Teacher Incentive Allotment

National Board Certification and TIA

National Board Certification is a voluntary advanced professional certification for PreK-12 educators that identifies teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment. Teachers are certified based on standards set by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). 

Beginning in January 2021, the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) allows eligible classroom teachers with a National Board certificate to earn a Recognized designation and generate allotment funds for their employing local educational agency (LEA). The Recognized designation generates anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 for the NBCT's district. The total allotment amount depends on the socioeconomic status of the campus.

To be eligible for designation, NBCTs must:

• have an updated NBCT directory listing reflecting their employment as a Texas teacher

• hold an active certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

• be employed as a teacher by a Texas school district or charter school

• be reported as a teacher (087 Role ID) in the TSDS Class Roster Winter Submission

To generate an annual allotment for their employing LEA, the designated NBCT must be employed and compensated for a creditable year of service in a 087 teaching role (defined as 50% or more of the day for 180 days or 100% of the day for 90 days).

The Cost of National Board Certification

The initial cost for each of the four components is $475, with the total cost for the initial attempt of all four components being $1,900. Retake attempts require an additional fee. For each assessment cycle that a teacher plans to take components, a $75 nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee is required, and must be paid before purchasing a component.

Reimbursement Through TIA

The Teacher Incentive Allotment will reimburse districts up to $1,900 for initial certification, up to $1,250 for renewal, and up to $495 for MOC. Fees are eligible if the certification or recertification was achieved following the passage of HB 3 in the summer 2019. 

Districts may apply for fee reimbursement through TIA on behalf of NBCTs who were certified or recertified in 2019 or later. Districts must provide documentation of fees paid directly to the National Board and/or reimbursed to the NBCT. The annual reimbursement requesting window runs from January 2 through March 31. (Fee Reimbursement Information)

National Board/TIA FAQ’s