North Dakota Teaching License Guide

License types at a glance

North Dakota uses several license tracks. Most experienced teachers hold a five-year license after initial work in state. New graduates often start on a two-year license until they meet contracted-time rules for the five-year cycle.

• Initial two-year for first in-state licenses while you build ND experience.
• Five-year renewal once you meet ESPB contracted-time rules (commonly after eighteen months full-time equivalent in North Dakota).
• Substitute licenses with lower credit floors for limited assignments.

See the Get Licensed section for first licenses, reciprocity and endorsements.

What counts for renewal credit

Administrative rule 67.1-02-02-05(2) requires six semester hours of re-education credit earned within your current license dates, shown on a college or state-approved alternative program transcript. Succeeding five-year renewals also require evidence of thirty teaching days of contracted service under 67.1-02-02-04(2)(a)(2).

Apply through NDTeach about six months before expiry when paperwork is ready, and budget the $140 five-year renewal fee in 67.1-02-02-04(2)(a)(1) plus any $100 late fee described on ESPB's renewing page if requirements slip past expiration. Read graduate credits that count and fees and deadlines before you buy coursework.