Renewal

In February 2003 the board of directors made the decision that the renewal of National Board Certification requires a three-part submission. Development work commenced immediately. In June 2003 the board of directors took the following additional actions regarding the renewal process:

• The board authorized offering the Profile of Professional Growth for renewal of National Board Certification beginning in 2003, with the length of the renewal period being ten years from the respective date of certification of each National Board Certified Teacher.

• The board authorized the fee for Renewal be established by the President at a level that protects the fiscal health of the organization, recovers the costs of ongoing administration, is affordable for NBCTs, and does not exceed 50 percent of the then current candidate fee. The fee for the Profile of Professional Growth for renewal of National Board Certification has been set at $1,150.

• The board authorized that EA/Generalist NBCTs certified 11/30/94 and EA/English Language Arts NBCTs certified 8/31/95 be offered a reduced fee for renewal of National Board Certification in consideration for their participation in the initial development effort of the Profile of Professional Growth.

Yes, a demonstration of pre-K through 12 classroom teaching in the same content area, with students at the same developmental level, as the original certificate is required for renewal.

No, there is no assessment center component for renewal.

The Profile of Professional Growth is based on the NBCT's application of the current standards within the original area of certification. Many of the standards have been revised so that they reflect the most current teaching practices in each subject area, and NBCTs will need to read and review these standards as part of the renewal process.

The total fee for certificate renewal is $1,150, which includes a $300 nonrefundable application fee.

NBPTS conducted a pilot study of the National Board Profile of Professional Growth, an instrument to be used for the renewal of National Board Certification, from September 15 - November 15, 2003. The National Board Profile of Professional Growth provides a comprehensive view of professional growth since certification that focuses on increasing student learning and maintaining high and rigorous standards, which are the mainstay of the National Board Certification process. The pilot study was conducted to ensure that all aspects of the process are developed appropriately, that the prompts elicit appropriate information needed to make a proper evaluation, that the evaluation instrument is valid, and that the renewal assessment is understandable. Results of the pilot study were used to make revisions to the Profile of Professional Growth that was completed in February 2004.

Yes. Candidates for renewal who withdraw and request a refund in writing prior to the submission deadline for their Profile of Professional Growth will receive a refund of the fee paid, minus the initial $300 application fee which is nonrefundable.

NBCTs are and continue to be accomplished teachers. Their accomplishment reflects an inherent desire to be involved in professional growth to increase their impact on student learning. The professional growth activities in which an NBCT is involved are complex, and include development of certificate-specific content knowledge, pedagogical and technological skills, obtained through workshops, courses and readings of the latest professional literature; and they are ongoing, often beginning before certification and expanding like a web into a variety of professional growth areas. This ongoing process takes on new meaning from the moment of certification and continues whether the NBCT focuses on the pre-K through 12 classroom, on mentoring other teachers, or supporting candidates for National Board Certification.

The National Board Profile of Professional Growth is designed to promote continued professional involvement consistent with the high and rigorous standards that certification represents. It provides an avenue for NBCTs to articulate and examine what certification still means. It is a healthy reminder that certification is one step in becoming a better educator, and it provides a singular focus that increased student learning is still what an NBCT is all about.

National Board Certification is issued for a period of 10 years. A National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) must complete the National Board Profile of Professional Growth prior to the expiration date of his or her certificate and can only renew certification in his or her original certificate area. An NBCT may formally begin work on the Profile of Professional Growth as early as year 8 of his or her certification period.  NBCTs are given two opportunities to attempt renewal.

Although the National Board Profile of Professional Growth is separated into three components, its impact must be viewed as a single entity. It has been designed so that NBCTs show the connections they make between their continued professional growth and student learning. The following description of the Profile of Professional Growth is based on the current pilot version and is subject to change:

• Component #1 requires submission of responses to prompts related to 4 activities that, although they may have begun before certification, have evolved to become the focus of professional growth since certification. These professional growth experiences, including effective and appropriate use of technology and current knowledge of the field, are ongoing and multi-faceted. They must reflect the NBCT's continuous commitment and contributions to the professional activities that ultimately have an impact on student learning.
• Component #2 focuses on the application of one of the professional growth experiences featured in Component #1. The component requires a video in which the NBCT demonstrates preK-12 classroom teaching. The video and accompanying written commentary must demonstrate student learning in an environment that promotes equity and appreciation of diversity as well as the application of certificate-specific content knowledge.
• Component #3 focuses on the application of a second professional growth experience featured in Component #1. This component offers several options, including the choice of featuring work with preK-12 learners or with professional colleagues. The basis for this component must be a different professional growth experience from that used in Component #2. 

Throughout each of the three components, the NBCT's activities must demonstrate meaningful and rigorous learning experiences tied to certificate-specific content knowledge, and in responding to the prompts, the commentary must reflect the fact that the NBPTS Standards continue to be embedded in the NBCT's practice.  The final section is Reflection in which the NBCT analyzes the connections and patterns among all three components of the Profile of Professional Growth from the perspective of their role as an educator. The NBCT must focus on challenges encountered, as well as discuss plans for continued professional growth and efforts to impact student learning.

In order to be considered eligible to attempt renewal, NBCTs must:

• Be in their eighth or ninth year of certification
• Hold a valid state teaching license that has not been suspended or revoked
• Not have been convicted of a felony due to child abuse, job-related crimes, or violent crimes  against persons

For National Board Certified Teachers who certified after July 1996
NBCTs who certified after July 1996 should plan to apply for renewal during their 8th or 9th year of initial certification.

No. Candidates for renewal must be able to verify that they hold a valid state teaching license at the time they attempt renewal.

Yes. NBCTs who have retired from active teaching may attempt renewal if they still hold a valid state teaching license and are able to develop a relationship and work with students in the same content area, at the same developmental level, as their original certificate area.

No. If you do not successfully complete the renewal process prior to the expiration of your certificate, you will need to apply and go through the National Board Certification process as a first-time candidate if you want to be certified.

The fee for a second attempt to renew certification is the same as the initial application - $1,150, including a $300 nonrefundable application fee. The deadline for full fee payment is January 31, 2009.

Score banking is not applicable to the renewal process.