Alternative Licensure Pathway

  • There are two primary pathways to becoming a teacher in North Carolina, either through a Traditional Education program or an Alternative program. No matter your route to teaching, we require that all Beginning, Out of State, and International Teachers become licensed by North Carolina.

    There are multiple license types: Professional Educator's Initial License, Professional Educator's Continuing License, Residency License, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Restricted License, and an Emergency License. Information on license types can be found on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) website.

  • If you have a bachelor's degree, you can pursue a career in teaching.
  • If you're interested in pursuing a teaching license through an alternative route, consider attending an Alternative Licensure Pathway webinar for more information. This program offers opportunities in the following instructional content areas:

    • Birth through Kindergarten
    • Elementary K-6
    • Exceptional Children (General and Adaptive Curriculum)
    • Multilingual Learner
    • Secondary English/Language Arts (Middle & High School)
    • Secondary Math (Middle & High School)
    • Secondary Science (Middle & High School)
    • Secondary History/Social Studies (Middle & High School)
  • CMS Teaching Residency

  • Residency License

  • Emergency License

  • Career and Technical Education Restricted Licenses

  • Partner Programs