Board Teacher Certification

National Board Certification for teachers is rigorous.

National Board Certification for teachers is an advanced credential offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), for current U.S. teachers who complete the rigorous application process. As of 2010, more than 80,000 teachers have achieved National Board Certification status across the 25 subject areas available.

Significance

Teachers may wish to compare themselves to a national standard of excellence in their area of expertise, and NBPTS certification has become a nationally accepted credential of advanced skill in teaching. Educators who achieve National Board Certification status have proved themselves against a national standard in the areas of commitment to student learning, knowledge of subject matter, teaching ability, assessment of student learning, and participation in learning communities inside and outside the classroom. The NBPTS offers this recognition as a complement to a state-issued teaching license, not an alternative.

Eligibility

Candidates must meet several eligibility requirements for the National Board Teacher certification process. Each participant must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, hold a valid state teaching license and successfully complete three full years of teaching before applying.

Process

The extensive process for achieving National Board certification can take up to three years to complete. Candidates must assemble and submit a portfolio of lesson plans, student assessments, sample teaching videos, and completed Board assignments between January 1 and March 31 of the candidacy year. Next, they undergo a formal assessment, given at testing centers throughout the country. Each candidate responds to several exercises covering a specific subject area. After completion of the portfolio and assessment, a panel of at least 12 teachers reviews and scores the candidate's work. Candidates can check their scores online by December 31 and may resubmit failed portions over the next two years. Once they achieve passing scores, certification lasts 10 years; they can renew the certification by repeating the process.

Cost

As of 2010, National Board Certification candidates must pay a $65 nonrefundable application fee upon submission, and an assessment fee of $2,500, due by the end of January of the candidacy year. Candidates who find the fees prohibitive can apply for scholarships and fee assistance through the NBPTS website. In addition, many states offer reimbursement as an incentive for teachers, who should check with state education agencies and their local school district for current offers.

Benefits

Teachers holding National Board certification can find themselves rewarded financially by advancing through state salary tiers based upon education. The board also references studies showing that students taught by Board-certified teachers perform better on achievement tests than other students. And, because the teachers have confirmed their skills against national standards, many states waive out-of-state transfer procedures for them.

References

• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: What is National Board Certification?