Lateral Entry Teaching Information

Thank you for your interest in teaching the children of Iredell Statesville Schools through the Lateral Entry Teaching Program. Due to increased interest in the Lateral Entry Program, we ask that you review the following steps in pursuing this career path.

The Licensure Section of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is pleased to assist candidates for lateral entry with information on how to enter the teaching profession. Lateral entry is an “alternate” route to teaching for qualified individuals outside of the public education system. Lateral entry allows qualified individuals to obtain a teaching position and begin teaching right away, while obtaining a license as they teach. The NC Dept of Public Instruction authorizes lateral entry licenses on a provisional basis in licensure areas that correspond to the individual's academic study. Please review the following information and remember that only the hiring school system can initiate the process for lateral entry status.

Graduates of approved education programs who are not recommended for licensure by their college or university are not eligible for a lateral entry license. However, a person who has satisfied all major degree requirements but has a minor deficiency or technical requirement can apply for a lateral entry license if employed by a school system. Such a deficiency cannot exceed six semester hours and must be corrected during the first year of licensure. Individuals who have completed all education program requirements except NCSBE exams (if applicable) are not eligible for lateral entry licensing.

What are the steps for becoming a lateral entry teacher and pursuing a “professional” teaching license?

Step 1: Qualify

The individual must first qualify as a lateral entry teacher to be able to seek a position with a school system.

To Qualify for Lateral Entry in North Carolina – see attached form or website:

Praxis Series Tests – and/or

Pearson Tests

Step 2: Employment

The individual is hired by a school system, which recommends the individual to the NC Department of Public Instruction for a lateral entry license. The individual is issued a three year lateral entry provisional license.

Step 3: Plan of Study

Upon being issued the initial provisional lateral entry license, the individual affiliates with a college or university with an approved teacher education program in the license area or with one of the Regional Alternative Licensing Centers –RALC North Carolina. An individual plan of study is prescribed for the lateral entry teacher.

Step 4: Coursework and Testing

The individual follows their plan of study prescribed by the college or university or the RALC. A minimum of six semester hours per year from the plan of study must be taken until the plan has been completed. All coursework and NCSBE exams for their licensure area must be completed within three years.

Step 5: Recommendation for an Initial License

When the individual completes the required coursework prescribed by the college, university or RALC and satisfies licensure testing requirements, he/she is recommended for licensure by the institution or RALC. This recommendation is sent to the NC Department of Public Instruction where it is evaluated and if the individual has met all their requirements, they are issued an Initial License.

Resources

Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALC)

Teaching candidates with a lateral entry license have another option for pursuing full licensure and that is to utilize one of the states' fourregional alternative licensing centers located in Catawba, Charlotte, Fayetteville and Nashville, NC. The regional alternative licensing centers were created by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) specifically to help lateral entry teachers in North Carolina achieve full licensure. The centers will assist teaching candidates by evaluating their applications, prescribing a course of study, recommending requirements they need in order to receive full licensure, and clearing the license so that they become fully licensed. Candidates can take the necessary coursework at any of the state's colleges or universities.

The regional alternative licensing centers complement what local universities and colleges provide teaching candidates - not replace it. The centers provide a number of benefits for lateral entry teachers including more consistent evaluations, evaluations targeted to the requirements the teacher needs to attain full licensure, flexibility as to where candidates can take their coursework, and training opportunities through local school systems to meet some of the licensing requirements.

SAMPLE RELEVANT MAJORS FOR LATERAL ENTRY

Please note that these are sample relevant majors only. Licensing is determined on an individual basis by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Feel free to visit their website at

  • For Lateral Entry into Art Education (K-12): Art History, Fine Arts, Applied Arts
  • For Lateral Entry into Business Education*: Business Administration, Secretarial Science
  • For Lateral Entry into Elementary Education (K-6): Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, Child & Family Studies (You must pass the NC State Board of Education required tests for Elementary Education prior to teaching)
  • For Lateral Entry into Family & Consumer Sciences*: Home Economics, Child Development, Child & Family Studies, Culinary Arts, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Interior Design, Foods and Nutrition
  • For Lateral Entry into French (K-12): French
  • For Lateral Entry into Health Education (K-12): Health, Public Health, Health Promotion
  • For Lateral Entry into Health Occupations*: Nursing, Medical Technology
  • For Lateral Entry into Marketing Education*: Business and Marketing, Merchandising
  • For Lateral Entry into Music Education (K-12): Music Performance, Musicology, Music Industry, Applied Arts (concentration in Music), Voice, Instrumental Music
  • For Lateral Entry into Physical Education (K-12): Exercise Science, Sports Administration, Recreation, Sports Management
  • For Lateral Entry into Secondary English/Middle Grades Language Arts: English, Literature, Speech
  • For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Math: Mathematics, Electrical Engineering
  • For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Science: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Physical Science
  • For Lateral Entry into Secondary or Middle Grades Social Studies: Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology
  • For Lateral Entry into Spanish (K-12): Spanish
  • For Lateral Entry into Special Education Areas (K-12): Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, Social Work, Speech Language Impaired, Counselor (You must pass the NC State Board of Education required tests for Special Education prior to teaching)
  • For Lateral Entry into Technology Education*: Technical Drafting, Engineer Technology, Industrial Technology
  • For Lateral Entry into Theater Arts (K-12): Theater, Drama, Performing Arts

*NOTE: These are Career Technical Education Programs, which require previous work experience.

If you qualify for Lateral Entry Licensure after reviewing the above information:

Please submit an application for Licensed employment.

Mail a copy of your official, degree-dated transcripts along with a note indicating the date you submitted your application to:

Iredell-Statesville Schools
ATTN: Application Department
PO Box 911
Statesville, NC28687