North Dakota Teacher Certification Renewal
North Dakota teacher certification renewal for a Five-Year Renewal License requires completing six semester hours of re-education credit during the five-year license period and being under contract for at least 30 days during that period. Renewal applications are submitted through ND Teach. Educators whose license expired more than five years ago generally apply for a Re-entry License through the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) instead.
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A North Dakota teaching license does not renew automatically. Educators should apply through ND Teach before expiration and submit the required documentation and fee. The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) sets the path forward: six semester hours of college coursework completed during the five-year license period and related to education or the subject area the educator is licensed to teach. Here’s how renewal, re-entry, and lifetime licensure work under current ESPB guidance, plus a change that took effect in 2025 that could take your license off the renewal cycle entirely. If you’re still working toward your first license rather than renewing one, start with North Dakota teaching certification requirements instead.
Teaching Certification Renewal
North Dakota issues an Initial In-State License to first-time applicants who meet state licensure requirements. Educators then move into the renewal-license structure based on North Dakota teaching experience and other ESPB requirements. ESPB describes the First Five-Year License as issued to individuals who have met North Dakota educator professional license requirements and successfully taught 18 months full-time equivalent in North Dakota. It’s a common long-term credential for North Dakota educators until they qualify for a lifetime license or another license type.
For a Five-Year Renewal License, ESPB says the educator must complete six semester hours of re-education during the five-year license period and be under contract for at least 30 days of the five-year period. Applicants start the renewal application in ND Teach. After submission, ND Teach lists required “To Do Items,” such as transcripts or other documentation, and applications can be filed up to six months before expiration. A completed renewal application, supporting documentation, and the fee should be submitted before the expiration date to avoid a late fee.
You can find current renewal application steps on ESPB’s licensure page, and the full renewal process is outlined directly on ESPB’s Renewing a License page. If you’re licensed in North Dakota and considering a move, the state’s teacher reciprocity agreements outline how other states recognize this credential.
Effective August 1, 2025, teachers who have held a North Dakota teaching license for 25 years may apply for a 25-Year Life License, replacing the previous 30-year threshold under House Bill 1238. Teachers currently on a five-year license must complete the six re-education credits required for that current license before moving to the lifetime license. ESPB says eligible educators may apply online in ND Teach once they reach 25 years of North Dakota licensure and meet the re-education requirements; they do not need to wait until the current license is up for renewal.
Educators holding a lifetime license must report to ESPB every five years that they intend to continue teaching and disclose any background-check issues that could prevent them from holding a valid license. ESPB says there is no cost for this reporting process.
Re-entry After a License Has Been Expired for More Than Five Years
If you previously held a North Dakota teaching license and it expired more than 5 years ago, ESPB describes the next credential as a 2-year Re-entry License rather than a standard renewal. A new background check is required, and ESPB says eight semester hours of re-education are required if the Re-entry License holder signs a contract during the license period. Re-entry applications should be submitted through ND Teach using the application type designated by ESPB for the educator’s license status.
Questions about license-specific requirements can be directed to ESPB’s current licensure contact options. ESPB lists 701-328-9641 and [email protected], with email responses typically taking five to seven working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to renew my North Dakota teaching license?
A Five-Year License renews every five years. You need six semester hours of coursework related to education or your licensed subject area completed sometime during that period, plus at least 30 days under contract with a North Dakota school. ESPB opens the renewal window through your ND Teach account six months before the license expires.
What happens if my North Dakota teaching license expires?
If the license has expired for less than five years, use ND Teach and ESPB’s current renewal instructions to determine the correct renewal or late-renewal steps. ESPB may assess a $100 late fee if a completed renewal application, documentation, and the fee are not filed before the expiration date. If it has been more than 5 years, ESPB considers the Re-entry License the applicable license type for educators returning to the profession.
Can I earn a lifetime teaching license in North Dakota?
Yes. Effective August 1, 2025, educators who have held a North Dakota teaching license for 25 years and have met the requirements of their current license can apply for a 25-Year Life License through ND Teach. House Bill 1238 lowered the lifetime-license threshold from 30 years to 25 years and added a five-year reporting requirement for lifetime-license holders.
Where do I submit my North Dakota renewal or re-entry application?
Renewal and re-entry applications are handled through ND Teach. Applicants should choose the application type that matches their current or expired license status.
Who do I contact with questions about renewing my North Dakota teaching license?
ESPB’s licensure staff can answer questions specific to your license type. ESPB’s site asks applicants to allow five to seven working days for an email response. You can reach them at 701-328-9641 or by emailing [email protected].
- Five-Year Renewal: The license renewal requires six semester hours of re-education during the five-year license period, plus at least 30 days under contract during that period.
- Re-entry is a separate process — educators whose North Dakota teaching license expired more than five years ago may apply for a Re-entry License; ESPB states that eight semester hours of re-education are required if the educator signs a contract during the license period.
- Lifetime licensure may be available after 25 years — once the educator meets the re-education requirements for the current license and applies through ND Teach.
- ESPB oversees licensure, and ND Teach is the online portal — for renewal, re-entry, and lifetime-license applications.
Find college coursework related to education or your licensed teaching area that may help satisfy North Dakota’s Five-Year Renewal License re-education requirement.
