Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

CA NBPTS Certification Incentive Program

Information regarding the California National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification Incentive Program.

Awards grants to school districts for the purpose of providing incentives to teachers who have attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and agree to teach at a high-priority school for at least five years. Additionally, any teacher who initiates the process of pursuing a certification from NBPTS when teaching at a high-priority school is eligible to receive a candidate subsidy to cover the costs of seeking certification.

California Incentive Program Information

CA National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Certification Incentive Program Information
Overview of the NBCT Teacher Certification Incentive Program for teachers that have active (not expired) certification from the NBPTS by January 1, 2023, and are assigned to teach in an eligible high-priority school.

CA NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Program Information
Overview of the NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Program for teachers that initiate the certification process with NBPTS and are assigned to teach in an eligible high-priority school.

CA NBPTS Certification Incentive Program Webinar External link opens in new window or tab. (Video; 58:41)
Webinar held October 19, 2021 as an introduction to the California NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Program and the NBCT Certification Incentive Program.

Lists of California’s 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25 Eligible High Priority Schools. These lists are only used for the purpose of identifying schools with teachers eligible to receive the NBPTS Candidate Subsidy Award and the NBCT Incentive Award. If you don't see your school on the high-priority lists but you believe it qualifies, please email NBCT@cde.ca.gov.

If you would like to receive updates via e-mail notification, subscribe to the California National Board Incentive listserv by sending a "blank" message to: Join-california-national-board-listserv@mlist.cde.ca.gov

Resources

Guide to National Board Certification External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
Overview of the NBPTS program and guide to completing certification.

NBPTS Certification Areas External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
Overview of the categories for board certification.

NBPTS Certification Roadmap External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
Infographic of the certification roadmap at a glance.

Related Content

Statutes of 2021, Education Code 44395
Assembly Bill 130, Chapter 44, Section 42 External link opens in new window or tab.

CA National Board Certified Teacher Incentive Program Funding Information:

CA National Board Certification Subsidy Program Funding Information:

Questions:   Teacher and Leader Policy Office | NBCT@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-7331
Last Reviewed: Friday, June 14, 2024
Recently Posted in Professional Learning
  • Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup (added 19-Jun-2024)
    Purpose of the Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup, including relevant statute, meeting details, and related documents.
  • Learning With AI, Learning About AI (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Information regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in California K12 education.
  • Computer Science (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Information and resources related to computer science education for students in kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12).
  • NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12 (added 12-Jun-2024)
    In 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve.
  • Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Students (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Information on safe spaces for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ+) students, their educators and their families.

  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Letter (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Informational letter about Assembly Bill 1639: Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
  • Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Information about AB 1639: Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
  • Supporting LGBTQ+ Students (added 12-Jun-2024)
    Instructional guidance, law, and policies for local educational agencies to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ+) students and provide safe learning environments that protect the health and safety of LGBTQ+ students.
  • Alignment and Coherence: Sanger Unified (added 12-Jun-2024)
    See how Sanger Unified School District uses high quality alignment and coherence in its professional learning system.