361, or .0362 of this Section.

(d)  Each PSU shall adopt policies and procedures for ensuring that the activities completed for renewal credit by licensed professional educators in its employment meet the criteria set forth in this Section and are appropriate for each individual educator. In determining the appropriateness of the activity, the PSU shall consider the following:

(1)           Direct relationship between the activity and the educator's work responsibilities;

(2)           Any school improvement plan in effect for the educator's assigned school, if applicable; and

(3)           Strategic priorities of the State Board of Education.

(e)  Nothing in this Section shall preclude a PSU or its governing body from establishing additional continuing education requirements for its employees based on local needs and in accordance with local policies, rules, and regulations.

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

Emergency Adoption Eff. August 20, 2019;

Eff. March 17, 2021;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2026.