Rep. Lofton files bill in North Carolina House to amend teacher residency licenses

A new bill filed by State Rep. Brandon Lofton in the North Carolina House seeks to update residency license requirements for teachers working in nonpublic schools, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 855 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Residency Licenses for Nonpublic EC Teachers.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the criteria for granting residency licenses for teachers in nonpublic schools in North Carolina. It allows nonpublic schools, including those approved and monitored by the Department of Public Instruction that provide services for students with special education needs, to request a one-year residency license for teachers. These licenses are renewable twice and require the individual to hold at least a bachelor’s degree, have completed coursework or passed exams relevant to the licensure area, and be enrolled in a recognized educator preparation program. The bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law and applies to residency license applications submitted on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Brian Biggs proposed the most bills (43) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lofton graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2001 with a BA and again in 2004 from New York University School of Law with a JD.

Lofton, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 104th House district, replacing previous state representative Andy Dulin.