CMS Teaching Residency Program

To qualify for the CMS Teaching Residency program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Hold a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7 from undergraduate, graduate, or combined coursework. If your GPA falls below 2.7, you may qualify through GPA forgiveness. This involves completing two approved courses (either online or in-person) with a GPA of 2.7 or higher in each. Both courses must be successfully completed before participating in pre-service training or teaching under a residency license.
• Work Eligibility: Fulfill all legal requirements to work in the United States.
• Licensure Requirements: Have at least 24 hours of relevant coursework as determined by the licensure department or pass all state-required licensure exams for your subject area. Our testing guide provides detailed information, including required tests, passing scores, and registration links.
• Licensure Status: Applicants must not currently hold a continuing educator’s license or certificate in any state.

These requirements ensure readiness for the program and enable participants to succeed as residents in the classroom.

The CMS Teaching Residency Program offers an affordable pathway to becoming a teacher, with clear and transparent costs outlined below:

• Tuition: $2,000 for the entire program.

Enrollment Fee:

• $250 for CMS internal applicants (current employees).
• $500 for external applicants.

This non-refundable enrollment fee is applied to your tuition balance, which is due during your clinical residency. Current CMS employees must pay the $250 enrollment fee to secure their spot for the following school year.

State Certification Testing Fees: Certification exams required by the state start at approximately $140 per test, but fees may vary depending on the specific exam. Not sure which tests you’ll need to take? Download our testing guide at the bottom of this page for more details.

edTPA Portfolio Fees: The edTPA application, mandated by the state, comes with a $300 fee. If any portion of your portfolio requires resubmission, additional fees may apply. 

The CMS Teaching Residency program is designed to prepare aspiring educators for success in the classroom. The program lasts a minimum of 13 months and includes a comprehensive, unpaid 5-week pre-service training followed by a year-long clinical residency.

Here's how it works:

• Pre-Service Training: This essential first step combines virtual and in-person learning to give participants foundational teaching skills. There are two options for pre-service training:
  • February-March Cohort: Exclusively for current CMS employees seeking licensure in elementary education, ECGC, ECAC, and ML.
  • June-July Cohort: Open to all candidates pursuing licensure in any content area within the CMS Teaching Residency program.
• Year-Long Residency: After pre-service training, participants begin a year-long, full-time teaching residency. During this time, they receive hands-on classroom experience, instructional support, testing assistance, and complete required online coursework.
• Additional Support: If needed, participants can extend their training by two additional years to meet state testing requirements.

This program is ideal for anyone looking to transition into teaching and earn their teaching license while gaining real-world classroom experience. 

We are recruiting passionate educators for the following subject areas:

• Birth through Kindergarten
• Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
• Special Education (General and Adaptive Curriculum)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) / Multilingual Learners
• Middle and High School English/Language Arts
• Middle and High School Math
• Middle and High School Science
• Middle and High School History/Social Studies

Whether you’re looking to teach elementary students, specialize in STEM subjects, or support multilingual and exceptional learners, we have opportunities for you. During the CMSTR enrollment process, you’ll be able to select your preferred subject area.

When you complete all program requirements, you’ll be awarded a Residency License for your Residency Year. After successfully teaching full-time for one year under this license and meeting the necessary criteria, you can advance to the next level. Depending on your teaching experience, you’ll be eligible for an Initial Professional License (ideal for teachers with 0-2 years of experience) or a Continuing Professional License (for educators with 3+ years of experience). 

CMS Teaching Residency Financial Support

Candidates accepted into the CMS Teaching Residency program may qualify for financial support through the CMS Foundation. This support is not a traditional scholarship you apply for. Each year, the CMS Foundation secures funds from private donors and determines scholarship eligibility and amounts based on the available funds, program goals, and vision. 

Get $100 Reimbursed with TeachNC

Looking to save money on the application and enrollment process? Good news! TeachNC offers up to $100 reimbursement for the cost of applying and enrolling in the CMS Teaching Residency. The process is simple:

1. Create a FREE TeachNC account – Make sure to do this before applying to be eligible.
2. Complete the CMS Teaching Residency enrollment form – After applying to the Alternative License Pathway job posting, you’ll receive a "welcome email" confirming your enrollment.
3. Pay your enrollment fee – Secure your spot in the program by paying the enrollment fee. Keep a screenshot of your receipt and the "Congratulations" email from CMS Teaching Residency.
4. Submit your receipt to TeachNC – Visit the TeachNC website, upload your receipt, and get reimbursed up to $100!

Start your journey toward becoming a teacher and let CMS Teaching Residency and TeachNC help reduce your costs. This reimbursement opportunity is a great way to make your path to teaching more affordable. Don’t wait—create your TeachNC account today and take the next step toward your teaching career.

All residents must apply for open teaching jobs that match their skills and qualifications. This includes completing applications, attending interviews, and being selected by school principals.

Since the residency program focuses on high-demand subject areas within the district, residents who complete the pre-service training are highly competitive candidates for many teaching roles. To help you succeed, our team offers resources and support to guide you through the teacher hiring process.

Important reminder: You must be cleared as eligible before applying or interviewing for any teaching position. Teaching jobs for the upcoming school year are typically posted in the spring, so prioritize studying and completing your required certification tests as early as possible to stay ahead in your teaching career!