What is National Board Certification?

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers advanced certification in twenty-seven certificate areas based on student age range and subject matter taught. In response to specific prompts, teachers must create a portfolio of their teaching practice. The portfolio includes written analyses of student work and classroom videos as well as documentation of the teacher's involvement in a professional community and community outreach. The four-part portfolio is assembled over the course of several months of a school year. Candidates must also attend a one-day Assessment Center where they are asked to respond to six, 30-minute prompts on content knowledge for their certificate area. California currently has 3,376 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs). There are 23 NBCTs in California with a Music Certificate. Many of them report that this is the most rewarding professional development experience of their careers.

There are 2 Music Certificate areas -----

--Early thru Middle childhood (ages 3-12)

-- Early Adolescences thru Young Adulthood

(ages 11-18+)

How Long Will It Take?

The process is designed to be completed during one school year, but candidates are allowed to “bank” passing scores and resubmit portions of the portfolio and retake assessment center exercises for two additional years. This means that candidates have a total of three years to successfully complete the process.

More Information

The National Board For Professional Teaching Standards maintains a web site with detailed information including a useful guide about the process, as well as online candidate resources and application information. Please visit www.nbpts.org

Or call

1-800-22TEACH

The California Department of Education maintains a web site with specific information for California teachers seeking national certification. This includes information about a fee subsidy, the incentive award, candidate support, district support and university-based support, including the potential linking of a master's degree with the process of national certification. Please visit www.cde.ca.gov/10373

The California Department of Education also has a National Board Certified Teacher on staff as a resource for candidates in California .

Kay Garcia
(916) 323-5832
kgarcia@cde.ca.gov