Washington

Washington Candidate Financial Support

Washington 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 State Funding
The Washington Initiative for National Board Certification supports candidates with scholarships and connects them to university faculty and National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) to provide assistance through the assessment process. Applications for fee support for 2008-09 are available on the WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Website.  Scholarship recipients will work with a support provider throughout the process. Independent candidates who choose to pursue National Board Certification without a scholarship during the 2008-09 school year should contact the Subsidy Program Administrator who can provide information about facilitator support. Deadline to apply: DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Funding Available - First-Time Candidates Federal Funding
The Washington Initiative provides federal subsidy at 50 percent of the application fee. Candidates must meet NBPTS eligibility requirements. 

Funding Available Retake Candidates
Washington State does not provide funding for retake candidates.

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

• The Washington Legislature funds an annual salary bonus for teachers who achieve National Board Certification.  In May 2007, SSHB 2262 was signed into law, providing teachers who achieve National Board Certification with an annual bonus of $5,000 for the life of the certificate. The annual bonuses will increase each year to keep pace with inflation.  SSHB 2262 also provides an additional $5,000 bonus for those NBCTs that work in a school where more than 70 percent of the students receive free/reduced lunch.  
• The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) has approved a policy ensuring that National Board Certification will fulfill the renewal requirements for state certification for five years or until the expiration of the National Board Certificate, whichever is greater. In addition, an out-of-state NBCT coming in to Washington to teach will be granted a Washington State Professional Level Certificate. 
• WAC 181-85-033: A person holding a valid educational certificate pursuant to RCW 28A.410.010 shall receive the equivalent of forty-five continuing education credit hours (clock hours) for completion of an assessment process as part of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate application. Upon achieving National Board certification, the individual shall receive the equivalent of an additional forty-five continuing education credit hours for a total of ninety continuing education credit hours per National Board certificate.

Review 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.