SB 840 North Carolina Senate · 2025-2026 Session

Teacher Licensure Modifications.

This bill modifies teacher licensure rules in North Carolina by removing a specific testing requirement for admission into educator preparation programs. It extends the deadline for completing licensure exams to the third year of a teacher's career, provided the individual takes the exam at least once during their first year. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for out-of-state applicants by allowing them to obtain a North Carolina license if they have three years of teaching experience and hold a valid license from another state with similar requirements. The act also allocates $50,000 in funding for implementation and takes effect on July 1, 2026, with other provisions becoming law immediately upon passage.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 27, 2026 Last action Apr 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to remove specific sponsors and referral information, likely due to procedural updates. The core legislative text was modified to rename a section regarding exam timelines and add new provisions preventing the conversion of certain temporary licenses to permanent ones unless specific exam requirements are met, while also creating a waiver for teachers with positive student growth data.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding teacher licensure was expanded by adding new restrictions on license conversions and a specific exemption for teachers demonstrating positive student growth.

TECHNICAL

Removed the list of primary sponsors (Senators McInnis, Lee, and Burgin) and the original referral committee.

REQUIREMENT

Renamed the examination timeline section and added new subsections that restrict converting temporary licenses to permanent ones unless exams are passed, unless the teacher has positive student growth data.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific eligibility waiver allowing teachers with positive growth scores over two of the last three years to bypass examination requirements for license conversion.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2026

Committee

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Com Substitute Adopted

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reptd Fav Com Substitute

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Committee

Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Committee

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Introduced

Filed

upper

2 primary · 13 co-sponsors