Licensure Renewal
Certified employees who hold a continuing license must renew that license every five years. The renewal window opens May 1st each year in the NCDPI Online Licensure System. The cost of renewal is $35, payable in the Online Licensure System after completion of the Statement of Applicant.
Need Renewal Credit?
Below are the requirements. If you are looking for additional CEUs, you will find more resources in the Professional Development folder in CCSEngage.
| Area | Minimum Total | Minimum Literacy | Minimum Content | Minimum General | Minimum Executive Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary (PK-6) | 8.0 CEUs | 3.0 CEUs | 3.0 CEUs | 2.0 CEUs | Not required for this area. |
| School Administrators | 8.0 CEUs | Not required for this area. | Not required for this area. | 4.0 CEUs | 4.0 CEUs |
| All Others | 8.0 CEUs | Not required for this area. | 4.0 CEUs | 4.0 CEUs |
Not required for this area. |
Renewal Criteria
- A unit of renewal credit (CEU) is equal to 10 clock hours of professional development
- 8 units of renewal credit are required to renew both a current and expired CPL
- For a CPL to remain current, all renewal credit must be earned by the expiration date of the license.
Activities Accepted for Renewal Credit:
- College or university courses
- Official transcripts are required as documentation; grade reports are not accepted.
- Local in-service courses or workshops
- The administrative unit certifies credits.
- Classes and workshops approved by a PSU
- Documentation of completion is provided by the agency sponsoring the activity.
Adding Certificates to Your Renewal Credit History
If you have attended and completed any professional development, use Timekeeper to add the certificate to your renewal credit history. The video below walks you step-by-step through the process.
The Lifetime Teaching License
This license is available to those who have completed 30 years of teaching, regardless of retirement status. This type of license requires no renewal. Applicants should wait until the end of their current renewal cycle to apply and must include documentation from the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System showing 30 years of service. There is a $35 fee for this renewal.
Revalidating a Teaching License
If a North Carolina teaching license expires, you may apply to revalidate it through the Online Licensure System. You must complete, within three years, the required Continuing Education Credits for your specific licensure area as indicated in the chart above.
If you are revalidating your teaching license in order to apply for the Lifetime license, you still must complete all the renewal credits and submit them to the Licensure Section.