There are four Regional Alternative Licensing Centers (RALCs) in North Carolina, created by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction. The centers were designed specifically to assist lateral entry teachers in NC to achieve a full professional educator’s license.
The RALCs evaluate teaching candidate’s applications, prescribe courses of study, and outline other requirements needed in order to receive full professional educators’ licenses. Upon completion of individuals’ plans of study, the RALC will make recommendation to the Licensure Section at DPI for clear licenses.
Candidates may take the necessary coursework at a variety of colleges and universities.
The centers provide a number of benefits for lateral entry teachers:
- more consistent evaluations
- plans of study targeting licensure requirements
- college/university choices to satisfy course requirements
- certain requirements can be met at local school systems