National Board Certification (NBC)
“Even though I am not eligible for TIA funds based on my campus or the subject I teach, I can receive them because of my National Board Certification. This is in addition to the yearly stipend I receive from Humble ISD for being a NBCT. The National Board Certification is a reflective process that allows teachers to grow in the profession. It has allowed me to improve my teaching practice and has had a direct impact on how I teach my students. The professional and financial benefits absolutely make the process worth the work it takes to certify.”
Sara Hansen, NBCT
CTE Health Science Teacher, Atascocita High School
Do National Board Certified Teachers qualify for the Teacher Incentive Allotment?
Yes! National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) employed as Texas public school teachers may be designated as Recognized, by TEA, notwithstanding statewide performance standards.
This means that Humble ISD teachers at ANY campus, teaching ANY grade level, under ANY teaching assignment with a National Board Teaching Certification are eligible to earn a TIA designation and generate an allotment!
NBCTs in Humble ISD: In addition to the annual TIA Recognized designation allotment generated by a NBCT, Humble ISD also pays a National Board Certification stipend up to $3,000 annually, per budget approval by the Board of Trustees, for qualifying teachers. See Humble ISD Salary Schedules/ Stipends/ Extraordinary Above & Beyond Assignments for listing.
More about National Board Certification: National Board Certification is a voluntary, advanced professional certification for educators that identifies teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment. National Board was designed to develop, retain, and recognized accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.
Teachers are certified based on standards set by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) in specific certificate areas.
Teachers may pursue National Board Certification independently or with the support of a cohort. Completing National Board Certification may take anywhere from one to five years, depending on the approach taken.
Candidates must attempt each of the four components within the first three years of your candidacy. Candidates who do not meet this requirement will have their candidacy terminated and will be required to start the entire certification process again as a first-time candidate.
You have a five-year window to achieve certification including component retakes. You have up to two retake attempts for each component.
Components must be completed during the assessment cycle in which they are purchased.
For additional details, reference the National Board Certification Overview Quick Start Guide. Or, download the current in-depth Guide to National Board Certification for reference.
Important Dates & Deadlines: 2024-2025 Registration Window (May 23, 2024 - February 28, 2025). As mentioned above, the National Board assessment is grouped into four components. With each of the four components costing $475, the total certification cost is $1,900 (which is reimbursable through Humble ISD*). Candidates can pay for and submit each component separately, effectively spreading the cost out over three years. Certifications remain active for five years after which the NBCT will need to complete the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) through National Board if they wish to remain an active NBCT. The MOC is $495 and also reimbursable through Humble ISD. For more information, visit the National Board certification webpage specific to paying for certification.
*As a District, Humble ISD does not submit certification fees directly to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards on behalf of candidates. Instead, once a candidate is officially certified, the Humble ISD National Board Certified Teacher provides the District contact with receipts and documentation for reimbursement.
National Board Certification in Texas: The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow National Board Certified Teachers in Texas. Beginning in April 2021, eligible National Board Certified teachers (NBCTs) could earn a Recognized designation on their Texas educator certificate.
Eligible NBCTs with a Recognized designation generate an annual allotment between $3-$9k for their district. The funding amount varies by campus based on the socioeconomic status of the students and the campus’ rural status. 90% or more of the allotment funds generated must be spent on teacher compensation on the campus where the designated teacher works. Visit the National Board Texas page to find out more about the benefits of being an NBCT in Texas!
Region 4 offers teachers pursuing their National Board Certification opportunities for learning, support, and resources through self-paced, online professional development. Free virtual information sessions are held regularly for interested parties to learn more about the program. Likewise, first-time candidates can register for Region 4's Pre-Candidacy Institute (course), offered every 3 months starting each August, to gain a thorough understanding of the National Board Certification process.
Visit Region 4's website for more information on National Board Certification, peruse upcoming sessions, or email NBCTR4@esc4.net.
The Texas National Board Coalition for Teaching (TXNBCT) is a statewide accomplished teaching learning community with the goals of: building awareness of the National Board Certification process, assisting candidates, and connecting/growing the Texas National Board of Certified Teaches (NBCTS) and Retired NBCTS Network. The 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation's impact on National Board candidates by providing support through cohorts, mentors, and professional learning facilitators across the state of Texas. Visit the TXNBCT website for more information or explore their most recent newsletters below.
NBCT Recognized Designations TEA oversees the TIA designation process for Texas NBCTs; no application is required from the NBCT or their employing district. NBCTs must meet the following criteria to earn a Recognized TIA designation in a given school year:
Hold an active certificate issued by the NBPTS.
Remain employed as a public school teacher reported with a 087 PEIMS Role ID in the Class Roster Winter Submission. Alignment with the National Board certificate area is not required.
Remain listed as a Texas teacher in the NBCT Directory as of January 31.
NBCTs moving to Texas from out of state must update their information to reflect Texas employment.
Does not have a Texas teaching certificate in revoked, suspended, or voluntary surrender status.
Is not listed on the Texas Do Not Hire registry.
TIA Recognized designations for newly certified NBCTs who meet the eligibility criteria are awarded the same school year in which they certify. TIA designations are valid through July 31 following the expiry of the National Board certificate. TEA updates the designation expiry date for NBCTs who recertify.
Allotments for Districts Employing NBCTs: Districts employing a designated NBCT may receive allotment funds if the NBCT works a creditable year of service in an 087 PEIMS teaching role. A local designation system is not required to receive funds for designated NBCTs. Districts receiving funds for designated NBCTs must comply with statutory spending requirements. If a NBCT works in a district with a local designation system, they must follow the spending plan for NBCTs outlined in their TEA-approved system application. See Humble ISD's TIA Spending Plan for specific details regarding NBCT designation payout.
National Board Certified Teachers are eligible to earn a higher designation if a district’s local designation system criteria is met.
For additional questions about National Board Certification, please reach out to Tiffany Hulquist, HR Incentive Compensation Project Coordinator for Humble ISD.