Choosing the Right Certificate: Information by Certificate Area

Choosing the Right Certificate

Information by Certificate Area

Prepared by Pearson for submission under contract with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

© 2023 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards | All rights reserved. 
Contents 
This document is a reference guide for candidates seeking National Board 
Certification to use when deciding which of the 25 certificate areas, listed 
below, to apply for.  
Art 
Early and Middle Childhood .................................................................................... 1 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................... 2 
Career and Technical Education 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................... 3 
English as a New Language 
Early and Middle Childhood .................................................................................... 5 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................... 7 
English Language Arts 
Early Adolescence ...................................................................................................... 9 
Adolescence and Young Adulthood .................................................................... 10 
Exceptional Needs Specialist 
Early Childhood through Young Adulthood ...................................................... 11 
Generalist 
Early Childhood ........................................................................................................ 13 
Middle Childhood .................................................................................................... 14 
Health Education 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................. 15 
Library Media 
Early Childhood through Young Adulthood ...................................................... 16 

© 2023 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards | All rights reserved. 
Literacy: Reading–Language Arts 
Early and Middle Childhood .................................................................................. 17 
Mathematics 
Early Adolescence .................................................................................................... 18 
Adolescence and Young Adulthood .................................................................... 19 
Music 
Early and Middle Childhood .................................................................................. 20 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................. 21 
Physical Education 
Early and Middle Childhood .................................................................................. 22 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................. 23 
School Counseling 
Early Childhood through Young Adulthood ...................................................... 24 
Science 
Early Adolescence .................................................................................................... 25 
Adolescence and Young Adulthood .................................................................... 26 
Social Studies–History 
Early Adolescence .................................................................................................... 27 
Adolescence and Young Adulthood .................................................................... 28 
World Languages 
Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood .................................................. 29 
 

Early and Middle Childhood/Art

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early and Middle Childhood/Art (Ages 3-12)

The Early and Middle Childhood/Art certificate is appropriate for teachers who know the making

and content of the visual arts and who teach visual arts to students ages 3–12. To successfully

achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and

teaching practice meet the Early Childhood and Middle Childhood/Art Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 3–12. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions,

all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Art

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Art

(Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Art certificate is appropriate for teachers

who teach visual arts to students ages 11–18+ and who know the making and content of the

visual arts. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether

your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the Early Adolescence through Young

Adulthood/Art Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected

response items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–18+. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than

the 12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/ . If you have further questions,

you may wish to discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school

faculty, a National Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level

administrator who is directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Career and Technical Education

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Career and

Technical Education (Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Career and Technical Education certificate is

appropriate for teachers who teach career and technical information subjects to students ages

11-18+ and who know industry-specific subject matter. To successfully achieve certification in

this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet

the Career and Technical Education Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–18+. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Career and Technical Education certificate area

includes the following paths:

 Business, Marketing, and Financial Services. Teachers in this path focus on

education for, and about, business. The academic and occupational content of this career

cluster addresses business, management, and administration; finance; and marketing,

sales, and services.

 Community Services. Teachers in this path instruct students in government services,

law and public safety, health services, and human services. Government services

comprise the planning and implementation of public administration activities on a local,

state, and national level, while law and public safety addresses law enforcement,

correctional services, and fire science. Health services encompass diagnostic, therapeutic,

and medical laboratory services, as well as nursing, health informatics, and health care

administration and management. The area of human services includes child and family

services, counseling and mental health, consumer services, food and nutrition,

cosmetology, interpretation, and teacher training.

 Decorative Arts and Design. Teachers in this path provide students with the technical

and business skill sets they need to obtain employment in major industries or as artisans

in cottage industries, such as apparel design and clothing construction, ceramics and

pottery, floral arrangement, interior design and decorating, jewelry making, and textile

design.

 Engineering, Design, and Fabrication. Teachers in this path prepare students to

undertake tasks such as building electronics, repairing roadways, constructing buildings,

maintaining and servicing power plants, and designing new products. They introduce their

students to new tools and machinery, technologies and materials, processing and

feedback controls, and outputs and robotics.

 Information Systems and Technology, Communications, and the Arts. Teachers in

this path show their students how to use words, sounds, signs, and symbols to create

meaning. Practitioners specialize in a range of fields—including communications and

journalism, fine and performing arts, information systems and technology, and media

arts—but the purpose of their activities centers on communication.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Career and Technical Education

Choosing the Right Certificate

 Leisure and Recreation Services. Teachers in this path prepare their students for

careers in culinary arts, entertainment management, event marketing, food and

beverage service, hospitality and tourism, and sports management. Teachers have a

broad knowledge of business functions related to resource and information management,

communications, and customer service, which they couple with technical skills within

their field of expertise.

 Natural Resources. Teachers in this path teach courses in agriculture, food, and natural

resources. They have an in-depth understanding of life science and possess industry-

specific knowledge related to commerce, communication, economics, entrepreneurship,

finance, and policy within the realm of natural resources. The coursework that these

teachers provide is often classified within seven broad categories: agribusiness systems;

animal systems; energy systems; food products and processing systems; natural

resource systems; plant systems; and power, structural, and technical systems.

