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Designed to distinguish the best educators in the country, National Board Certification is the highest qualification a teacher can obtain.

Available across numerous subject areas, almost every teacher will find certification options that match their teaching topics. Furthermore, teachers from pre-K right up to seniors can apply for National Board Certification.

If you’re serious about your career and want to offer your students the best education, becoming a National Board Certified teacher is the way to do it. Although the process is tough, successful applicants will benefit from securing certification.

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What is National Board Certification?

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers National Board Certification as a qualification you can study for while teaching. You’ll receive national teacher certification if you complete the rigorous assessment processes.

Known as the most prestigious qualification for educators, being a National Board Certified teacher will enhance your teaching methods and further your career.

Who can become a National Board Certified Teacher?

Before you can apply for National Board Certification (NBC), you’ll need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. This means you will need to have the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Valid state teachers license
  • At least three years of experience as a teacher or school counselor

However, there are caveats to the eligibility criteria which may affect your suitability for the program. Suppose you want to enroll for the Career and Technical Education certificate, for example. In that case, you will only need a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the NBC if your state requires you to have one to hold a valid teaching license.

Conversely, the World Languages certificate applicants must have ACTFL certificates of mid, low, or higher in speaking and writing proficiency and meet the standard eligibility criteria.

Achieving National Board Certification isn’t cheap, either. Based on the current fee structure, candidates will pay around $1,900 to complete the certification process. However, this is a relatively small investment for NBC’s financial incentives. You can earn a higher salary as a National Board Certified teacher. In addition, many states and school boards offer financial incentives to educators who obtain NBC, such as salary increases and bonuses.

Support is available if you’re committed to obtaining National Board Certification but funding the program is holding you back. As well as a small number of scholarships, local funding sources sometimes offer grants and loans to teachers who want to pursue certification.

How to get National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification?

Before you begin the program, you’ll need to get through the application process. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards enforces its eligibility criteria strictly. You will need to carefully consider eligibility, particularly if your experience is based on part-time and non-counseling or teaching roles.

However, meeting the criteria isn’t necessarily enough to be accepted into the program. The application process requires careful organization and attention to detail, as does the certification. You’ll need to follow all the rules regarding formats, evidence submission, and deadlines to enroll successfully.

Once accepted, you’re on your way to becoming a National Board Certified teacher! After the initial celebrations, it’s time to get stuck in the hard work. We said achieving National Teacher Certification was tough, and we weren’t kidding.

Every candidate will need to complete four components:

  • Content Knowledge
  • Differentiation in Instruction
  • Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
  • Effective and Reflective Practitioner

However, there are 25 certification areas, so the exact requirements of your components may differ from other candidates.

To complete these four core components, you will undertake one computer-based assessment and submit three portfolios; two video entries of teaching, one in-depth evaluation of student work samples, and documented accomplishments.

After passing each component, you’ll officially be a National Board Certified teacher. It’s important to note that the first-time pass rate is around 40-50%. This highlights the rigor of the NBC process and the challenges you’ll face along the way. Despite this, successfully obtaining National Teacher Certification will ensure you can deliver exceptional education to your students.

What are the benefits of National Board Certification?

Now you know how to get National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification; you’ll want to understand why it’s so important. As a National Board Certified teacher, you’re among the country’s most eminent educators. Of course, successfully achieving certification should give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.

In addition, obtaining the National Teacher Certification will undoubtedly, further your career choices. Schools want to hire the best teachers, so they openly welcome National Board Certified teachers. No matter where you live in the country, you’ll find plenty of opportunities once you’ve completed your certification program.

The program offers many other advantages and the financial and career benefits of becoming a National Board Certified teacher. Completing the National Board Certification cements your exceptional abilities as a teacher, but candidates find that the process invariably enhances their teaching skills.

According to current National Board Certified teachers, the program’s rigors help them analyze, evaluate and improve their teaching styles. Preparing course materials allows you to examine your work from new perspectives. In doing so, you’ll find that there are areas you want to improve or enhance, as well as elements of teaching that you want to modify for future students.

For most people who have successfully achieved National Board Certification, the process gives them confidence as teachers. With unparalleled insight into their teaching methods and the opportunity to improve them even further, the certification process is second to none in refining your talents and honing your skills.

What do you need to complete the National Board Certification?

No matter what certification program you choose to enroll in, there are certain characteristics you’ll need to develop to successfully obtain National Teacher Certification. These include:

Determination

The requirements of the National Board Certification shouldn’t be underestimated. Although you will have the choice to complete the course over a longer period, you’ll need to be determined enough to stay the distance.

As most people are working full-time while completing the program and raising a family in some cases, you’ll find plenty of demands on your time. Despite this, completing each component of the certification process is rewarding and should motivate you to continue your studies.

Organization

You’ll need to be hyper-organized as a teacher to perform effectively at work. From teaching plans and parent-teacher meetings to extra-curricular activities and school events, teachers must pay attention to detail to get through the day.

When it comes to the National Board Certification, the need for organization is taken to a whole other level. You’ll notice that the application process itself requires careful reading and precision. This reflects the level of organization requires to present your work in an acceptable format.

As well as meeting the relevant deadlines throughout the course, you’ll need to ensure your work meets various formatting standards and content requirements. While worrying about the font size of your work or the number of pages used may seem trivial, this level of attention to detail is required to succeed as a National Board Certified teacher.

Commitment

When undertaking the National Board Certification, you’ll ask yourself why you signed up for it numerous times. There will be more than one occasion when you consider deregistering. The ongoing requirements of the NBC make it difficult to complete, but this is to be expected given the prestigious nature of certification.

While the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards allow applicants to take a break from their studies in certain circumstances, commitment is required to obtain certification. Whether you’re struggling to prepare a portfolio, dealing with unforeseen personal issues, or coping with increased pressure at work, you will feel the strain at some points during the program.

Of course, when you’ve successfully obtained certification and are looking back on the program, the satisfaction of achieving your goal and enhancing your teaching skills will ensure the additional stress is worthwhile. At the time, however, it can be difficult to summon the commitment to continue. For those that do, the satisfaction of becoming a National Board Certified teacher is the ultimate reward.

Enrolling in National Board Certification programs

Before you commit to obtaining National Teacher Certification, you’ll need to decide which program is right for you. Typically, you’re expected to undertake certification in the subjects which align most closely with your teaching areas. With numerous variations, however, you’re sure to find a National Board Certification program specializing in your core subjects and interests.