Sen. McInnis files bill in North Carolina Senate to eliminate teacher testing requirement

A new bill filed by State Sen. Tom McInnis seeks to eliminate standardized testing requirements for teacher licensing and restrict the State Board of Education from adopting such mandates, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 204 on Feb. 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Remove Testing Requirement for Teacher Lisc.’

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

In essence, this bill eliminates the standardized testing requirement for obtaining a teacher license in North Carolina and prohibits the State Board of Education from adopting any rules or policies that would mandate such examinations for licensure. It repeals specific general statutes, including G.S. 115C-269.15(a), G.S. 115C-269.25(g), and G.S. 115C-270.15, which previously mandated standardized tests. Additionally, it revises the criteria for a three-year renewable limited license, allowing it to be issued without the need for standardized test scores. The bill emphasizes that a limited license can only be used for continued employment within the local school administrative unit that requests it, and it requires both the principal and superintendent to confirm the teacher’s effectiveness. The act takes effect upon becoming law and applies to teacher license applications submitted on or after that date.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Timothy D. Moffitt proposed the most bills (26) 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.

Mclnnis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Ben Clark.