§ 15.1-13-10 — Criteria for teacher licensure

1. The board shall establish by rule the criteria for teacher licensure and the process for
issuing teaching licenses. The criteria must include considerations of character,
adequate educational preparation, and general fitness to teach.
2. The board may not require a teacher who graduated from an accredited teacher
education program on or before September 1, 1980, to earn any college credits in
native American or other multicultural courses as a condition of licensure or license
renewal.
3. This section does not affect the validity of teaching certificates in effect on July 31,
2001.
4. This section does not affect the qualifications for career and technical education
certificates, as otherwise established by law.
5. The board shall grant an initial license to an individual who:
a. Possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
b. Passes a criminal history record check required by section 15.1-13-14; and
c. Successfully completes an alternative teacher certification program.
6. An in-state alternative teacher certification program must operate in accordance with
the procedures and program approval standards and requirements set by the board for
teacher education programs for the licensure of educators.
7. An out-of-state alternative teacher certification program must:
a. Operate in at least five states;
b. Have operated an alternative teacher certification program for at least ten years;
c. Require applicants to pass a subject area and pedagogy examination, known as
the professional teaching knowledge examination, to receive certification;
d. Allow an individual who obtains an initial or renewal license to teach in the subject
areas of:
(1) Elementary education;
(2) Elementary education with a reading endorsement;
(3) English language arts;

(4) United States and world history;
(5) Mathematics;
(6) General science;
(7) Biology;
(8) Chemistry;
(9) Physics; and
(10) Special education;
e. Operate in accordance with the procedures and program approval standards and
requirements set by the board for teacher education programs for the licensure of
educators; and
f. Meet the procedures and program approval standards and requirements under
subdivision e by July 1, 2023.
8. An individual who obtains an initial license under subsection 5 is authorized to teach
the subject and educational levels for which the individual has successfully completed
the program described under subsection 5.
9. Upon completing two years of teaching under an initial license issued under
subsection 5, the licensee is eligible to apply for a five-year renewal license if the
individual:
a. Completes the program's clinical experience program and the North Dakota
teacher support system approved mentor program;
b. Meets the requirements of section 15.1-13-35 within two years of initial licensure;
and
c. Meets the requirements of human resources and cultural directives required
coursework within two years of initial licensure which includes Native American
studies, cultural diversity, strategies for creating learning environments that
contribute to positive human relationships, and strategies for teaching and
assessing diverse learners.