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NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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Resources - NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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The Candidate Center is your hub for information related to the certification process. Here you can find instructions and policy documents and other information that is specific to first time, returning and renewal candidates. Please read the information carefully as you view the documents that are relevant to you.

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Standards and Instructions for First-time and Returning Candidates

As you prepare to start your National Board Certification process here are important documents for you to download: the General Portfolio Instructions and your selected certificate-specific instructions. The General Portfolio Instructions will provide you with key requirements, policies, and guidelines. This is an important document that includes relevant information that is not included in the certificate-specific instructions. For certificate-specific instructions and standards for new and returning candidates, please carefully select your discipline and/or development age level below.

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources - NBPTS

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources The National Board made changes to provide flexibility for successfully completing your portfolio submissions, Renewal or Maintenance of Certification during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on our Pursuing National Board Certification during COVID-19 page. Create a National Board account to learn the latest National Board candidate news.

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Standards and Instructions for First-time and Returning Candidates

As you prepare to start your National Board Certification process here are important documents for you to download: the General Portfolio Instructions and your selected certificate-specific instructions. The General Portfolio Instructions will provide you with key requirements, policies, and guidelines. This is an important document that includes relevant information that is not included in the certificate-specific instructions. For certificate-specific instructions and standards for new and returning candidates, please carefully select your discipline and/or development age level below.

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources - NBPTS

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources The National Board made changes to provide flexibility for successfully completing your portfolio submissions, Renewal or Maintenance of Certification during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on our Pursuing National Board Certification during COVID-19 page. Create a National Board account to learn the latest National Board candidate news.

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25 Certification areas, each has different teacher standards

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Standards and Instructions for First-time and Returning Candidates

As you prepare to start your National Board Certification process here are important documents for you to download: the General Portfolio Instructions and your selected certificate-specific instructions. The General Portfolio Instructions will provide you with key requirements, policies, and guidelines. This is an important document that includes relevant information that is not included in the certificate-specific instructions. For certificate-specific instructions and standards for new and returning candidates, please carefully select your discipline and/or development age level below.

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources - NBPTS

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First-Time and Returning Candidate Resources The National Board made changes to provide flexibility for successfully completing your portfolio submissions, Renewal or Maintenance of Certification during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more on our Pursuing National Board Certification during COVID-19 page. Create a National Board account to learn the latest National Board candidate news.

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Toll-free phone number:

1-800-22TEACH

www.nbpts.org

www.nmnbctnetwork.com

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What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do

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What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do

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Assessment Center Policy and Guidelines

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NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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Candidate Frequently Asked Questions

About Eligibility

Q: Who is Eligible for Board Certification?
A: Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree, a valid state teaching license, and three years of classroom or school counselor experience prior to starting the certification process.(NOTE: Candidates for the Career and Technical Education certificate are required to hold a bachelor's degree only if their state required one for their current license). Candidates completing the World Languages certificate must also provide American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) certificates of Advanced Low or higher from ACTFL speaking and writing proficiency assessments. Teachers are asked to verify their eligibility during registration and may be asked to provide proof of meeting these requirements. For more information, see the Guide to National Board Certification and the Eligibility Verification Forms and Instructions.
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Q: I teach overseas. Am I eligible to apply?
A: Yes. Go to the Candidate Resources section and review the Guide to National Board Certification, download the Eligibility Verification Forms to see if you meet the education, employment and licensure requirements. Please note that the computer-based assessment (Component 1) is only administered in the United States, some U.S. Territories and Puerto Rico.
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About The Process

Q: In what areas is National Board Certification available?
A: National Board Certification is available in 25 areas structured around 16 different disciplines and six student developmental levels (early childhood, middle childhood, early and middle childhood, early adolescence, adolescence and young adulthood, early childhood through young adulthood). Candidates in six certificate areas also select a specific specialty area within their discipline.
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Q: How do I register and become an active candidate?
A: Take time to read all of the information presented in the Guide to National Board Certification, paying close attention to important dates, deadlines and policies. When ready, create an account in the National Board Candidate Management System (NBCMS) to register and purchase components. (Note: A $75 registration fee is required during each cycle year and must be paid before you will be permitted to purchase a component.)
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Q: How do I select and purchase components?
A: Log in to your National Board account and click "Purchase Component" from the left-hand navigation menu - you should only purchase the components you plan to complete during the current cycle. If you are expecting payment from a third party, you must complete the component purchase process through Step 3: Order Review and click the "Submit Order" button for the component(s) to be reflected on your account and to receive payment.
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Q: Can I take a year off?
A: Yes. Candidates can have a year during which they don't take or retake any components as long as they attempt each of the four components within the first three years of their candidacy and complete the entire process within the required five-year window. Note: Although you have a five year window to complete the certification process, you are expected to complete all components you purchase during the assessment cycle in which the component is purchased.
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About Scores and Retakes

Q: What scores do I need to achieve National Board Certification?
A: There are three score requirements to meet in order to achieve National Board Certification:

1. You must earn a minimum unweighted average score of 1.75 on Component 1 (i.e., the assessment center section). The minimum score requirement on this section is based on unweighted rubric scores, not weighted scores.

