North Carolina State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

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Discipline Audiologist
License/Certificate Audiologists
State Department North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncboeslpa.org/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Submit transcripts from one or more accredited colleges or universities presenting evidence of the completion of 90 semester hours constituting a well-integrated program of course study dealing with the normal aspects of human communication, the development of human communication, the disorders associated with human communication, and the clinical techniques for evaluation and management of such disorders.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Present written evidence documenting 1,800 clock hours of professional experience directly supervised by an audiologist who is State-licensed or certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or other Board-approved agency. The clock hours of professional experience must be with individuals who present a variety of communication and auditory disorders and must have been obtained within the training program at an accredited college or university or in one of its cooperating programs.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Audiology Quiz (open book) 2. The special examinations in audiology which are part of the National Teacher's Examination, administered by the Educational Testing Service, will constitute the written examination required, 170.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

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Discipline Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
License/Certificate Deaf and Hard of Hearing
State Department North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Not specified
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Undergraduate degree-seeking students must satisfactorily complete the Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test [PPST] or Computer Based Test [CBT]) for formal admission to the approved teacher education programs in North Carolina IHEs. The required scores follow 1. PPST Reading 156 2. PPST Writing 162 3. PPST Mathematics 150 4. Composite score:468 or 1. CBT Reading 323 2. CBT Writing 319 3. CBT Mathematics 318
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary A process for granting entry into the teaching profession (lateral entry license) for up to three school years, while the individual completes requirements for the designated teaching area (requires educator to complete a minimum 6 semester hours per year) Individuals licensed at the class A (Bachelor's) level or higher may have other areas added on a provisional basis to their license as needed and requested by the employing LEA. Effective June 30, 2006, provisional licenses will no longer be issued for the elementary grades level or at the middle and high school levels in license areas required for teaching the core academic subjects.

Early Childhood Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Birth-Kindergarten (B-K)
State Department North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/areas-licensure
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 5 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Undergraduate degree-seeking students must satisfactorily complete the Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test [PPST] or Computer Based Test [CBT]) for formal admission to the approved teacher education programs in North Carolina IHEs. The required scores follow 1. PPST Reading 156 2. PPST Writing 162 3. PPST Mathematics 150 4. Composite score:468 or 1. CBT Reading 323 2. CBT Writing 319 3. CBT Mathematics 318 Although no test is required for the Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) license, B-K teachers may be designated highly qualified to teach kindergarten by earning a score of 155 or higher on Praxis test 0022.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary A process for granting entry into the teaching profession (lateral entry license) for up to three school years, while the individual completes requirements for the designated teaching area (requires educator to complete a minimum 6 semester hours per year) Individuals licensed at the class A (Bachelor's) level or higher may have other areas added on a provisional basis to their license as needed and requested by the employing LEA. Effective June 30, 2006, provisional licenses will no longer be issued for the elementary grades level or at the middle and high school levels in license areas required for teaching the core academic subjects.

Early Childhood Special Educator – Birth-Kindergarten

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Birth-Kindergarten (B-K)
State Department North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educators-licensure/areas-licensure
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 5 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Undergraduate degree-seeking students must satisfactorily complete the Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test [PPST] or Computer Based Test [CBT]) for formal admission to the approved teacher education programs in North Carolina IHEs. The required scores follow 1. PPST Reading 156 2. PPST Writing 162 3. PPST Mathematics 150 4. Composite score:468 or 1. CBT Reading 323 2. CBT Writing 319 3. CBT Mathematics 318 Although no test is required for the Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) license, B-K teachers may be designated highly qualified to teach kindergarten by earning a score of 155 or higher on Praxis test 0022.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary A process for granting entry into the teaching profession (lateral entry license) for up to three school years, while the individual completes requirements for the designated teaching area (requires educator to complete a minimum 6 semester hours per year) Individuals licensed at the class A (Bachelor's) level or higher may have other areas added on a provisional basis to their license as needed and requested by the employing LEA. Effective June 30, 2006, provisional licenses will no longer be issued for the elementary grades level or at the middle and high school levels in license areas required for teaching the core academic subjects.

