Students who are formally admitted to and complete a teacher education program approved by the state of North Dakota, receive a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of at least 2.50 and meet the legal requirements are eligible to apply for licensure to teach in North Dakota and may also apply for licensure in other states as well.

North Dakota Requirements

Students apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) for licensure using forms that are available in the Office of Advising and Admissions (Education Building, Room 105). Application procedures should be initiated at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate. Forms should be completed and delivered to Room 105 for processing along with any necessary payments with checks or money orders made payable to ESPB. North Dakota now allows for the use of credit cards in paying licensing fees. A formal transcript is also necessary for licensure. Please have a
formal copy of your transcript sent to:

Eric Tweton, Certification Officer
College of Education and Human Development
Box 7189
University of North Dakota

North Dakota now requires fingerprinting of all personnel working with students in the public school system. Students are responsible for having a law enforcement agency complete fingerprint cards (also available in Room 105) and then sending these cards directly ESPB.

Processing the licensure applications takes place at the end of the semester the student graduates. The processing can begin only after the student's final grades have been recorded and the bachelor's degree is recorded. Expect this process to take three to four weeks following graduation. The time it takes a state departments of education to process your request will vary widely from state to state. Expect this processing time to be between six and twelve weeks.

Minnesota Requirements

Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements are similar to North Dakota's in that you must have completed an approved teacher education program, received a bachelor's degree and meet all legal requirements to apply. Minnesota does require additional procedures as well.

1. Students must complete the PRAXIS test with a passing score.
2. North Dakota students wishing licensure must also meet Minnesota's Human Relations requirement. This requirement can be met by attending training at Mount Saint Benedict in Crookston. Contact Sister Lois at (218) 281-3441 for more details.

Applicants for Minnesota licensure are also required to provide a completed fingerprint card. All materials should be completed and then delivered to Room 105 for processing. The materials needed are as follows:

1. PRAXIS test scores
2. Proof of human relations training
3. Application for licensure
4. Fingerprint card

Processing the licensure application takes place at the end of the semester the student graduates. The processing can begin only after the student's final grades have been recorded and the bachelor's degree is recorded. Expect this process to take three to four weeks following graduation. The time it takes a state department of education to process your request will vary widely from state to state. Expect this processing time to be between six and twelve weeks.

Students interested in teacher licensure in states other than North Dakota or Minnesota should seek information in the Office of Advising and Admissions.