North Dakota Teacher PD Requirements (2026)

90 hours every 5 years for teachers

Source

Source: https://www.nd.gov/espb/licensure/license-information/renewing-license
Last verified: May 25, 2026

Primary source: North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). Like Iowa and Nebraska, ND restricts renewal to formal college coursework — district PD and CEUs do not count directly. This makes ND renewal more expensive in dollars than states accepting contact hours. The 8-hour bump for in-license contract signing is an unusual rule.

Teachers

Annual hours: —
Cycle hours: 90
Cycle years: 5

North Dakota 5-year educator license renews via 6 semester hours of college coursework. Coursework must relate to education and/or what the teacher is licensed to teach. IMPORTANT: ND accepts ONLY college coursework — contact hours, CEUs, and district PD do not satisfy the renewal requirement directly. 8 semester hours required if the applicant signs a contract during the license period. 2-year license renewing once before requires 8 hours of professional development to renew or upgrade to 5-year. 6 semester hours × 15 contact hours = 90 contact hour equivalent.

Counselors

Annual hours: —
Cycle hours: 90
Cycle years: 5

School counselors hold an ESPB-issued license with credentialing requirements, same 6 semester hours / 5-year framework.

Administrators

Annual hours: —
Cycle hours: 90
Cycle years: 5

Administrators hold an ESPB-issued license, same 6 semester hours / 5-year framework.

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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.