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, 2026, 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 
(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 2025–26 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 (PDF)
Overview of the NBPTS program and guide to completing certification.
NBPTS Certification Areas (PDF)
Overview of the categories for board certification.
NBPTS Certification Roadmap (PDF)
Infographic of the certification roadmap at a glance.
Related Content
Statutes of 2021, Education Code Section 44395
Assembly Bill 130, Chapter 44, Section 42
CA National Board Certified Teacher Incentive Program Funding Information:
CA National Board Certification Subsidy Program Funding Information: