Candidate Fee Subsidies
Financial assistance is available for teachers throughout California to help offset the $2,500 fee (plus a $65 application fee) to pursue National Board Certification. Once a teacher has paid the initial $500 fee, his or her name is automatically added to the National Board list to receive a $1,250 federal fee subsidy. The remaining $750 must be paid by January 31st of the year following your application. Visit the NBPTS Scholarships Web page (Outside Source) for more information about available scholarships, including those that are reserved for teachers in California.
The California Department of Education (CDE) does not require a separate application. CDE uses the NBPTS data. It is important that applicants maintain the MyProfile feature of the NBPTS Web site.Fee subsidy payments are made to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) on a monthly basis, and candidates may verify payment by logging into My Profile (Outside Source). Fee subsidies are only available to candidates who have made an initial payment of candidate fees to the NBPTS and who have not previously received federal Candidate Subsidy Program (CSP) funding.
Candidates who have made payment in full to the NBPTS may still apply for, and receive, a fee subsidy. The NBPTS will treat a fee subsidy for a candidate who is already paid in full as an overpayment and issue a refund based on the guidelines in the NBPTS Guide to National Board Certification. You must request the reimbursement; it is not automatic.
School District Information
The process to achieve National Board certification provides high quality professional development, and school districts are encouraged to make use of state and federal funding that may be used for professional development fort their teachers. For more information see the California Department Education (CDE) Possible School District Funding Sources Web page.
Additional Resources For Fee Support
In addition to the CSP, teachers are encouraged to seek other sources for fee support. For more information see the CDE Potential Sources for Candidate Support Web page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find out who the NBPTS Coordinator is in
my district?
If your district does not have a highly visible NBPTS program, contact the person in charge of professional development.
- If I received a scholarship from the National Board
Scholarship Program, can I also receive a fee subsidy through
the Candidate Subsidy Program?
Yes, the two fee assistance programs have separate eligibility criteria, and deadlines. The Candidate Subsidy Program is administered through the CDE.
- I checked My Profile and a California fee subsidy has not been posted? Why not?
If it has been less than six weeks since you submitted your National Board application, please be patient. If it has been longer than six weeks since your application, the NBPTS may have rejected your name for fee assistance for one of the following reasons:
- You have not made an initial $500 payment of candidate fees. In this case, you need to immediately make a fee payment to the NBPTS.
- Your
NBPTS application indicates that you do not want your information
released to third parties. This prevents the CDE from making
a fee payment on your behalf. In this case, you need to contact the NBPTS (Outside Source) to modify your application.
- You have previously received federal CSP funding and are therefore ineligible to receive additional funding.
If none of these situations is applicable to you, please contact Juliet Barbero at jbarbero@cde.ca.gov.
- You have not made an initial $500 payment of candidate fees. In this case, you need to immediately make a fee payment to the NBPTS.
- If I choose to withdraw from the assessment process, what do I need to do?
If you choose to withdraw from the assessment process, you must notify the NBPTS, in writing, prior to your portfolio due date and your assessment center appointment. Detailed information on the withdrawing process can be found in your "NBPTS Guide to National Board Certification."
