Florida

Florida Candidate Financial Support

Florida is pleased to announce that funding is available to help offset the cost of the assessment fee. This funding is made possible through a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education and the Dale Hickam Excellent Teacher Program. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available First-Time Candidates Federal Funding

SPECIAL NOTICE: Funding is not available for all Florida candidates, so if your candidacy is dependent on whether or not you receive funding through the Florida Department of Education (FL DOE), then please wait to pay your $500 nonrefundable initial fee until you receive email confirmation from FL DOE that you have been approved for funding.  This is very important because the $500 initial fee is nonrefundable. 

Deadline to Apply:  November 15, 2008

Funding Available Retake Candidates
The Florida Department of Education will utilize Candidate Subsidy Funds provided by the United States Department of Education and the Washington Mutual Foundation to support retake candidates that have never previously received federal funding.  The funds will subsidize one retake exercise per retake candidate on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended or until the Florida retake funding deadline date whichever comes first.  Funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed to all who apply. Eligible candidates should submit the NBPTS online retake application and payment for all retake exercises except one.  That one will be funded by federal funds. Following submission of the online retake application and payment, allow 2-3 weeks for processing, then go to My Profile  on the NBPTS Web site to view fee status.  Deadline to Apply:  WINDOW CLOSED

Several organizations provide scholarship support to candidates pursuing National Board Certification. For more information, visit the Scholarship page.

• Through the amended Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Program Act, legislation provides teachers, who achieve National Board Certification, up to a 10% annual bonus for 10 years, and an additional 10% to those who agree in writing to provide the equivalent of 12 work days of mentoring and related services to public school teachers within the state who do not hold NBPTS certification. Note: The mentoring bonus will not be funded by the state for the upcoming 08-09 fiscal cycle.
• Florida has also recognized National Board Certification as a means of meeting the requirements for license renewal, and teachers with a valid National Board certificate may demonstrate mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence.
• Florida will grant a license to currently valid National Board Certified Teachers who come from out-of-state.
• National Board Certified Teachers are considered highly qualified in the state of Florida.  Please refer to the following chart for a more detailed explanation of requirements: Florida Highly Qualified Chart.
• The state of Florida has signed the 2005-2010 NASDTEC Interstate Contract and will award their highest level certificate to any person who has obtained National Board Certification in an area corresponding to that for which certification is sought, provided the applicant also holds a comparable and valid certificate issued by any Member state and has complied with any requirements of the receiving state regarding experience, degrees held, citizenship, and moral, ethical, physical, and mental fitness, and completion of any post-baccalaureate study required by the receiving Member.

Review a list of school districts in this state that offer support and/or incentives for candidates and National Board Certified Teachers.  It is possible that your school district or local businesses offers support not included in the above link. Check with your school, your school district’s Web site or your state program administrator for more information.

If you are aware of local incentives supporting National Board Certification in your school district please Contact Us. Include complete contact details so that we can reach you to verify the information.