House Bill 965 Summary

• Grants the State Board of Education authority to adopt rules establishing a fee schedule for teacher licensure services, replacing the fixed fee schedule previously set by statute.

• Increases maximum fees for licensure services: demographic/administrative changes from $30 to $45; duplicate licenses from $30 to $45; renewals/extensions from $55 to $80; initial new applications from $55 to $80; out-of-state licenses from $85 to $125; and all other applications from $85 to $125.

• Adds two new licensure service categories with maximum fees up to $80: in-state license review and verification of North Carolina license for another state.

• Requires the State Board to provide an online licensure management system with lower fees for electronic applications if processing costs are lower, and to offer name changes, address changes, and electronic copies at no charge.

• Mandates the State Board periodically review fees to ensure revenues do not exceed the actual costs of providing licensure services and reduce fees accordingly if excess revenue is found.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2013.