New to the System – Residency Certificates

On January 16, 2026, the State Board of Community Colleges approved the following six (6) new Curriculum Standards and eighteen (18) courses:

Birth through Kindergarten Residency Licensure Certificate (C55500)*

High School Math Residency Licensure Certificate (C55510)*

High School Science Residency Licensure Certificate (C55520)*

Middle School Math Residency Licensure Certificate (C55530)*

Middle School Science Residency Licensure Certificate (C55540)*

Special Education Residency Licensure Certificate (C55550)*

Effective Term: Fall 2026

 *A technical edit was made to the certificate codes following State Board approval to align with current program code requirements.

The six curriculum standards and the approved courses are attached for your convenience. You may view all curriculum standards by visiting the Academic Programs website at:

https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/academic-programs/curriculum-standards

Note concerning program approval procedures.

• Colleges with Current EPP Status: Community colleges must receive State Board of Community College (SBCC) approval to offer any Residency Licensure Certificate. Once approved, the NCCCS EPP State Director will inform the NC Department of Public Instruction of any new Residency areas added for each college.
• Colleges Without Current EPP Status: Community colleges must receive State Board of Community College (SBCC) approval to offer the Elementary Education Residency Licensure Certificate. Additionally, community colleges must also receive approval as an Educator Preparation Provider from the State Board of Education (SBE). Consultation with the NCCCS EPP State Director is necessary prior to seeking program approval.

If you have any questions concerning the January State Board action item listed above, please contact Dr. Mary Olvera at olveram@nccommunitycolleges.edu.

To view the memo in its entirety, see CC26-008_New to the System-Residency Certificates