Renew

Graduate Credits for Teachers That Count in North Dakota

North Dakota renewal accepts semester hours on college transcripts, not CEU certificates alone. See subject rules, undergrad vs grad credit, and how to verify sellers.

Key details for Graduate Credits for Teachers That Count in North Dakota
Credit unit Semester hours (not clock-hour CEU labels alone)
Timing Earned within current license effective dates
Subjects Professional education or licensed major, minor, or endorsement

Sources checked November 2026

Official university transcript envelope on a teacher desk
Sections5

North Dakota five-year renewal is measured in semester hours on transcripts, not marketing labels on course pages. NDAC ch. 67.1-02-02 is the binding text; ESPB's renewing a license page repeats the six-hour expectation in plain language.

North Dakota rule in plain English

NDAC 67.1-02-02-05(2) requires six semester hours of re-education credit earned within the dates of the license you are renewing during each five-year license cycle.

67.1-02-02-05(2)(a) limits subjects to undergraduate or graduate credit in professional education or a field applicable to your licensed major, minor, or endorsement.

67.1-02-02-04(2)(a)(2) says documentation must be college or state-approved alternative program transcripts. A completion certificate from a private website, by itself, does not satisfy that sentence.

ESPB adds qualitative guidance: courses should relate to education and/or what you are licensed to teach on its renewing a license page.

Undergraduate vs graduate

Both undergraduate and graduate levels count when they meet 67.1-02-02-05(2)(a). Graduate credit is common because national PD vendors partner with graduate schools, but ESPB does not require graduate-level numbering if an undergraduate professional education course fits your endorsement.

Dual-level rules for initial candidates, such as youth mental health training in N.D.C.C. 15.1-13-35, target new licenses rather than each five-year renewal. Do not assume every statute about candidates also applies to veteran renewals unless NDAC or ESPB says so.

Transcript and NDTeach submission

Order transcripts early. ESPB's transcripts page states an unofficial transcript will work for most renewals and that an official transcript is needed when adding a degree.

Upload PDFs in NDTeach during Renew License. Match the student name and institution to your licensure record. If you changed legal names, include documentation ESPB requests.

When a vendor offers "graduate credit," read the transcripting university page, not only the storefront checkout. Confirm the post will read in semester hours and that completion will fall before your expiration date.

In-state universities

North Dakota public universities issue their own transcripts through the North Dakota University System. ESPB lists Campus Connection and Parchment paths on its transcripts page.

Professional development offices at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University continuing education sites list educator courses at variable prices. Those enrollments typically post directly on the university transcript without a third-party broker.

Valley City State, Minot State, Mayville State, Dickinson State, University of Mary, and University of Jamestown follow the same pattern: credit originates at the institution that holds your student record. ESPB does not publish a preferred roster among in-state schools.

Out-of-state sellers to verify

National brokers can still satisfy North Dakota rules when their partner university posts semester hours on a college or state-approved alternative program transcript under 67.1-02-02-04(2)(a)(2). Before you purchase, confirm:

  1. Transcript partner name on the seller's own partner or FAQ page.
  2. Price per semester hour after any separate university registration fee.
  3. Delivery date on the transcript relative to your license expiration.

The following sellers market North Dakota-facing pages or multi-state renewal credit in November 2026. Prices change; verify at checkout.

Seller Transcript pattern (per seller site) Price signal checked November 2026
Happy Teacher PD Regionally accredited college transcript Self-paced courses; confirm current course price at checkout
Credits for Teachers Multiple university partners listed Courses start at $199 for 3 graduate credits on homepage; Adams State registration $55/credit and UMass Global $70/credit listed as separate university fees
Teaching Channel University transcript on partner model Example listing 3 credits for $489 (~$163/credit) on featured courses
PDI / webteaching.com University of California San Diego credit on the $399 option $399 with UC San Diego credit (graduate-level continuing education); $459 with ACE credit (degree-eligible)
For Teachers By Teachers UMass Global and CSU Pueblo transcripts cited $399 three-course bundle and per-course prices on storefront
VESi Partner college per enrollment Partner-dependent; site lists 100+ partner colleges

Confirm with ESPB before you purchase that your specific course plan satisfies 67.1-02-02-05.

For side-by-side bargain hunting, see inexpensive graduate credits. For NDTeach clicks, see how to renew.

Sources checked November 2026

Quick answers

Will my district in-service hours count?

District workshops count only if they produce transcripted semester hours on a college or state-approved alternative program transcript named in NDAC 67.1-02-02-04(2)(a)(2).

Does National Board certification replace six semester hours?

NDAC ch. 67.1-02-05 allows national certification in some re-education contexts. Confirm with ESPB before you skip graduate enrollment.

Can I mix two universities on one renewal?

Yes, if the combined transcripted hours total six within the license period and subjects align with 67.1-02-02-05(2)(a).