National Board Certification

The West Virginia Department of Education’s (WVDE) National Board Certification (NBC) Support Program is an in-depth professional learning opportunity that allows participants to review and better understand the complete NBC standards and process. It exposes teachers to the process as well as the rigor, challenge and commitment the process entails. 

The Department’s NBC PL, which begins in the summer and continues throughout the school year, offers:

• Structured and sustained support
• One-on-One support provided by expert NBC mentor or cohort support group

To access a printable version of the National Board Certification Process, please download the National Board Certification flyer (PDF).

Did you know?

• As of 2023, 1,218 educators received NBC in West Virginia.
• West Virginia is ranked 14th in the country for the percentage of NBCTs that are a part of the educator population.
• West Virginia is ranked 25th in the country for the number of NBCTs that are part of the educator population.

For a complete listing of National Board statistics please download the National Board Fact Sheet (PDF).

The NBC Process

The National Board Certification program includes four certification components that can be completed over a three-year period. All candidates participating in this support program will be working on and receiving support for components 2 and 3.

• Component 1: Content Knowledge Assessment – computer-based assessment
• Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction – samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary
• Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning – classroom-based portfolio entry that requires video recording(s) of interactions between you and your students. A written commentary in which you describe, analyze and reflect on your teaching and interactions will also be submitted.
• Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioners – evidence of your impact across your professional responsibilities as an educator including your students, peers, and community

National Board Incentives

• Fee-Support: West Virginia will reimburse first-time candidates half of the application fees upon payment to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the remainder of the application fees upon completion and submission of components. Teachers that achieve certification can also apply for an additional $600 for extra expenses.
• Stipends: West Virginia provides an annual state salary bonus of $3,500 for classroom teachers who hold a valid certificate from the NBPTS and are employed in a West Virginia public school, and an additional $2,000 for teachers working in a persistently low performing school.
  • In order for a teacher to qualify for the additional $2,000 supplement for teaching in a persistently low performing school, the follow criteria must be met:
    • National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) must hold an active certification from NBPTS.
    • NBCTs must complete the WVDE Mentor Training.
    • NBCTs must serve in the capacity of a mentor to support other teachers in the school.
    • The designation of persistently low performing schools is determined by the WVDE Finance Office. A list is provided to each county.
  • Many county school districts provide additional support and/or salary supplements.
• Candidate Support: The West Virginia Department of Education provides teachers with a yearlong cycle of support at no cost to candidates beginning with in-person professional learning for teachers to become familiar with the NBPTS process, standards, and expectations of the program. Continued support will be provided throughout the first year in the form of county cohorts or one-to-one mentoring from an active NBCT. Graduate credit for participation in the support cohorts or mentor support is optional for a nominal fee. All teachers must attend the in-person professional learning to be eligible for support (see below for more details).

To access a printable version of the National Board Incentives, please download the National Board Financial Incentives sheet (PDF).

National Board Certification Awareness and Support

National Board Certification Awareness

This session serves as an introduction to the NBC process with detailed information about the expectations and commitment required.

• June 10, 2025 at Holiday Inn, Charleston, WV (Southern Session)
• July 7, 2025 at Waterfront Marriott, Morgantown, WV (Northern Session)

National Board Certification Support

This session supports educators pursuing NBC. It provides insight and strategies on the process to help educators to be more successful.

• June 11-12, 2025 at Holiday Inn, Charleston, WV (Southern Session)
• July 8-9, 2025 at Waterfront Marriott, Morgantown, WV (Northern Session)

Southern Session Registration

Northern Session Registration

National Board Certification Maintenance of Certification (formerly Renewal)

This session supports educators who are looking to renew their National Board Certification. The session will provide valuable information about the maintenance of certification process from logistics and timelines to rubrics and guidelines for successfully maintaining National Board Certification.

Date: FALL 2025 – Date TBD 

To access information about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification process, please visit the NBPTS website.

To apply for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification and related fee reimbursements, please visit the Office of Certification’s application forms page.

National Board Certification Related Policy

Policy 5202

Addresses advanced credentials, reimbursements, and salary supplements associated with National Board Certification.

Access the full document for Policy 5202.

WVBoE Policy 5202, section 126-136-23.5.f.

23.5.f. Reimbursement for NBPTS program fees shall be processed in the following stages in accordance with the provisions of W. Va. Code §18A-4-2a(d): one-half the certification fee shall be paid for reimbursement once to each teacher who enrolls in the program for NBPTS certification; and one–half the certification fee shall be paid for reimbursement once to each teacher who completes and submits all four components and other program requirements to the NBPTS for final scoring; and teachers who achieve NBPTS board certification may be reimbursed a maximum of $600.00 for expenses actually incurred while completing the certification process, with any subsidy funding received to be considered as partial or complete payment of this amount. Additionally, renewal fee reimbursement is available for each successful renewal of the certification as verified by the NBPTS. A request for fee reimbursement must be received by the WVDE no later than June 15 of any fiscal year.

Access the full document for WVBoE Policy 5202.

WV Code Section 18A-4-2a(d)

18A-4-2a. State minimum salary bonus for classroom teachers with national board certification.

(d) For initial certification, one half of the certification fee shall be paid for reimbursement once to each teacher who enrolls submits satisfactory evidence to the West Virginia Department of Education of enrollment in the program for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and as verified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The remaining one half of the certification fee shall be paid for reimbursement once to each teacher who completes submits satisfactory evidence to the West Virginia Department of Education of completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification Completion shall be defined as the completion of ten scorable entries, as verified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Teachers who achieve National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification may be reimbursed a maximum of $600 for expenses actually incurred while obtaining the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

Access the full document for WV Code Section 18A-4-2a(d).