You must use the NCDPI Online Licensure System to apply for a new license in North Carolina.
NCDPI does not accept paper applications.
Before you begin
Gather the following items:
- Official transcripts with degree completion
Order a transcript from the registrar’s office.
There is a fee for this service.
Have the transcript sent to yourself so that you can upload it to the Licensure site.
The transcript you upload to NCDPI must be degree dated.
Current students should select to hold the transcript until degree have been posted.
The School of Education will not upload your transcript for you. - Test scores (if applicable)
- Any other pertinent information needed for the NC license
- Nonrefundable $55 fee by credit card
All educators pay a nonrefundable fee, whether clearing or upgrading a license.
Important points to remember
- Thoroughly check your application before submitting.
Once you have uploaded all of the items, paid the fee, and submitted your application to UNC-Chapel Hill, you cannot make any changes. - Do not submit your application or pay your fee until all required items are uploaded.
Incomplete applications will expire after 30 days and the processing fee is nonrefundable. - Your applicant statement must be completed before your application can be submitted.
- Your application will only be routed to UNC-Chapel Hill for recommendation once the nonrefundable processing fee is submitted.
- NCDPI will not process your application until UNC-Chapel Hill has completed your recommendation.
UNC-Chapel Hill cannot recommend you if you upload an unofficial transcript, a non-degree dated transcript, or if you do not include applicable test scores. - Incomplete transcripts/applications will delay your license process. Your application may be rejected and you will be notified through the Licensure System, not the university.
How to apply for a new license
Create an account
- Click on the NCDPI Registration link under the green “Educator Registration” header in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Create an account.
Enter and submit your unique account information.
Use your personal email (not your UNC email). - After submitting your information, you will receive an email with a temporary password. Return to the licensure website and sign in using the User ID you chose when you created your account and this temporary password.
- Choose a permanent password.
- You now have a permanent User ID and password.
Complete your application
When you log in to your account, you will see the following two options:
By clicking YES, this indicates that you have been issued a North Carolina Educator’s license (even if provisional or expired). You will provide identifying information and confirm the information.
The licensed educator main menu will display. You will see the following options:
- Select Show Details to view Your license details and print your License certificate.
- Existing applications (including those opened by a school system) which require additional work will be displayed on the screen.
- Required fees will be displayed under Additional Activities. Fees can be bundled so that you only pay the single highest fee when submitting multiple applications at once (e.g., license fee and name change fee).
Use the dropdown menu to open a new application and select one of the following options:
- Clear or Upgrade Existing License Area
(someone completing a higher level license in the same license area by obtaining a degree or clearing a provisional license) - Add New Area by Program Completion
(adding a NEW area to an existing initial license)
Once selected, the application workflow opens to the Introduction page. Read this thoroughly. It lists all items that you need to upload.
After 15 minutes of inactivity, you will be prompted to save your work. Applications that have been created, but not completed will expire after 30 days. Note Item #4: the processing fee is nonrefundable.
Select Next to move through the application screens. You may also use the tabs on the left hand side to navigate to any application screen.
You are required to enter all necessary Information on each screen.
When you come to the final “Summary” page, click Next to submit your application.
- You will see the Fee and Summary page displayed
- Select View PDF Summary Report to save or print a PDF of the application content.
- Select “Pay Now” to pay for application or select “Add to Cart” to pay later.
By clicking NO, this indicates that you have NEVER been issued any type of North Carolina Educator’s license.
Select the In-State Initial Standard Educator.
Select Next to move through the application screens. You may also use the tabs on the left hand side to navigate to any application screen.
You are required to enter all necessary Information on each screen.
When you come to the final “Summary” page, click Next to submit your application.
- You will see the Fee and Summary page displayed
- Select View PDF Summary Report to save or print a PDF of the application content.
- Select “Pay Now” to pay for application or select “Add to Cart” to pay later.