2. You must earn a minimum unweighted average score of 1.75 on Components 2 through 4 (i.e., the portfolio section). The minimum score requirement on this section is based on unweighted rubric scores, not weighted scores.

3. You must earn a total weighted score of at least 110.

The National Board's assessors use a rubric score scale based on four primary levels of performance (Levels 4, 3, 2, and 1), with plus (+) and minus (-) variations at each level. Level 4 and Level 3 performances represent accomplished teaching practice. Level 2 and Level 1 performances represent less-than-accomplished teaching practice. More information about rubric scores can be found in the component instructions (link).

The component scores will be weighted as follows:

The assessment center section (Component 1: Content Knowledge) makes up 40% of your total weighted score:

The weight of the three constructed response items is 50% of the assessment center section (each constructed response item is weighted 6.67% of the total weighted score).

The selected response part is 50% of the assessment center section (the section is weighted 20% of the total weighted score).

The portfolio section (Components 2, 3, and 4 combined) makes up 60% of your total weighted score:

Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction weight is 25% of the portfolio section total (15% of the total weighted score)

Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment weight is 50% of the portfolio section total (30% of the total weighted score)

Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner weight is 25% of the portfolio section total (15% of the total weighted score)

For more details, see the Scoring Guide: Understanding Your Scores.
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Q: Can I retake a component?
A: Yes. Candidates can retake each component up to two times. Retakes can happen at any time during the five-year window. The highest numeric score received on a each component will be used for the total score calculation. For information on retakes and preparing for the next assessment cycle, see the Scoring Guide: Understanding Your Scores and General Portfolio Instructions.
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For additional information on retaking components refer to the Scoring Guide: Understanding Your Scores and the General Portfolio Instructions.
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About Cost and Payment

Q: How much does it cost to become National Board Certified?
A: There is a $75 nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee that must be paid during each assessment cycle before you can select a component plus a $475 fee for the initial attempt of each of the four required components. Components can be purchased and paid for separately, at any time prior to the registration deadline for each assessment cycle. Purchase only the components you plan to complete during the assessment cycle for which you are registered.
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Q: I registered as a candidate in a previous cycle; do I have to pay the registration fee again to select a new component?
A: Yes. The $75 nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee is charged once per assessment cycle and is required for each cycle in which you purchase and complete a component.
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Q: How do I apply for a scholarship?
A: The National Board is periodically able to offer a limited number of scholarships to candidates pursuing National Board Certification. Scholarships are allocated under the guidelines set by the donors on a first come, first served basis. (You must select a component(s) in order to be considered.) If eligible for a scholarship (and funding is available), the National Board will automatically post an award to your account prior to the payment deadline.
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About Candidate Support

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Candidate FAQs - NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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Candidate Frequently Asked Questions About Eligibility Q: Who is Eligible for Board Certification? A: Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree, a valid state teaching license, and three years of classroom or school counselor experience prior to starting the certification process. (NOTE: Candidates for the Career and Technical Education certificate are required to hold a bachelor's ...

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NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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ePortfolio Submission - NBPTS | Shaping the profession that shapes America's future.

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ePortfolio The National Board has implemented an electronic portfolio submission system, ePortfolio, which simplifies and enhances the way candidates compile and submit materials for evaluation. During the portfolio submission window, National Board Certification and Renewal candidates will submit their materials online at http://www.nbpts.nesinc.com/Home.aspx. (Note: If you are accessing the ePortfolio system for the first time, ...

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Using the "What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do" booklet as a reference point to develop a deeper understanding of each of the five Core Propositions, rate yourself on each of the sub-domains. Remember: this is completely non-evaluative; this is about YOU and YOUR GROWTH!

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5 Core propositions Qualities and behaviors

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5 Core propositions Qualities and behaviors

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Proposition 4 Thinking Systematically About Practice and Learning from Experience

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Make a copy and share for feedback

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Critical Friends_ A Process Built on Reflection

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.