A step by step process…

Becoming a National Board Certification^® Candidate in South Carolina

Spring 2008 SC NBC Loan Window:  February 1 – May 1, 2008

Are you eligible to apply? 

To find out, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) encourages all teachers to:

• Visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards^® Web site (www.nbpts.org) and research not only the process for applying, but also the certificates available, the assessment calendar, the portfolio instructions and the assessment center information.    

• Visit CERRA’s Web site (www.cerra.org) to learn about the SC NBC Loan application process and guidelines for submitting an application.     

• Contact your School District Liaison (list available at www.cerra.org) to obtain a copy of the current SC NBC Loan application and to inquire about district support and incentives.     
• Determine whether you meet all eligibility requirements for the NBPTS certification process and the SC NBC Loan.    
• Take time to carefully review and understand all guidelines for repayment in cases of withdrawal or failure to achieve National Board Certification within the three-year window of initial candidacy.

Once you have determined eligibility and readiness to become a National Board Certification candidate, you must follow the steps outlined below if you choose to take advantage of support in the form of the NBC Loan through the State of South Carolina.

Note: This process is voluntary! Teachers can pursue this certification without any support from the State or any other third party payer by paying the assessment fee directly to NBPTS. However, any funds sent directly to NBPTS will be the responsibility of the teacher and NBPTS. The State of South Carolina does not reimburse funds to any entity for any reason.

If you are eligible…

• Complete an application with NBPTS (available online only). You can apply online with NBPTS by visiting their Web site at www.nbpts.org. Portfolio due dates and assessment center test windows are determined by the date your fee is paid to NBPTS by your third party payer (State of South Carolina via CERRA).  
• When completing the National Board application online, be mindful that in order to be eligible for the SC NBC Loan, you will need to give permission to release your name to third party payers (i.e. CERRA). Otherwise, your loan application cannot be processed.   
• You are required to pay an application fee ($65) directly to NBPTS upon application. Candidates should follow instructions on the NBPTS Web site to submit this payment. This fee is not covered by the SC NBC Loan Program.   
• Once you apply online with NBPTS, complete the SC NBC Loan application that you received from your school district’s NBC Liaison.  These applications cannot be obtained online or faxed; only completed paper applications that are notarized will be accepted.  
• Copies A and B of your complete and notarized loan application must be sent to CERRA. (Retain the cover page and copy C for your personal files.)  Mail Completed Loan Application to:    CERRA, Attn: NBC Loan Program, Stewart House at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733
• Keep in mind that your candidate application status with NBPTS must be confirmed on the database that CERRA downloads directly from NBPTS before we can process a loan application for you.  Both applications (NBPTS and SC NBC Loan) must be complete and information must match before funds can be sent to NBPTS on your behalf. Please allow time for this information to be processed with both NBPTS and CERRA and avoid waiting until the last minute to submit applications.
• The completed SC NBC Loan application MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM ON May 1, 2008.  When your completed loan application is received at CERRA and your name is verified on National Board’s list of “official candidates,” the funding for the assessment fee will be processed and sent to NBPTS.  Completed loan applications are processed and submitted weekly to NBPTS by the office of CERRA. You will receive notification from CERRA via US mail once your loan application has been processed and fees have been submitted to NBPTS on your behalf.
• You are responsible for checking www.nbpts.org for the status of your NBPTS application and payment. Once you apply online with NBPTS, you will be directed to create a personal account in the “My Profile” system used by NBPTS. All candidates are required to notify CERRA and NBPTS of any changes with candidacy status, employment and/or contact information.

WE WISH YOU WELL AS YOU BEGIN THIS JOURNEY TO EXPLORE AND ASSESS YOUR ACCOMPLISHED TEACHING!