Early Childhood Special Educator – Infant, Toddler and Family Associate

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Infant, Toddler, and Family Associate
State Department North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services
State Department Hyperlink https://beearly.nc.gov/index.php/providers/certification
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 3 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Associate's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Required Credits for the Infant, Toddler & Family Associate Certificate: A. Child Development (2) B. Family Development (1) C. Screening and Assessment (1) D. Interdisciplinary Family Service Planning (1) E. Intervention Strategies (2) F. Interagency and Community Process (1) G. Professionalism and Ethics (2)
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Applicants with valid and current NC Birth through Kindergarten (BK) licensure automatically meet competency requirements. However, applicants must submit the Observation of Applicant's Practice (Page II-3) and a copy of their valid NC license and transcript with their application to the Reviewer.

Family Therapist

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Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Marriage and family therapists
State Department The North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncbmft.org/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Training required for an applicant with a related degree in G.S. 90-270.54(1)a is a graduate degree that includes marriage and family therapy content including coursework in the theoretical foundation of marriage and family therapy, assessment and diagnosis, the practice of marriage and family therapy; human development and family relations; professional identity and ethics, clinical research, and supervised clinical practicum or internship. A minimum is of or quarter-hour equivalent to a 45-semester hour graduate program. Thirty-three semester hours or their quarter-hour equivalent shall consist of the following content and clinical training: (1) Theoretical Foundation of Marriage and Family Therapy (six semester hours); (2) Assessment and Diagnosis (three semester hours); (3) Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy (six semester hours); (4) Human Development and Family Relations (three semester hours); (5) Professional Identity and Ethics (three semester hours); (6) Research in Marriage and Family Therapy (three semester hours); and (7) Supervised Clinical Practicum or Internship (nine semester hours). The remaining 18 semester hours shall consist of course work appropriate to the disciplinary specialty in which the degree is granted.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Applicants for licensure must have accumulated a minimum of 200 hours of approved ongoing supervision concurrent with the completion of the 1,500 hours of clinical experience required by G.S. 90-270.54(a)(1)b. Not more than 500 hours of which were obtained while the candidate was a student in a master's degree program. Must include face-to-face client contact and clinical supervision with individuals, couples, and families in a clinical setting. Minimum of 40 hours of clinical contact and 8 hours of approved supervision equals a three-semester hour practicum. (9 semester hours)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination. The passing score on the examination shall be determined by the Board in collaboration with the testing agency. The simple answer is that the number of questions correctly answered out of a possible 200 is the raw score or passing score.

Nurse

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Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse
State Department The North Carolina Board of Nursing
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncbon.com/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Not Specified
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Completion of a member Board approved RN or LPN nursing education program. Didactic content and supervised clinical experience appropriate to program type shall include: (1) Using informatics to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making, (2) Employing evidence-based practice to integrate the best research with clinical expertise and client values for optimal care, including skills to identify and apply best practices to nursing care by: (A) providing client-centered, culturally competent care; (B) respecting client differences, values, preferences and expressed needs; (C) involving clients in decision-making and care management; (D) coordinating and managing continuous client care consistent with the level of licensure. This includes demonstration of the ability to supervise others and provide leadership of the profession appropriate for program type; and (E) promoting healthy lifestyles for clients and populations. (3) Working in interdisciplinary teams to cooperate, collaborate, communicate and integrate client care and health promotion. (4) Participating in quality improvement processes to measure client outcomes, identify hazards and errors, and develop changes in processes of client care. Beginning January 1, 2008, a focused client care experience with a minimum of 90 hours shall be provided in the final semester of curriculum implementation for programs preparing practical nurses.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of a member Board approved RN or LPN nursing education program. Didactic content and supervised clinical experience appropriate to program type shall include: (1) Using informatics to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making, (2) Employing evidence-based practice to integrate the best research with clinical expertise and client values for optimal care, including skills to identify and apply best practices to nursing care by: (A) providing client-centered, culturally competent care; (B) respecting client differences, values, preferences and expressed needs; (C) involving clients in decision-making and care management; (D) coordinating and managing continuous client care consistent with the level of licensure. This includes demonstration of the ability to supervise others and provide leadership of the profession appropriate for program type; and (E) promoting healthy lifestyles for clients and populations. (3) Working in interdisciplinary teams to cooperate, collaborate, communicate and integrate client care and health promotion. (4) Participating in quality improvement processes to measure client outcomes, identify hazards and errors, and develop changes in processes of client care.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), pass/fail
Additional requirements specific for schools? The DPI licensure section does not license school nurses. However, school nurses (employed after June 30, 1993) shall be required to hold a school nurse certificate from the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Registered nurses without ANA or NASN may be employed provisionally and must complete licensure requirements within three years.

