How to Renew Your Teaching License in North Dakota (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your North Dakota teaching license works a little differently than most states. Instead of tracking clock hours of professional development, North Dakota requires college coursework — 6 semester hours over your 5-year renewal cycle. If you're used to another state's system, this can catch you off guard.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to renew your teaching license in North Dakota in 2026: the coursework requirement, how to submit, fees, the new 25-Year Lifetime License, and how to avoid costly mistakes.

The Basics: North Dakota Teaching License Renewal at a Glance

• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• Coursework required: 6 semester hours of college coursework (not clock hours)
• Teaching service required: 30 days of contracted teaching during the license period
• Governing body: Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB)
• Where to renew: ND Teach online portal — nd.gov/espb
• Renewal fee: $140 (includes a $5 maintenance charge)

You can apply for renewal up to 6 months before your license expiration date. Don't wait until the last minute — processing times can vary.

Understanding the 6 Semester Hour Requirement

This is the most important thing to understand about North Dakota renewal: the state requires 6 semester hours of college coursework, not a set number of PD clock hours. This means you need to take actual college courses — not just attend workshops or conferences.

Six semester hours over 5 years is roughly one course per year, or two 3-credit courses spread across your renewal period. Many teachers take one course every other year, which keeps the workload manageable.

What Counts as Approved Coursework?

North Dakota accepts the following types of coursework toward the 6 semester hour requirement:

• College or university semester-hour coursework (transcripted credits)
• Graduate-level courses from accredited institutions
• Undergraduate courses from accredited institutions that are related to education or your content area

The key requirement is that courses must be education-related or relevant to the subject area you teach. A graduate course in curriculum design, educational technology, or your specific content field would all qualify. A course in an unrelated field likely would not.

What Does NOT Count?

Unlike many other states, North Dakota does not count the following toward license renewal:

• Workshop or conference attendance (clock hours)
• District-sponsored PD sessions
• Online professional development courses that don't carry college credit
• Continuing education units (CEUs) that are not transcripted semester hours

This is a common tripping point for teachers moving to North Dakota from other states. Only transcripted college credit counts.

The Teaching Service Requirement

In addition to the 6 semester hours, North Dakota requires evidence of 30 days of contracted teaching service during your license period. This means you need to have actually been employed and teaching in a school for at least 30 days.

For most full-time teachers, this is not an issue. But if you've taken an extended leave, moved out of state, or stepped away from the classroom, make sure you can document at least 30 days of teaching service before applying for renewal.

The 5-Year Renewal Cycle Explained

North Dakota Five-Year Teaching Licenses are valid for exactly 5 years from the date of issuance. When your license is approaching expiration, you can apply for renewal up to 6 months in advance through the ND Teach online portal.

Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder at least 9 months before your expiration date. This gives you time to finish any remaining coursework, order transcripts, and submit your application with room to spare.

The New 25-Year Lifetime License

Effective August 1, 2025, North Dakota introduced a major new benefit: the 25-Year Lifetime License. If you have held a North Dakota teaching license for 25 or more years, you are now eligible for a lifetime license that never needs to be renewed.

This is a significant change that rewards long-tenured educators. If you're approaching the 25-year mark, check with ESPB to see if you qualify. The lifetime license eliminates the need for future coursework and renewal fees entirely.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The ND Teach Portal

North Dakota processes all licensure actions through the ND Teach online portal. Here's how the renewal process works:

1. Log in to ND Teach at nd.gov/espb.
2. Check your license expiration date. You can apply up to 6 months before it expires.
3. Order official transcripts. Have your college or university send official transcripts directly to ESPB showing at least 6 semester hours of approved coursework.
4. Prepare documentation of teaching service. You'll need evidence of at least 30 days of contracted teaching during your current license period.
5. Submit your renewal application through the ND Teach portal.
6. Pay the $140 renewal fee (this includes a $5 maintenance charge assessed on all applications).
7. Wait for processing. ESPB will review your application and transcripts, then issue your renewed license.

Two-Year Renewal License

If you don't fully meet the requirements for a Five-Year Teaching License — for example, if you're an out-of-state teacher newly arrived in North Dakota — you may be issued a Two-Year Renewal License instead.

• The Two-Year License is valid for 2 years and costs $65 to renew
• It's commonly used for out-of-state reciprocal license holders during their first years in North Dakota
• It can be renewed for an additional 3 years by submitting coursework transcripts and required test scores
• The goal is to transition to the standard Five-Year License as soon as possible

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your North Dakota teaching license expires before you renew, you'll face a $100 late fee on top of the standard renewal fee. That means you'd pay $240 instead of $140 — an expensive mistake for something that's entirely avoidable.

Teaching on an expired license is not permitted. Your district will be notified, and you could be removed from the classroom until your license is reinstated. Don't let it come to that.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Five-Year Teaching License renewal	$140
Two-Year Renewal License renewal	$65
Late fee (renewal after expiration)	$100 (added to renewal fee)
Maintenance charge (included in all applications)	$5

Your Renewal Checklist

1. Check your license expiration date on the ND Teach portal
2. Set a calendar reminder 9 months before expiration
3. Complete 6 semester hours of education-related college coursework (transcripted credits only)
4. Confirm you have at least 30 days of contracted teaching service during the license period
5. Order official transcripts and have them sent to ESPB
6. Log in to ND Teach and submit your renewal application
7. Pay the $140 renewal fee and save your confirmation
8. If you have 25+ years of ND licensure, ask ESPB about the Lifetime License

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

North Dakota's coursework requirement is unique. Unlike states that accept workshop hours, you need to plan ahead for actual college courses. Enrolling in at least one course every couple of years keeps you on track without creating a last-minute crunch.

For a full breakdown of North Dakota teacher license types, fees, and renewal requirements, visit the ChalkReady North Dakota page.