In order to administer license renewal, a License Renewal Plan must be submitted and approved by the NC Department of Public Instruction Licensure Section.  Also, an approved plan must be in place on order to apply for approval to administer an Initial Licensure Program for beginning teachers.  The license renewal plan must demonstrate that the school has the capacity to administer renewal activities in accordance with the policies of the State Board of Education.

The License Renewal Plan must include the following:

1. An individual designated as being in charge of coordinating a license renewable program, along with his/her qualifications for this position.
2. The process which will be implemented to ensure that renewal activities are part of a coherent plan and are compatible with the goals and priorities of the State Board of Education.
3. A system for developing and monitoring each teacher's five-year growth plan, coinciding with the license renewal cycle.
4. A system for evaluation of renewal activities.
5. A system to ensure input and review of individual growth plans.
6. Alignment with State education goals from improved student achievement.

Renewal credit can be granted for the following activities:

• College or University credit activities
• Teaching experience (one unit for one year)
• Local in-service courses or workshops which meet the following:

• Content and instructional activities designed in a sequential manner to develop specified competencies of a specific population.
• Led by qualified instructional personnel and directly supervised by the sponsoring school unit.
• Credit granted on the basis of program completion and achievement of specified individual performance, which is determined by the individual evaluation for specified competencies.

Agencies which the Department authorizes to administer renewal requirements locally shall adopt a procedure to determine the appropriateness of credit in advance of the renewal activity.  In determining appropriateness, the agency must consider a direct relationship to critical job responsibilities, suitability of the content level and properly established credit for the activity.  Each agency must report on the participation in and effectiveness of renewal activities as the Department requests.

Technology Renewal Credit requirement - During each five year cycle, educators shall focus a portion of the renewal credit activities (three to five credits) on technology competencies, relevant to their licensure area(s), as deemed appropriate by their local school system.
 

The Individual Growth Plan should meet the following criteria:

• Focuses on one's licensure area or job responsibility.
• Aligned to the State Board of Education's Strategic priorities. (Currently: higher student achievement, safe and orderly schools, quality administrators/teachers and effective/efficient organizations)
• Addressing the school or district's strategic priorities and improvement plan.
• Addressing the appropriate job-specific performance standards.
• Developing technology competence that is aligned to technology standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
• Encourage peer and supervisor review on an annual basis.


Licensure Renewal Plans should be submitted to:

NC Department of Public Instruction
Licensure Section
301 North Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC  27601-2825
Attn.:  Licensure Renewal Plan Coordinator