Licensure Disclaimer and 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.