Occupational Therapist

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Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Occupational Therapist
State Department The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
State Department Hyperlink https://www.occupationaltherapylicense.org/north-carolina-occupational-therapy.html
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Successful completion of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, 450 2. Successful completion of the Board's jurisprudence exam on the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Rules of the Board, 100%.

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Physical Therapist
State Department The North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
State Department Hyperlink https://www.psychologist-license.com/states/north-carolina-psychologist-license/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Not Specified
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. National Physical Therapist Examinations approved by FSBPT, 600 2. Jurisprudence Exercise

Psychologist

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Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Licensed Psychologist
State Department North Carolina Psychology Board
State Department Hyperlink https://www.psychologist-license.com/states/north-carolina-psychologist-license/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The program of study shall include a minimum of 60 semesters (90 quarter or 80 trimesters) hours of graduate study in standard psychology courses, exclusive of credits for internship/practicum and thesis/dissertation, including instruction in scientific and professional ethics and standards, research design and methodology, statistics and psychometrics, and the specialty area. No credit shall be allowed for audited courses or courses taken at an institution that does not meet the definition of an "institution of higher education" as defined by G.S. 90-270.2(5). The program shall include demonstrated competency in the four substantive content areas identified in this Subparagraph; this shall be met through a minimum of three semesters (five quarter or four trimesters) hours in each of these content areas: (A) biological bases of behavior (e.g., physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, psychopharmacology); (B) cognitive-affective bases of behavior (e.g., cognition, memory, learning, thinking, motivation, emotion); (C) social bases of behavior (e.g., social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory, cultural and ethnic bases, sex roles); (D) individual differences (e.g., personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology, individual differences).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? For permanent licensure as a licensed psychologist, an otherwise qualified psychologist must secure two years of acceptable and appropriate supervised experience germane to his or her training and intended area of practice as a psychologist. One of these years may be predoctoral and the Board shall establish rules governing appropriate supervised predoctoral experience.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. The national examination is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) which is developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The EPPP assesses the applicant's knowledge of the subject matter of psychology and his or her understanding of professional and ethical problems in the practice of psychology. The passing point for a licensed psychologist shall be a scaled score of 500, and the passing point for licensed psychological associates shall be a scaled score of 440. 2. The Board-developed state examination assesses the applicant's knowledge of the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act, selected rules of the Board covering such topics as education and supervision, and other legal requirements. The passing point for all licensees shall be set at 78% of the total scored items on the examination. 3. Upon proof that an applicant or licensee has engaged in any of the prohibited actions specified in G.S. 90-270.15(a), the Board may administer a state oral examination which assesses knowledge of the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act, selected rules of the Board covering such topics as education and supervision, and other legal requirements.

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate School Psychologist
State Department Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Education, Public Schools of North Carolina
State Department Hyperlink https://ncschoolpsychology.med.unc.edu/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The program of study shall include a minimum of 60 semesters (90 quarter or 80 trimesters) hours of graduate study in standard psychology courses, exclusive of credits for internship/practicum and thesis/dissertation, including instruction in scientific and professional ethics and standards, research design and methodology, statistics and psychometrics, and the specialty area. No credit shall be allowed for audited courses or courses taken at an institution that does not meet the definition of an "institution of higher education" as defined by G.S. 90-270.2(5). The program shall include demonstrated competency in the four substantive content areas identified in this Subparagraph; this shall be met through a minimum of three semesters (five quarter or four trimesters) hours in each of these content areas: (A) biological bases of behavior (e.g., physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, psychopharmacology); (B) cognitive-affective bases of behavior (e.g., cognition, memory, learning, thinking, motivation, emotion); (C) social bases of behavior (e.g., social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory, cultural and ethnic bases, sex roles); (D) individual differences (e.g., personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology, individual differences).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? For permanent licensure as a licensed psychologist, an otherwise qualified psychologist must secure two years of acceptable and appropriate supervised experience germane to his or her training and intended area of practice as a psychologist. One of these years may be predoctoral and the Board shall establish rules governing appropriate supervised predoctoral experience.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. The national examination is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) which is developed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The EPPP assesses the applicant's knowledge of the subject matter of psychology and his or her understanding of professional and ethical problems in the practice of psychology. The passing point for a licensed psychologist shall be a scaled score of 500, and the passing point for a licensed psychological associate shall be a scaled score of 440. 2. The Board-developed state examination assesses the applicant's knowledge of the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act, selected rules of the Board covering such topics as education and supervision, and other legal requirements. The passing point for all licensees shall be set at 78% of the total scored items on the examination. 3. Upon proof that an applicant or licensee has engaged in any of the prohibited actions specified in G.S. 90-270.15(a), the Board may administer a state oral examination which assesses knowledge of the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act, selected rules of the Board covering such topics as education and supervision, and other legal requirements.

