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The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the quality of teaching and student learning across the nation.

Just as teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of their students, the National Board certification process is tailored to the individual needs of teachers. With 25 certification areasPDF Document across various subjects, grade levels, and developmental stages, there’s a pathway for every educator.

Research consistently shows the impact of National Board Certification: 97% of teachers report making significant changes to their teaching practice as a result of the process. Furthermore, studies spanning over a decade demonstrate that students taught by National Board-Certified Teachers (NBCTs) consistently outperform their peers taught by non-NBCTs.​

The Path Toward National Board Certification

What is National Board Certification?

National Board Certification is a rigorous, voluntary process designed to recognize educators who meet the highest standards of teaching excellence. It typically takes between 1 to 3 years to complete, during which candidates submit four key components that showcase their accomplished practice in the classroom.

Created by educators and assessed by educators, National Board Certification is one of the most respected professional achievements in the field of education. It provides teachers, counselors, and school leaders with the chance to reflect on and enhance their teaching practices while deepening their understanding of pedagogy, student development, and educational equity.

The Process

The certification process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, which includes:

  • Videos of your teaching
  • Written reflections on your practice
  • Student work samples
  • Assessments that evaluate your knowledge and skills in teaching

Available in 25 certificate areasPDF Document, National Board Certification covers most teaching and school counselor roles. Each certificate area is based on a set of National Board Standards, developed by accomplished educators in that field. These standards outline what effective teaching looks like in practice and serve as the foundation for your

Illinois NB candidates have a three-year window to complete the National Board Certification process. For the 2026-2027 cycle, candidates will complete two components: Component 2 (Differentiation in Instruction) and Component 4 (Effective and Reflective Practitioner). First and second-year candidates must submit at least one component for scoring by the NBPTS submission deadline in  May of 2027, to remain eligible for funding.

Educators who hold a National Board Status:

If you hold a valid National Board Certificate, your overall PD owed is reduced by 60 PD hours. 

Example: You hold a PEL with a teaching endorsement, you only owe 60 PD hours instead of 120 PD hours to renew your PEL.

In order to receive your reduction for National Board Certification, you must add your valid certification information as a PD activity on your Professional Development page in ELIS.

Be sure the begin and end dates of the activity are chosen within your current cycle.  If you choose dates outside of your cycle, you will not receive credit.

Follow the steps below to successfully add your National Board Certification as an activity in your ELIS account: ​

  1. Login to ELIS
  2. On the menu panel, select Professional Development
  3. Click “click here to add professional development hours”
  4. Enter your certification information
  5. Enter 60 professional development hours.
  6. ​Select finish

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