California

California Candidate Financial Support

California is pleased to announce that funding is available to help offset the cost of the assessment fee. This funding is made possible through a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education. Please read the information below for specific details, deadlines and contact information.

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
To apply for a federally funded candidate fee subsidy, please contact Juliet Barbero at the California Department of Education for a Candidate Subsidy Program (CSP) application. Fee subsidies for 50 percent of the application fee are awarded to first-time candidates at the time the applications are received, upon availability of funds. Applicants for National Board Certification who use teaching experience in California public schools must be able to verify that they have held, at a minimum, a Preliminary Credential or Professional Clear Credential from the state for each of the years of teaching experience.  Employment under intern or emergency credentials does not meet the employment or licensure prerequisites established by NBPTS. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact customer service at 1-800-22TEACH.  Deadline to apply: November 30, 2008

Funding Available Retake Candidates
California does not provide funds for retake candidates.

Several organizations provide scholarship support to candidates pursuing National Board Certification. For more information, visit the Scholarship page.

• NBCTs who agree to teach students at least 50 percent of the time in a high-priority school (Academic Performance Index 5 or lower) for four consecutive years are eligible for the $20,000 incentive award, if they have not previously received this award. This one-time incentive award of $20,000 is paid in $5,000 installments for four consecutive years. School districts will verify that teachers have met the requirements before funding is released to districts to pay the teachers.
• California Education Code Section 44398 specifies that a teacher who is licensed to teach in another state and who receives National Board Certification by NBPTS shall be issued a professional clear teaching credential authorizing the teacher to teach in the subject area in which the teacher received National Board Certification.

Please click here for a list of school districts in this state that offer support and/or incentives for candidates and National Board Certified Teachers.  It is possible that your school district or local businesses offers support not included in the above link. Check with your school, your school district’s Web site or your state program administrator for more information.

If you are aware of local incentives supporting National Board Certification in your school district please Contact Us.  Include complete contact details so that we can reach you to verify the information.