SB 508 North Carolina Senate · 2025-2026 Session

LL to CPL/Apprenticeship Program.

SB 508 creates a pathway for North Carolina teachers with expiring limited licenses to convert to continuing professional licenses. It requires teachers to have a positive average growth score in the state's education growth data system (EVAAS) for two of their last three years. Teachers with negative growth but who still meet expected growth standards may also qualify if their local school board requests a limited license renewal. The bill applies to licenses expiring on or after the law's effective date and focuses on using measurable student growth data to support teacher career progression.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Last action Apr 9, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to shift focus from a simple license conversion based on student growth data to a comprehensive teacher apprenticeship program. The original version focused on converting limited licenses to continuing professional licenses for teachers with positive growth scores, while the new version establishes a formal apprenticeship program with grant funding and expanded eligibility criteria.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow license conversion mechanism to a broader teacher apprenticeship program that includes funding allocations, program administration, and new definitions for apprentices and employers.

ELIGIBILITY

License conversion requirements changed from requiring positive growth scores for two of three years to establishing a new apprenticeship pathway with different eligibility criteria including bachelor's degree and specific license types.

Removed the specific provision allowing limited license renewal for teachers with negative growth scores but maintaining 'meets expected growth' status.

FISCAL

New grant program established with funding allocation based on number of apprentices employed, up to a maximum of 10 apprentices per unit.

DEFINITION

New definitions created for 'Apprentice', 'Apprenticeship employer', 'Advanced Teaching Roles unit', and 'Program' to formalize the apprenticeship structure.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for Registered Apprenticeship Program under US Department of Labor standards and specific proposal submission requirements including subject areas with teacher shortages.

TIMELINE

Changed timeline for program administration with RFP issuance by November 1, proposal submission by January 1, and recipient selection by March 15 of each school year.

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 9, 2025

Committee

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Com Substitute Adopted

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reptd Fav Com Substitute

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Sequential Referral To Appropriations/Base Budget Added After Education/Higher Education

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

Re-ref to Education/Higher Education. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

Filed

upper

2 primary · 8 co-sponsors