Social Worker – Certified Master

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Certified Master Social Worker
State Department The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncswboard.org/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? ASWB Master level examination or ACSW examination. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Need to apply: Completion of an approved program in school social work at the bachelor's level or above

Social Worker – Certified

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Certified social workers
State Department The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncswboard.org/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? ASWB Bachelor level examination. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Need to apply: Completion of an approved program in school social work at the bachelor's level or above

Speech Language Pathologist

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Discipline Speech Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Speech and Language Pathologists
State Department The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists
State Department Hyperlink https://www.ncboeslpa.org/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Submit transcripts from one or more accredited colleges or universities presenting evidence of the completion of 75 semester hours constituting a well-integrated program of course study dealing with the normal aspects of human communication, development thereof, disorders thereof, and clinical techniques for evaluation and management of such disorders. a. Fifteen of these 75 semester hours must be obtained in courses that provide information that pertains to normal development and use of speech, language and hearing. b. Thirty-six of these 75 semester hours must be in courses that provide information relative to communication disorders and information about and training in evaluation and management of speech, language, and hearing disorders. At least 24 of these 30 semester hours must be in courses in speech and language pathology. c. Credit for study of information pertaining to related fields that augment the work of the clinical practitioner of speech and language pathology or audiology may also apply toward the total 75 semester hours. d. Thirty-six of the total 75 semester hours that are required for a license must be in courses that are acceptable toward a graduate degree by the college or university at which they are taken. Moreover, 21 of those semester hours must be in graduate level courses in speech and language pathology.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Submit evidence of the completion of a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised, direct clinical experience with individuals who present a variety of communication disorders. This experience must have been obtained within the training institution or in one of its cooperating programs in the following areas: (i) Speech - Adult (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); Children (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); (ii) Language - Adult (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic); Children (20 diagnostic and 20 therapeutic). Each new applicant must submit a verified clinical clock hour summary sheet signed by the clinic or program director, in addition to completion of the license application.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Speech Language Pathology Quiz (open book) 2. The special examinations in speech pathology which are part of the National Teacher's Examination, administered by the Educational Testing Service, will constitute the written examination required, 600.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Effective July 1, 2011 the North Carolina State Board of Education will accept only a current valid North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NCBOESLPA) license as the qualifying credential for service in public schools. Once the speech-language pathologist has a NCBOESLPA license, they may apply to the Licensure Section of DPI.

Vision Specialist

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Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Visually Impaired
State Department Department of Public Instruction, State Board of Education, License Division, Public Schools of North Carolina
State Department Hyperlink https://www.dpi.nc.gov/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Not specified
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Undergraduate degree-seeking students must satisfactorily complete the Praxis I (Pre-Professional Skills Test [PPST] or Computer Based Test [CBT]) for formal admission to the approved teacher education programs in North Carolina IHEs. The required scores follow 1. PPST Reading 156 2. PPST Writing 162 3. PPST Mathematics 150 4. Composite score:468 or 1. CBT Reading 323 2. CBT Writing 319 3. CBT Mathematics 318 Prxas II: Visually impaired, 550
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Effective June 30, 2019, the Lateral Entry License is replaced by the Residency Pathway and is no longer issued by NCDPI, June 30, 2022, is the last date to fulfill all requirements if issued a Lateral Entry License by June 30, 2019, or earlier.
The current alternative pathway to be issued a teaching license in North Carolina is the Residency License (RL). In order to be issued an RL an individual must meet these requirements: a,) is requested by the local board of education & accompanied by a certification of supervision from the recognized educator prep program in which the individual is enrolled. b) The individual for whom the license is requested meets all of the following requirements: 1. holds a bachelor's degree. 2. Has either completed coursework relevant to the requested licensure area or passed the content area exam relevant to the requested licensure area that has been approved by the state board. 3. is enrolled in a recognized educator prep program. 4. Meets all other requirements established by the State Board, including completing preservice requirements prior to teaching.