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SB 147

Relating to the Elliott State Forest.

2025 Regular Session

NC SB 147 lets out-of-state teachers with substantially similar licenses, 3+ years' experience, and good standing receive a North Carolina CPL without any standardized exam.

Effective date, January 1, 2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 147

SB 147 — Teacher License Reciprocity (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Primary subject areas: Education; Licensing & Certification; State Board of Education

Main purpose

SB 147 removes a statutory requirement that the State Board of Education may impose standardized examination requirements on out‑of‑state teachers seeking a North Carolina Continuing Professional License (CPL). The bill is intended to ease interstate teacher mobility by ensuring experienced, licensed teachers from other states can obtain a CPL without being required to take an exam as a condition of licensure.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.S. 115C‑270.25 governing out‑of‑state teacher applicants.
  • Directs the State Board of Education to grant a CPL to an applicant who:
    • Is licensed as a teacher in another state whose licensure requirements are “substantially similar”;
    • Has at least three years of teaching experience; and
    • Is in good standing in the other state.
  • Prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring an out‑of‑state license applicant to take any type of standardized examination as a condition of receiving a CPL under the statute.
  • Effective date: the act becomes effective upon enactment and applies to out‑of‑state license applications submitted on or after that date.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: out‑of‑state certified teachers with ≥3 years’ experience and good standing seeking North Carolina CPLs.
  • Secondary impacts: local school districts and charter schools (potentially expanded applicant pool), students (through staffing impacts), teacher preparation/licensure offices within the State Board of Education (administrative process changes).

Implementation and procedural notes

  • The bill changes eligibility and documentation standards but does not eliminate other licensure checks (e.g., verification of out‑of‑state license status, background checks, or any state statutory requirements not tied to standardized exams).
  • The State Board will need to update CPL application procedures and guidance to reflect the prohibition on exam requirements for qualifying out‑of‑state applicants.
  • Applies only to applications submitted on or after the law’s effective date.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expected to lower barriers for experienced teachers relocating to North Carolina and may help districts fill vacancies more quickly.
  • Could prompt questions about how “substantially similar” licensure requirements will be interpreted and verified in practice.
  • Removes one tool (exam) for the State Board to assess knowledge/competency; the Board and districts may rely more on credential reviews, experience verification, and other measures.

For specific statutory text, see proposed revision to G.S. 115C‑270.25 as introduced January 23, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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