Alternative Teaching Certification in North Dakota
North Dakota’s alternative path to teacher licensure is the Alternate Access License, issued to bachelor’s degree holders in a documented shortage area at the request of a school district. The license is issued one year at a time, renewable up to three years, while the holder completes coursework or the American Board program and passes required Praxis exams.
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Alternate routes to teacher licensure are designed by states to encourage those who already have a bachelor’s degree to pursue teaching. North Dakota calls its version the Alternate Access License, and it exists to fill positions in documented shortage areas. Current critical shortage areas in North Dakota have been listed here.
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in North Dakota.
A school district administrator, not the candidate, requests the Alternate Access License directly with the ESPB on an individual basis. Holding this license allows you to work in a North Dakota school while completing the requirements for full teacher licensure. Once you’re certified, our North Dakota teaching salaries and benefits guide covers pay and benefits by district.
Alternative Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree. A degree in the teaching content area is preferred, although candidates may also qualify with at least 30 semester credits in the content area or a closely related field, depending on the assignment. You’ll also need to enroll in a teacher education program at an approved college or university and complete at least 8 semester hours each year toward a degree in education, or complete the American Board’s certification program instead.
The Alternate Access License is issued one year at a time, for up to three years total, while completing an approved educator preparation program. Candidates using the American Board pathway are expected to complete that program during their first year on an Alternate Access License.
Examinations
Testing requirements vary depending on the licensure pathway and endorsement area. Many North Dakota candidates complete Praxis Core and the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessment, while American Board candidates complete the exams required for that pathway. Always verify current testing requirements with ESPB and your preparation program.
Experience
No prior classroom experience is required to receive an Alternate Access License in North Dakota.
Criminal History Background Check
As a candidate for an Alternate Access License in North Dakota, you’ll be asked to submit to a criminal history background check, including fingerprinting. Your college program or the ESPB will provide the fingerprinting instructions and packet.
To complete the fingerprint cards, take them to a police department, sheriff’s office, or campus police station that offers fingerprinting services. Send the fingerprint cards and authorization forms to the ESPB with your application and supporting documents. Your license won’t be issued until the background check is complete.
Contact Information
For more information about state-approved teacher education programs in North Dakota, contact them directly.
If you’d like to learn more about the Alternate Access License, visit the ESPB’s Alternate Access License page or email [email protected], since phone lines and extensions change more often than the agency’s contact page does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alternate Access License in North Dakota?
The Alternate Access License is one of North Dakota’s primary alternative routes to teacher licensure. It’s issued to candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a content area where a school district has a documented teacher shortage. A district must request the license on the candidate’s behalf before the ESPB will issue it.
How long does the Alternate Access License last?
It’s issued one year at a time, for up to three years total, while completing an approved educator preparation program. Candidates using the American Board pathway are expected to complete that program during their first year on an Alternate Access License.
What exams do I need to pass for alternative certification in North Dakota?
Testing requirements vary depending on the licensure pathway and endorsement area. Many North Dakota candidates complete Praxis Core and the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessment, while American Board candidates complete the exams required for that pathway. Always verify current testing requirements with ESPB and your preparation program.
Do I need teaching experience to qualify?
No. North Dakota doesn’t require any prior classroom experience for the Alternate Access License. You will need to pass a criminal history background check, including fingerprinting, before the license is issued.
How do I find out if my subject area has a shortage in North Dakota?
The ESPB publishes a list of current critical shortage areas by content area and grade level. A school district must confirm the shortage and request the license before you can apply.
- The Alternate Access License is North Dakota’s alternative route — it’s issued to bachelor’s degree holders in a documented shortage area, and a school district must request it on your behalf.
- The license renews annually, up to three years — you’ll need a college program or the American Board track to finish coursework requirements within that window.
- Testing requirements vary by pathway — many candidates complete Praxis Core and a Praxis Subject Assessment, while American Board candidates follow that program’s own required exams.
- No prior teaching experience is required — but a criminal history background check, including fingerprinting, is mandatory.
- Traditional certification is a separate path — if you don’t already hold a bachelor’s degree, North Dakota’s traditional route may fit your situation better.
Find accredited North Dakota teacher preparation programs, application requirements, and licensing details to help you pursue certification in the state.
