North Dakota Teaching License

If you want to be a teacher at a public K-12 school in ND, first of all, you need to get a teaching license. North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board controls the teacher licensure process. In order to find a detailed description of how to get a teaching license, continue reading.

How to Become a Teacher in North Dakota

In order to be able to teach in public K-12 schools in North Dakota, first of all, you need to get your teaching license. And to earn it you need to meet some basic requirements. So, you need to have a bachelor’s degree, take an approved teacher training program and pass the board accredited content and subject exam for educators.

Note: If you didn’t take the preparation program you can apply for alternative certification in North Dakota.

North Dakota has a multi-level licensure system for teachers. First, in your early career, if you meet all the requirements, you can get a two-year Initial In-State License. After you have worked as a teacher for two years, you can advance your license. And this one is provided for five years.

Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in North Dakota

Like other states in North Dakota also, the most essential part is to find a good board-approved training program. To be able to provide qualifications for teachers, a teacher training program needs to be accredited by the board of education for the state in which it is located. And to find a list of the approved programs visit the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.

In addition, it is important to make sure that your bachelor’s degree program has regional accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the US Department of Education. Especially when you take the courses out-of-state.

In addition, the programs need to have accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP accreditation is not necessary, but it proves the quality of the institution.

North Dakota Teacher Education Requirements

As you may know, the standard pathway to get a teaching license in North Carolina includes having a bachelor’s degree and taking a teacher training program. It should consist of a general studies component, professional studies in education, and content-specific coursework. In order to earn your teaching license in ND, you need to get a 2.50 overall grade point average on all the coursework taken in college. The bachelor’s degree major needs to include at least 32 credit hours. The coursework must be based on the grade level you wish to teach. But no matter what you are going to teach, you need to take a course in Native American Studies.

For more information contact the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.

North Dakota Teacher Testing Requirements

Like many other states, North Dakota also uses the Praxis series of tests for teacher licenses. You need to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test. This a basic skills test, designed to check knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics. Also, you need to get a passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessments for the subject you want to teach.

Additional North Dakota Teacher Certification Requirements

North Dakota requires you to provide a fingerprint and federal criminal background check if you apply for the first time. So, you can get a fingerprint card from the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board. An official fingerprint you can complete at any authorized law enforcement agency.

North Dakota Teachers Licensing Application Process

After you have met all the requirements. You have reached the final step where you need to complete and submit your application to the Education Standards and Practices Board. So, with your application, you need to provide all these documents.

• Original transcripts from bachelor’s degree.
• Certificate of completed an approved teacher preparation program.
• Acceptable score on the required Praxis exams.
• Completed fingerprint card for state and federal background check.
• Letters of recommendation from recent teaching supervisors.
• Non-refundable payment fee for the certification process
• North Dakota teaching license application

You must submit your application online via ND Teach. For more information and further details visit the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.