National Board FAQs
What is National Board Certification?
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to identify, recognize and reward highly accomplished teachers and school counselors who meet the rigorous standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for what teachers should know and be able to do.
Who is eligible to apply for National Board Certification?
Applicants who wish to pursue National Board Certification must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- Have completed three years of successful teaching in one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school(s) on a valid provisional or standard teaching certificate (emergency or intern certificates are not valid). Note that applicants for ECYA/School Counseling must have completed three years successfully serving as a school counselor in one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school(s) to meet the employment eligibility prerequisite.
- Hold a valid state teaching license.
How do I apply for National Board Certification?
To become an official candidate for National Board Certification, you must apply directly with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards through the official website at www.nbpts.org.
What is the fee for becoming a National Board Certification candidate?
The assessment fee for candidacy is $2,500, which includes the $500 nonrefundable initial fee. There is also a nonrefundable $65 application processing charge, which is due at the time the application is submitted online.
What financial assistance is available?
Funding is also available for a limited number of scholarships through the Arizona Master Teacher Program and the Arizona K-12 Center. Availability of scholarships is dependant on funding and eligibility requirements may change from year to year. Preference is given to teachers who meet the following criteria:
- Teach in a Title I school
- Teach middle or high school mathematics, science, technology, or special ed
- Teach at a school that meets two of the following criteria:
- Poverty level of 50% or higher (free and reduced lunch)
- 20% of the faculty has two or less full years of teaching experience at your school
- 15% or higher teacher turnover over the last three years at your school
- Any middle or high school
- Underperforming or not meeting AYP for two consecutive years
Teachers who are interested in pursuing this scholarship opportunity must complete a National Board Pre-candidacy class prior to the scholarship being awarded. These classes are typically offered free of charge in school districts throughout the state as well as the Arizona K-12 Center. Upon completion of a Pre-candidacy class a teacher is eligible to apply for the scholarship. All scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Arizona Department of Education coordinates the NBPTS Federal Subsidy Program that offers fee support for up to half of the fees for candidates seeking certification through a competitive application process.
Who do I contact for an application for Federal Subsidy Funds?
Applications through the Arizona Department of Education can be requested by contacting Beth Driscoll at beth.driscoll@azed.gov or by visiting http://www.ade.az.gov/asd/NBCert/
Who do I contact for an application for fee assistance through the Arizona K-12 Center and the Master Teacher Program?
At the last pre-candidacy class, interested participants will complete a scholarship application. Additional applications are available by contacting the Arizona K-12 Center at info@azk12.org. Completion of a pre-candidacy class is required prior to requesting an application. Applications will not be accepted prior to the completion of a pre-candidacy class.
How will I be notified if I am awarded a scholarship from the Arizona K-12 Center?
Applications are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. Once your application has been received and confirmation of pre-candidacy class completion has been verified, an Arizona K-12 Center staff member will contact you via email. Once you have been notified that you will be receiving scholarship assistance, payment will be made directly to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Teachers who accept funding assistance through the Arizona K-12 Center must complete the process
In this case, the funding received through the Arizona K-12 Center is considered a third party payment, therefore it is very important that you choose the "release name" elective (Question #38 on the candidate application) in order for the Arizona K-12 Center to continue to view your status online.
Once you have been approved for scholarship assistance, you can check the status of your payment by visiting www.nbpts.org and checking your candidate profile.
If you are awaiting payment from the Federal Subsidy Funds issued through the Arizona Department of Education, please contact Beth Driscoll at beth.driscoll@azed.gov.
What support can I expect to receive as a candidate for National Board?
The Arizona K-12 Center, in partnership with the Arizona Education Association, and Arizona State University provides support to candidates through organized monthly events designed to foster meaningful communities of practice.
Facilitators are assigned to candidates for monthly small group support and are National Board Certified Teachers trained in Cognitive Coaching techniques. These small group meetings are held in regional areas around the state.
Large group meetings are presented by National Board Certified Teachers and are designed around topics of interest to current candidates. These meetings provide opportunities for candidates to meet with others pursuing their same certificate area while developing personal applications and gaining new understandings of the process.
The very popular National Board Candidate Retreat is designed for candidates who want to spend time with other candidates and trained coaches to guide them through their portfolio entries. Candidates work in small groups with a trained facilitator who will coach them through their work and different entries. The focused candidate can walk away with both DVDs burned and ready to submit to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
How do I register for the small and large group meetings as well as the retreat?
Registration for the large group meetings and the retreat are made at the Arizona K-12 Center website at www.azk12.org. There is no registration for small group meetings. Schedules of all meetings are distributed at the beginning of the school year. It is important that candidates stay in close communication with their small group facilitator, letting him/her know when you will not be able to participate.
Do I need to set up an account on the Arizona K-12 Center’s website?
First time users of the Arizona K-12 Center registration system, must first set up an account prior to registering for an event. There is no charge to establish an account. It is important that you keep this information accurate and current.
Every person must have his or her own individual account. You cannot register for others.
How is information disseminated and contact made with candidates?
All information is disseminated via email and the Arizona K-12 Center website. All contacts are made via email. It is imperative that we have your current email address and that you check it with great frequency both during the school and summer months. The Arizona K-12 Center is happy to send emails to multiple addresses if this meets your needs.
What will be expected of me if I receive fee assistance through the Master Teacher Program?
Candidates who are eligible for and receive funding agree to:
- Complete all components of both the portfolio and assessment center activities in the first year.
- Teach for one full year in qualifying school and/or program immediately following the NBPTS assessment process.
- Attend first and last large group meeting as well as small group meetings (may miss up to two small group meetings).
What if I withdraw from the process after being funded through the Master Teacher Program?
Candidates who receive funding for the NBPTS process but do not fulfill the candidate obligations listed above are obligated to repay the assessment fee to the Arizona K-12 Center. If candidate withdraws in writing with the National Board prior to the portfolio deadline, the teacher owes the Arizona K-12 Center $500. If a candidate fails to withdraw with the National Board after the portfolio deadline and after scheduling an assessment center appointment, the teacher owes the Arizona K-12 Center $2500. If a candidate fails to complete all components of the portfolio and the on-site assessment in the first year, the teacher will owe $2500. Finally, failure to complete a year of teaching in the qualifying school and/or program following the assessment cycle, will result in a candidate owing $2500 to the Arizona K-12 Center.
What steps must I take to withdraw?
Any candidate who chooses to withdraw from the assessment process is responsible for notifying the NBPTS in writing by completing and submitting the online Withdrawal Form available from your online account in My Profile. If funding has been received through the Arizona K-12 Center, verification of this formal withdrawal is required and must be sent to the Arizona K-12 Center prior to the portfolio deadline as outlined in the scholarship application. Payments due to the Arizona K-12 Center are due within 30 days of withdrawing from the process. Payments can be made over the phone via credit card or you can send a check to the Arizona K-12 Center at 99 East Virginia, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
For more information on withdrawal from the process, please visit http://www.nbpts.org/help_and_faqs/withdrawal-deferment.
