HICKORY, N.C. (WHKY) — New changes approved in North Carolina’s state budget are designed to make it easier for schools to recruit and retain teachers as districts continue to face staffing shortages.

The new law includes several changes to teacher licensure aimed at attracting more educators into North Carolina classrooms.

Among the biggest changes, college students entering teacher preparation programs will no longer have to meet Praxis Core testing requirements or minimum SAT and ACT scores for admission. State education leaders say the changes are intended to remove barriers to entering the teaching profession.

The budget also gives beginning teachers more flexibility in earning a continuing professional license by eliminating a requirement that licensing exams be completed during their first year of teaching. Teachers with limited licenses will have another pathway to earn a continuing license if their students demonstrate strong academic growth.

Experienced teachers moving to North Carolina from other states—or even other countries—will also have an easier path to obtaining a continuing professional license. Lawmakers removed previous reciprocity language that often required experienced educators to complete additional licensing exams after relocating.

The legislation also directs the State Board of Education to expand elementary teaching licenses to include seventh and eighth grades. State education officials say they’re still reviewing how that change could affect middle school staffing and licensure requirements.

State officials hope the new policies will help address teacher shortages as districts prepare for the upcoming school year.