This Certification Manual explains the many policies and procedures that guide the process of certification in North Carolina. The certification process requires educators in North Carolina to meet established standards of professional competence. The publication is organized into 14 sections: (1) an Introduction; (2) General Information; (3) The Certificate; (4) Obtaining Certification; (5) Testing Requirements; (6) Initial Certification Program; (7) Certificate Renewal; (8) Subject Area Certification; (9) Vocational Education; (10) Special Service Personnel; (11) Out-of-Field Assignments (provisional certification); (12) Salary Determination; (13) IHE Methods Faculty (college and university faculty members who teach undergraduate or graduate methods courses or supervise field experiences for prospective classroom teachers in approved teacher education programs); and (14) Certificate Suspension and Revocation. Five appendices that make up half the document present: laws relating to certification; North Carolina's Administrative Code; North Carolina colleges and universities that offer approved education programs (public, private, and consortium-based); certification forms; and a glossary. (LL)