Licensure Reciprocity

Licensure Disclaimer Statement

The Teacher Education Program at the Department of Education prepares candidates for North Carolina licensure. Successful completion of the Teacher Education Program and North Carolina licensure testing requirements will lead to a North Carolina teaching license. Candidates who are seeking licensure in other states must obtain more information by contacting the licensure agencies in the respective states.

Reciprocity Information

Reciprocity applies to the extent that out-of-state education programs are equivalent to standards and guidelines of North Carolina’s approved education programs. Reciprocity does not guarantee that all areas of licensure will transfer directly from one state to another, and you may be awarded the closest comparable North Carolina areas. In some cases, North Carolina grade levels differ from those on the license you hold from a reciprocal state, and such a difference may be reflected on your license.  It would be best if you verified with the Department of Public Instruction or Department of Education in the new state to find how to apply for your credentials there, as the laws and policies in the other states can change anytime.

Map for NASDTEC Members: This map will help you find the states that have Interstate Agreement with North Carolina through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

According to NASDTEC, North Carolina has “reciprocity agreements” with these states:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California (with professional teaching license only)
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming

The following states are also members of NASDTEC but have limited or no reciprocity with North Carolina:
Alabama
Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Map for Licensure Agencies: This map will help you to locate the main website for a state’s licensure agency. Each state has different licensure requirements. 

If you have any additional questions or require further clarification, please contact the Licensure Officer, Dr. Neelam Awan, at the Department of Education. If you need information about the Counseling program and licensure, please contact Dr. Nathaniel Ivers, the chair at the Department of Counseling.