International Candidates

1. I teach overseas or in a different country. Am I eligible to apply?
2. Is there another number to use to call NBPTS from another country?

1. I teach overseas or in a different country. Am I eligible to apply?

NBPTS has candidates from all over the globe participating in the process. The three basic eligibility requirements for a potential candidate seeking National Board Certification are:

• Possess 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). Note that applicants for ECYA/School Counseling must have completed three years succesfully serving as a school counselor in one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school(s) to meet the eligibility prerequisite.
• Hold a valid state teaching license (or meet the licensure requirements established by your state for a "school counselor: and hold that Employment under an intern or similar teaching license does not meet the licensure prerequisite.

 

There are several additional considerations for international candidates regarding National Board Certification:

• The assessment consists of two parts: the portfolio entries and the assessment center exercises. The assessment center exercises are only administered in the United States, some U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico. Therefore, you would have to travel in order to complete the certification process. If you use the Locate a Test Center link, you can determine which test center might be most convenient for you. Some candidates coming to the U.S. for testing include a test center location into a vacation itinerary. 
• If you are verifying employment at an institution outside the United States, you must (1) complete and submit a Candidate Workplace Verification Form for that employer and (2) provide documentation from one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The Eligibility Verification Forms and Instructions contained in the Eligibility Verification Packet, page 8, lists the two regional accrediting agencies that handle institutions outside the United States. 
• Your instruction must be delivered in English unless you are pursuing certification in World Languages Other than English or elect to exercise the Spanish Language Option (not available to candidates pursuing certification in English Language Arts or World Languages Other than English).
• A teacher or school counselor with a degree awarded by an institution outside the United States must submit proof that the degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate either by submitting transcripts to an organization that belongs to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or by submitting documentation to NBPTS confirming that the state in which you teach or serve as a school counselor has accepted the degree for licensure requirements.


2. Is there another number to use to call NBPTS from another country?

International candidates can reach NBPTS directly by calling the international access code for your location, the country code for the U.S., and 210-247-5179 between 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday. For example, from Germany, this would be 00-1-210-247-5179.