Certification Program
NCCSA Educator Certification Program (NECP)
The NCCSA Educator Certification Program (NECP) has been developed by the North Carolina Christian School Association (NCCSA) to serve Christian schools by providing objective standards for evaluating academic preparation, professional credentials, and educational experience. The program establishes a uniform process for reviewing the qualifications of educators and school leaders serving in NCCSA member schools.
The NECP assists Christian schools in demonstrating that their faculty and administrative personnel possess appropriate educational training and professional preparation. It also provides parents with confidence that the academic credentials of those entrusted with the education and leadership of their children have been thoroughly reviewed through an established certification process.
The NECP does not evaluate the spiritual characteristics of applicants except to require that each applicant:
- Subscribes wholeheartedly to the NCCSA Statement of Faith.
- Is recommended by the employing school.
- Serves in an NCCSA member school.
Important Notice
NCCSA certification is not a state teaching license and must never be represented as such to parents, governmental agencies, or other organizations. Certification through the NECP simply provides a uniform procedure for appraising professional credentials for service in Christian schools.
Certification Categories
The following certification titles are available through the NECP:
- Early Childhood Teacher (Birth-K4)
- Elementary Teacher (K5-Grade 8)
- Middle School Teacher (Grades 6-9)
- Secondary Teacher (Grades 6-12)
- Special Education Teacher
- All-Level Teacher (Music Education, Art Education, Physical Education, etc.)
- Specialist (Bible, Counseling, Computer & Information Technology, and other approved specializations)
- School Leadership
- Head of School
- Administrator
- Assistant Administrator
- Elementary Principal
- Secondary Principal
Certificate Levels
Three levels of certification are available:
- Provisional Certificate
- Professional Certificate
- Advanced Professional Certificate
Certificate terms range from two to eight years, depending upon the certificate level and applicant qualifications.
Endorsements
Applicants holding a Professional or Advanced Professional certificate may qualify for one or more endorsements by earning at least 18 semester hours in a content-specific area.
Endorsements are available in a variety of disciplines, including:
- Bible
- Business
- Computer & Information Technology
- Counseling
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Leadership
- Elementary Education
- English/Language Arts
- Foreign Language
- History
- Mathematics
- Middle School Education
- Music Education
- Physical Education
- Science
- Secondary Education
- Social Studies
- Special Education
- Speech
- Other approved fields of study
Relationship to Accreditation
The NCCSA Educator Certification Program plays an important role in the NCCSA School Accreditation process. Accreditation standards require schools to demonstrate that faculty members and administrators possess appropriate training, credentials, and NCCSA certification. As a result, educator certification contributes to the overall academic quality and accountability of NCCSA member schools.
Application Information
The NCCSA Educator Certification Program is available only to educators and administrators serving in NCCSA member schools. Each school designates a certification coordinator who works directly with the NCCSA State Office regarding certification applications, renewals, and supporting documentation. Applications are typically processed within 30-45 days after all required materials have been received.
For additional information regarding certification requirements, renewals, endorsements, and applications, please contact the NCCSA State Office through the NCCSA Contact Form.
Note: Inquiries regarding educator certification are limited to faculty and staff members serving in NCCSA member schools.