Questions | General Questions

General Questions

1.1 I've had a career in business for 20 years, but would like to teach now. Is that a possibility?

Yes, you can change careers and go into teaching Business and Marketing Education through a program called the North Carolina Lateral Entry Program. When a school system has a teaching opening in either Business Education or Marketing Education, and has no licensed applicants on file, the system can employ a teacher with a degree in the content area (i.e. business or business related) and seek a provisional or temporary teacher's license from NCDPI.

1.2 What grades can I teach with this program?

You can teach business or marketing subjects at either the middle school or high school level.

1.3 Do I have to have a degree in order to teach?

Yes, a bachelor's degree is required in order to be a licensed teacher. But, a plan can be designed for your particular situation in order to meet the state's guidelines for a license.

1.4 Does my degree have to be in business?

No, your degree does not have to be in business. It could be in marketing, management, computer science or another related area. When you apply for your provisional license, you will be notified about what courses you still have to take in order to meet the requirements for licensure in this area. These courses will be in addition to your professional education courses.

1.5 Do I receive any credit for my business experience?

Yes, most school systems will grant creidt for experience. For each year of work experience you have in business and industry, it is possible to receive credit for a year teaching experience on the state's Class A salary schedule.
Contact your employing school for information.

1.6 How do I find a job in teaching?

You will need to contact school districts in the geographical area you are interested in living. Ask if they have any openings for teachers in Business and / or Marketing Education. If they have an opening and they have no licensed applicants on file, then you could be hired under the North Carolina Lateral Entry Program.

1.7 I have a provisional license. What are my options for earning a Class A license?

When you receive your Provisional License from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), you will also receive a letter that explains what you need to do to obtain a Class A license. Your letter may prescribe specific number of hours in certain content areas. Or, it may indicate that you need to affiliate with an approved teacher education program at a college or university and fulfill whatever requirements the institution prescribes. The letter will be specific to your situation.

1.8 Do I have to enroll in an Initial Licensure Program to get my license?

You have the option to either (1) enroll in an approved teacher education program or you can (2) “do it on your own". If you enroll in an approved program and fulfill the requirements prescribed by the institution, then the program will assume the responsibility for ensuring that you meet licensure requirements. When you have satisfied the requirements specified by the institution, it will process your application for the Class A licensure. If you decide not to enroll in an approved program, you assume the responsibility of fulfilling the state licensure requirements and you deal directly with the NCDPI.

1.9 Do I have to take any “final exam" in order to receive my Class A license?

You will be required to pass a PRAXIS Specialty Area Examination. This exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service and is required in many states for teacher licensure.