NC Senate Advances Bill to Remove Teacher Training Entrance Exam Requirements
State lawmakers advance bill eliminating Praxis Core entrance exam for teacher training programs to address classroom staffing shortages.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday to eliminate entrance exam requirements for teacher training programs as the state deals with classroom staffing challenges.
Senate Bill 840 removes the requirement for prospective teachers to pass the Praxis Core basic skills examination before entering Educator Preparation Programs. The measure aims to address teacher shortages by expanding the pipeline of potential educators.
“This bill removes the testing requirement for admission into an educator preparation program,” said Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Moore), the primary sponsor. “The goal is simple: do not block a potential teacher before they start training.”
Addressing Teacher Shortages
The legislation comes as North Carolina faces persistent staffing challenges in schools. The state’s teacher attrition rate reached 10.11% in 2024-25, marking a slight increase from the previous year, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
McInnis characterized the Praxis Core test as a “front-end barrier” that discourages people from entering the teaching profession. “It only proves you’re a good test taker,” he added.
The senator argued that even teachers who struggle with standardized tests provide more value than long-term substitutes. “There is no excuse to have a permanent sub in any classroom in North Carolina whose only qualification is to have a heartbeat in their chest,” McInnis said.
Additional Licensing Changes
Beyond removing entrance exam requirements, Senate Bill 840 includes several other modifications to teacher licensing rules. The legislation eliminates the requirement for new teachers to attempt passing licensure exams within their first year of teaching.
The bill also streamlines the process for out-of-state teachers to obtain North Carolina licenses, potentially bringing more qualified educators into the state’s classrooms.
Lawmakers approved an amendment linking licensure to student performance outcomes. Under this provision, teachers holding limited licenses could earn continuing licenses without passing exams if their students demonstrate positive academic growth for two out of three years.
Education Leaders Support Change
Education officials have expressed support for eliminating the entrance exam requirement. Ann Bullock, chair of the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission, said research shows no connection between test performance and classroom effectiveness.
“I’m very positive about the elimination of the test because there’s no data” linking it to student outcomes, Bullock stated ahead of Tuesday’s committee meeting.
Education leaders also cited the financial burden the test places on prospective teachers as another factor supporting its removal. They argued the exam is costly for students while failing to predict actual teaching performance.
The legislation represents part of broader efforts by North Carolina policymakers to address teacher recruitment and retention challenges facing school districts across the state.
