Professional Growth Systems → PGS for Teachers → National Board Certification

National Board Certification

Important Announcements

Resources for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and Salary Increases Salary increases related to NBC under the Blueprint Law are effective July 1, 2022. 

• Blueprint Eligible Job Codes in MCPS
• Video explanation of the 'why' of the Blueprint as it relates to the definition of eligible teachers.  
  • Slide Deck
  • Resource Board
• NBCT Salary Supplements Explanation and Definition of Eligible Teacher
• Resource for Current NBCTs to verify pay grade and salary

Highly accomplished teachers are essential to improving schools. This voluntary, teacher driven professional growth experience

• Raises the level of rigor while improving student achievement.
• Promotes intense synthesis, analysis and reflection of one’s own teaching and learning as related to specific teaching standards.
• Uses current student data and interactions to improve student learning.
• Promotes and develops more focused, purposeful teaching through a highly effective standards process.
• Creates opportunities for all teachers to teach more effectively.
• Engages parents and the community in deliberate and purposeful interactions.
• Facilitates data analysis of students needs and identifies focused areas for improvement.
• Reaffirms teaching strategies through 25 different certificate areas.
• Quality Candidate Support enhances the level of rigor and reflection of the National Board process and decreases attrition rate.

Resources for Initial Candidates

(Candidates beginning the NBC process in Fall of 2022 and submitting in Spring of 2023)

General Resources

• MCPS National Board Certification Process Information Sheet
• Spring 2022 Webinar recording and resources shared
• MCPS NBPTS Resource Toolkit

MSDE Fee Support Program for Initial Candidates

• Due December 30, 2022: All fee support candidates must open the Directions to Select Components Document and complete steps 1-4. It is the responsibility of each candidate to complete the steps by the deadline. MCPS is unable to see the completed steps and therefore, is unable to double check and send individualized reminders. Failure to complete the steps as shown will result in forfeiture of the fee support program.
• Withdrawal: Complete the MCPS Withdrawal Form which includes additional steps required by the MSDE and NBPTS. Deadline to withdraw without financial penalty is December 30, 2022. All initial candidates must complete at least one component. Initial candidates who do not complete at least one component must withdraw completely.

Resources for Continuing Candidates

MSDE Fee Support Program for Continuing Candidates

• Continuing candidates do not need to complete any additional paperwork to continue to receive fee support for the initial submission of C1, C2, C3, or C4.
• Retake: In order to receive fee support to fund retakes, you must complete a Retake Memorandum of Understanding during the scholarship window. Retake candidates will communicate which components they need to retake after score release. A PDO support course will be offered beginning in January to support candidates with retakes.
• Withdrawal: Complete the MCPS Withdrawal Form which includes additional steps required by the MSDE and NBPTS. 
• Score Release: NBPTS will release scores for the 2021-2022 cycle on December 9, 2022. 

Resources for Maintenance of certificate (MOC)

What is MOC?

National Board Certifications expire five years after they become valid (10 years for some teachers who certified in the past). In order to maintain an active NBC, teachers must submit one ePortfolio to NBPTS called MOC. MOC costs $495 plus a $75 registration fee. 

How do I know when it is time to start working on MOC?

NBCTs may submit MOC in the Spring of the year that their certificate expires or in the year before that. For example, if your NBC expires in December of 2024, you could submit MOC in May of 2024 or May of 2023. When you log in to your NBPTS account, you will see a message indicating when it is time to renew. In addition, you will receive one email from MCPS inviting you to engage in the MOC process. It is the responsibility of NBCTs to be aware of their expiration date and renew when the time arises.

Is there fee support available to cover the cost of MOC?

The $75 registration fee is the responsibility of the candidate and is not eligible for fee support or reimbursement. Fee support is available to cover the $495 cost of MOC through the Maryland State Department of Education, for all teachers who are deemed 'eligible' in accordance with the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Law. The spring window to apply for fee support opens each year with a window in the Spring and a short window in early Fall.

What support is available?

MOC Candidates are encouraged to register for the MOC support course which is offered on PDO. This 30 hour course (15 hours over 5 sessions and 15 hours of work outside of class) awards participants 2.0 CPD credits upon successful completion (full participation in all sessions and submission of all assignments).

Questions? 

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Customer Support
Phone: 1-800-22TEACH

NBPTS Webform

NBPTS Online Chat

MCPS Contact for NBC

Ms. Karen Shilling, NBC Support  

Karen_C_Shilling@mcpsmd.org

MCPS Contact for NBC

Ms. Amy Huque, Title IIA Instructional Specialist

Amy_E_Huque@mcpsmd.org

Facilitator and Course Questions 

Ms. Java Robinson, MCEA Liaison 

Java_M_Robinson@mcpsmd.org