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​The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), was founded as a non-profit dedicated to improving teaching and student learning: 

  • Just as teachers differentiate instruction for their students, the National Board process differentiates for teachers. There are 25 certificates available across various disciplines, age ranges, and developmental levels.
  • 97% of teachers change their teaching after going through the National Board process.
  • ​More than a decade of research from across the country confirms that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) outperform their peers taught by non-NBCTs.

The National Board Resource Center (NBRC) is available to work with schools and districts to support efforts to build a community of National Board Certified Teachers. Email Director, Sheri Bettis at slbetti1@istu.edu or call the NBRC at (309)438-1835 for more information.​​

 Announcements

Interested in learning more about National Board Certification? Please review the NBRC training events​ for more information.

 Illinois National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT)
  • The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has announced 131​ new NBCTsPDF Document in Illinois.  The total number of NBCTs in Illinois is 7,204.  For additional National Board statistics and information about Illinois please visit the​ NBPTS website​.​​

 FY 2025 Illinois National Board First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy

 Illinois National Board Support

llinois is pleased to announce that the Illinois State Board of Education has renewed the contractual agreement for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Program for 2024-2025. The contractor is the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University (NBRC) directed by Sheri Bettis. The work is aligned to deliver services to support candidates in targeted schools. Educators seeking information on Illinois NBPTS candidacy support or NBCT Mentoring/Professional Development support should visit the following websites for updates:

 Illinois National Board Licensure Renewal Information
  • Professional Educator License (PEL) Renewal
    • Printer-friendly versionPDF Document
    • NBCTs who are completing renewal will have to maintain a log of the hours they are spending in activities that constitute PD, and should request from the approved provider (university, local school district, regional office, etc.) a completed Evidence of Completion form with the total hours aligned to the log.  These forms may be issued at the end of the NB renewal or at intervals prior to finish as PD hours are accrued.  Most educators can receive the Evidence of Completion form from the National Board Resource Center or the Chicago Teacher’s Union.
    • If an NBCT renews his/her NBPTS certification the hours completed, (at least 60), should be entered into ELIS as professional development hours, 1 contact hour = 1 professional development hour.   Each educator is responsible for entering their own professional development into ELIS.  There are no more uniquely qualifying options but if an IL educator achieves or renews NB by August 31, 2014 they can use the uniquely-qualifying activity to fulfill the entire requirement for this cycle. 
    • All new and renewed NBCTs will automatically receive an NBPTS Master Teacher Designation, NBCTs need not apply.  This designation does not change the 5-year validity period of the Professional Educator License.  If an NBCT chooses to not renew his/her NB certification, the designation will be removed from the Illinois credentials and 120 hours of professional development will be required every five years.
    • Illinois State Board of Education, Article 21-B, Section 21B-65 states the following:
      • Individuals holding certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall be issued a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on an existing Professional Educator License. The designation shall be issued automatically and added to an individual’s Professional Educator License, and individuals need not submit the application.
      • The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation must be issued only for the same validity period as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, and the designation must be moved from the professional Educator License when the educator no longer holds the certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
      • Beginning on July 1, 2013 individuals holding an Illinois National Board for Professional Teaching Standards endorsement issued pursuant to the requirement of Section 21-2 of this Code must have a current certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in order to maintain the Illinois National Board for Professional Teaching Standards endorsement.
      • Any individual who, on or after July 1, 2012, has been issued a Master Certificate pursuant to Section 21-2 of this Code or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on a Professional Educator License pursuant to this Section may work as a teacher only in an area for which he or she holds the required Illinois endorsement.
      • Any individual who, prior to June 30, 2012 has been issued an endorsement for a particular area on a Master Certificate may work as a teacher in that area even without having been issued the required Illinois endorsement.
  • FAQ​PDF Document 
  • Important Information regarding License RenewalPDF Document
  • Reinstatement, Renewal, Professional Development and Registration
  • License Registration
  • Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)​

 Resources for Illinois Candidates and NBCTs

NBPTS

Legislation

Transferring your Out-of-State National Board Certificate

  • If you are moving to Illinois and are a current NBCT, you may reach to Sheri Bettis at slbetti1@ilstu.edu​ or call the NBRC at (309) 438-1835 for assistance with transferring your National Board Certification to Illinois.​

 The Path to Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher

​​Thinking about your next steps in the professional career continuum?  Ready for a new challenge to elevate your teaching?  View more information on the path to becoming a National Board Certified TeacherPDF Document.​​​​

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