National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) improves teaching and student learning. National Board Certified Teachers are highly accomplished educators who meet high and rigorous standards.

Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. NBPTS offers 25 certificates that cover a variety of subject areas and student developmental levels.

In a congressionally-mandated study, National Board Certification was recently recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.

Since 1987 more than 82,000 teachers have achieved National Board Certification. These teachers prepare America’s diverse student population with the skills it needs to compete in the 21st century workplace.