Fact Sheet: National Board Certification

Background

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a private, nonprofit organization governed by a 63-member board of directors, the majority of whom are classroom teachers. The Board was created in 1987 to develop standards and assessment programs for teachers, now known as National Board Certification.

State Comparisons

Since the program began, 144 Wyoming  teachers have earned the distinction of being National Board Certified. Nearly 64,000 teachers across the nation have completed this rigorous process to date.

Requirements

Successful candidates must develop a portfolio that includes documentation of teaching practice and student work, a videotape of classroom interactions with students and a written detailed analysis of teaching reflected in the videotape and student work. Candidates have reported spending over 200 hours developing their portfolios. Candidates must also complete a full day of assessment exercises related to subject matter content. The assessment day typically consists of four 90-minute tests. Any licensed teacher with at least three years of experience is eligible to apply for National Board Certification.

Certification Areas

There are 24 areas developed for National Board Certification which cover a variety of subject ares and student developmental levels and are applicable to more than 95 percent of America's teachers.

• Visit the NBPTS Web site
• Meet Wyoming's National Board Certified teachers 
• State support for National Board Certification