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Certification Renewal
Certification Renewal Decisions Mailed
A letter was sent to the 2008-2009 renewal candidates via first class mail on October 28, 2009, to communicate their renewal decision. NBCTs should allow seven business days for delivery. If they do not receive their letter by November 9, then they should call 1-800-22TEACH between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., CST, Monday through Friday, to speak with a member of our customer support team, or submit an inquiry using the online Candidate Inquiry Service.
Information regarding the renewal decision process can be found in Renewal at a Glance. Additionally, information regarding the Score Verification Service and Appeals process can be found in the Guide to National Board Certification. These procedures for renewal certification decisions are identical to those for initial certification.
Reflect on Your Practice
If you are in your eighth or ninth year as a National Board Certified teacher (NBCT), it is time to begin the NBCT renewal process. To do so, it is critical for NBCTs to update their personal information in My Profile. NBPTS cannot contact you about the renewal process if your information is not up-to-date. By renewing your certification, you can demonstrate that your professional practice remains consistent with the high and rigorous standards for your subject area. For an overview of the National Board renewal process, read Renewal at a Glance.
When you renew, you:
- Maintain your designation as a National Board Certified Teacher and the right to use “NBCT.”
- Use renewal to reflect on how your teaching practice continues to support student learning.
- Preserve your professional stature even after you retire, leave the classroom or change careers.
- Continue to have the opportunity as an NBCT to advocate for educational reform and champion policies that support teaching excellence.
- Sustain salary incentives (in some states and localities).
- Stay connected through NBPTS programs, products and services such as NBCTLink, the new password-protected online community exclusively for NBCTs; AdvocacyLink, the new online advocacy resource; and NBPTS NewsLink, the online newsletter.
Renewal Requirements
- Your original 10-year certificate must be valid when you apply for renewal. NBCTs whose certification has expired are not eligible for renewal.
- You must be in your eighth or ninth year of certification to begin the renewal process. NBCTs whose certification has expired are not eligible for renewal and have to undertake the certification process again.
- Your state teaching license must be current and unencumbered (e.g. not suspended or revoked). Teachers who are not required by the state to hold a license must submit proof that the school in which they teach is recognized and approved to operate by the state. Renewal candidates who are not actively teaching but plan to establish a relationship and work with students of a colleague in order to complete renewal must meet the teaching licensure requirements of the state.
- All candidates must meet all established deadlines and submit the full $1,150 assessment fee to be eligible for renewal.
Renewal Application
Attention Renewal Candidates! The renewal application is now available online. Please click here to apply.
Once you have submitted your application for Renewal, you can make payments by using our renewal online payment service. Only National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) seeking to renew certification are eligible to use this payment service.
If you wish to renew your certification, the renewal application window is open from September through December 31. The fee deadline is January 31. The submission postmark deadline is April 30. The decision date is October. For more information, review Renewal at a Glance.
Renewal Application Windows
National Board Certification is valid for a period of 10 years. If you wish to renew your certification you should complete the National Board Profile of Professional GrowthSM before your certificate expires. For more information read the Renewal Calendar (PDF - 51kb).
Deferral Information For NBCTs In Their Eighth Year
If you are a renewal candidate in your eighth year of certification and are fully paid, you may submit a written request on or before April 30, 2010 to defer submission of your Profile of Professional Growth (PPG) until April 30, 2011, the PPG submission deadline for the next assessment cycle. PLEASE NOTE: If you defer, you are no longer eligible to receive any refund.
Renewal Refunds and Withdrawal
Candidates for renewal who withdraw and request a refund in writing prior to the submission deadline for their Profile of Professional Growth will receive a refund of the fee paid, minus the initial $300 application fee which is nonrefundable.
You may submit a written request to withdraw by fax to 1-888-811-3514 or by mail to:
NBPTS Processing Center
11827 Tech Com, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78233
NBPTS Processing Center
11827 Tech Com, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78233
You may also submit your request to withdraw through the Candidate Inquiry Service specifying that you wish to withdraw. Be sure your candidate ID number is provided in all communications.