About Certification

Elevating Teaching, Empowering Teachers

National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students, and schools. It was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. 

National Board certification effects vary by subject, grade level, and certification type, with greater effects for middle school math certificates. Helding and Fraser (2013) find that students taught by NBCTs perceive a better learning environment and report having better attitudes than those taught by non-NBCTs. This result may be due to NBCTs’ tending to incorporate more developmentally appropriate practices into their teaching than do non-NBCTs (McKenzie, 2013 ). 

Some criteria for recognition as a National Board Certified Teacher:

• National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all students. They believe all students can learn.

• They treat students equitably. They recognize the individual differences that distinguish their students from one another and they take account of these differences in their practice.

• They respect the cultural and family differences students bring to their classroom.

• NBCTs know how to assess the progress of individual students as well as the class as a whole. (National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 2010)