National Board Certification is available in 25 certificate areas representing 16 different disciplines and four developmental levels and is applicable to most teachers in U.S. public schools. Recognizing the many demands on teachers’ time, the certification process is designed to be flexible, efficient, and affordable.
To become a Board-certified teacher, eligible candidates must demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practice in their individual certificate area by completing four components: three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.
Take time to review the National Board Homeroom, Candidate FAQs, Score Calculator, and Payment Plan, paying close attention to important dates, deadlines, and policies. When you’re ready to get certified, create an account in the National Board Candidate Management System (NBCMS) to register and purchase components. For each assessment cycle you plan to take components, a $75 nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee is required and must be paid before purchasing a component. Components must be selected and purchased separately prior to the registration deadline for each assessment cycle.
Resources for Getting Started
National Board Homeroom
Homeroom is a collection of resources designed to help educators navigate the Board certification process from start to submission.
Candidate FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the eligibility, the process of certification, certification test scores/retakes, cost, payment, and candidate support.
NB Score Calculator
Candidates are encouraged to use this score calculator to measure the impact of possible scores.
Cost and Payment Plan
We know that educators may have questions about paying for their certification. This page includes funding resources and payment plan options.