North Dakota Teaching License Renewal

<p>Teachers in North Dakota are required to go through the license renewal process every 2 or 5 years depending on the type of license they hold. This process is done to insure that the educator has upheld the standards required by the licensing board. The North Dakota Education Standards Practices Board (NDESPB) oversees the license credentialing and application process, approves teacher preparation programs and continuing education programs, and sets the professional practice requirements for educators. Find out more details related to license renewal as well as general requirements for obtaining a teaching license. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education/Experience Required</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree; teacher preparation program</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Exam Requirements</b></td><td> Core Academic Skills for Educators exam (5712), (5722), (5732); Praxis II subject assessment</td></tr> <tr><td><b>License Renewal Period</b></td><td> 2 years; 5 years</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Credits Required for Renewal</b></td><td> 0-8 for 2-year renewals; 6 for 5-year renewal</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Average Teacher Salary in ND (2018)*</b></td><td> $55,860 elementary school; $66,900 middle school; $55,400 high school</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Growth (2016-2026)*</b></td><td> 7% elementary school; 8% middle &amp; high school (nationally)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---LicensureTerms">Licensure Terms</h3> <p>The NDESPB sets a standard for the length of license term a teacher is allowed to apply for. There are 2-year terms, 5-year terms, and a lifetime term. Teachers seeking initial licensure will apply for a 2-year initial license. Those seeking a probation license will also seek a 2-year license. Teachers who have been employed for less than 18 months of full time teaching can qualify for a 2-year license renewal. Those with over 18 months of 100% full-time employment can apply for their first 5-year license. Teachers with a 5-year license and less than 30 years of licensure will seek renewal every 5 years. Teachers holding ND licensure for over 30 years can apply for a lifetime license. </p> <h2 id="section---Trainings">Trainings</h2> <p>It is a requirement for all North Dakota educators to take a specialized training before they can qualify for their first renewal. The NDESPB requires educators to participate in the American's Board clinical experience program that supervises and evaluates a teacher's skills as an educator for one full year and requires the teacher to participate in a mentor program. Teachers must also take coursework that specifically addresses working with students of diverse backgrounds and a separate training in youth mental health competency. </p> <h3 id="section---ReEducationCredits">Re-Education Credits</h3> <p>The amount of re-education credits is determined by the type of renewal license the applicant will obtain. A 5-year license requires the applicant to take a minimum of 6 re-education credits to renew for another 5-year license or a life license. Applicants who wish to renew their 2-year license can renew it up to 3 times, for 2-year terms, with no re-education credits. After they have exceeded the 3 consecutive renewals allowed, the applicant must have 8 re-education credits and apply for a 5-year license. All re-education credits must be education-related courses from an accredited university. </p> <h3 id="section---Application">Application</h3> <p>A renewal candidate may begin the renewal process 6 months before their 2-year or 5-year license expires. In North Dakota, a teaching license expires on the applicant's birthday of the expiration year. The renewal candidate can begin the renewal process by logging into their ND TEACH account and select the application for renewal link. Once the candidate has accessed the renewal application site, they will be given a <i>To Do</i> list that will guide the applicant with the requirements needed for renewal. The cost to renew a teaching license is $55 for 2 years and $130 for 5 years. </p> <h3 id="section---HowToGetATeachingLicense">How to Get a Teaching License</h3> <p>The credentialing process to earn a teaching license in North Dakota has 5 requirements: </p> <ol><li>Have a bachelor's degree. </li><li>Complete a state approved teacher preparation program. </li><li>Pass the Core Academic Skills test and Praxis II subject assessment. </li><li>Pass a criminal history background check using a fingerprinting process. </li><li>Submit application and pay a $30 fee using the ND Teach website.</li></ol>