 Transportation Systems and Services. Teachers in this path specialize in vehicle

mechanics and transportation networks. Training in this career pathway provides

students with the experience they need to pursue careers as automotive technicians,

aviation pilots and mechanics, heavy equipment operators, collision repair specialists,

and warehouse managers, among others.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language

(Ages 3-12)

The Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language certificate is appropriate for teachers

who teach linguistically and culturally diverse learners ages 3–12 and who know the range of the

early and middle childhood curriculum. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you will

be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the English as a New

Language Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. For each portfolio component, you must have access to a class of at least 3

students, in which 51% of the students are ages 3–12. Except when otherwise noted in

component-specific instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be

gathered no earlier than the 12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission

Window.

The Early and Middle Childhood/English as a New Language certificate area includes the following

paths:

 Path 1 is an assessment of the English as a New Language Standards and is designed for

bilingual teachers (the term "bilingual" is used here in a nonspecific sense to identify the

teacher who uses both English and another language in instruction). Candidates who

select Path 1 will also need to demonstrate their accomplishment as either Early

Childhood or Middle Childhood Generalists. Candidates who select Path 1 will be tested on

the path selected. For example, if you have selected the Early Childhood/Generalist path,

the test administered for Component 1 will be the Early Childhood/Generalist test and you

will need to study the Early Childhood/Generalist Component 1: Content Knowledge

Sample Items and Scoring Rubrics when preparing for your appointment.

Portfolio Components 2-4 are the same for each path. When completing these

components, you will follow the General Portfolio Instructions and English as a New

Language component instructions and scoring rubrics. All candidates in bilingual

programs must show in their portfolio entries that they are fostering English

language development, and not another language, within their bilingual context.

 Path 2 is also an assessment of the English as a New Language Standards and is

designed for teachers who identify themselves as English Language Development

Specialists (ELDS). ELDS is used here to identify the teacher who is an English language

development specialist and who may or may not use the students' first language in

instruction). Candidates who select Path 2 will need to study the English as a New

Language Component 1: Content Knowledge Sample Items and Scoring Rubrics when

preparing for their appointment.

Portfolio Components 2-4 are the same for each path. When completing these

components, you will follow the General Portfolio Instructions and English as a New

Language component instructions and scoring rubrics. All candidates must show in

their portfolio entries that they are fostering English language development, and

not another language.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a

New Language (Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language certificate is

appropriate for teachers who teach linguistically and culturally diverse learners ages 11–18+ and

who know the range of the early adolescence through young adulthood curriculum. To

successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content

knowledge and teaching practice meet the English as a New Language Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. For each portfolio component, you must have access to a class of at least 3

students, in which 51% of the students are ages 11–18+. Except when otherwise noted

in component-specific instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be

gathered no earlier than the 12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission

Window.

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/English as a New Language certificate area

includes the following paths:

 Path 1 is an assessment of the English as a New Language Standards and is designed for

bilingual teachers (the term "bilingual" is used here in a nonspecific sense to identify the

teacher who uses both English and another language in instruction) who would like to

achieve certification within the English as a New Language framework while also

demonstrating their accomplishment as Early Adolescence (EA) or Adolescence and Young

Adulthood (AYA) content specialists in Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies–History.

Candidates who select Path 1 will be tested on the path selected. For example, if you have

selected the Early Adolescence/Mathematics path, the test administered for Component 1

will be the Early Adolescence/Mathematics test and you will need to study the Early

Adolescence/Mathematics Component 1: Content Knowledge Sample Items and Scoring

Rubrics when preparing for your appointment.

Portfolio Components 2-4 are the same for each path. When completing these

components, you will follow the General Portfolio Instructions and English as a New

Language component instructions and scoring rubrics. All candidates in bilingual

programs must show in their portfolio entries that they are fostering English

language development, and not another language, within their bilingual context.

 Path 2 is also an assessment of the English as a New Language Standards and is

designed for teachers who identify themselves as English Language Development

Specialists (ELDS). ELDS is used here to identify the teacher who is an English

language development specialist and who may or may not use the students' first

language in instruction). Candidates who select Path 2 will need to study the English as a

New Language Component 1: Content Knowledge Sample Items and Scoring Rubrics

when preparing for their appointment.

Portfolio Components 2-4 are the same for each path. When completing these

components, you will follow the General Portfolio Instructions and English as a New

Language component instructions and scoring rubrics. All candidates must show in

their portfolio entries that they are fostering English language development,

and not another language.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence/English Language Arts

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence/English Language Arts (Ages 11-15)

The Early Adolescence/English Language Arts certificate is appropriate for teachers who teach

students ages 11–15 and who know the full range of the school language arts curriculum,

including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To successfully achieve certification in this

area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the

English Language Arts Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–15. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Adolescence and Young Adulthood/English Language Arts

Choosing the Right Certificate

Adolescence and Young Adulthood/English Language Arts

(Ages 14-18+)

The Adolescence and Young Adulthood/English Language Arts certificate is appropriate for

teachers who teach students ages 14–18+ and who know the full range of the school language

arts curriculum, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To successfully achieve

certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching

practice meet the English Language Arts Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 14–18+. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs

Specialist (Ages birth-21+)

The Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate is

appropriate for teachers who teach students ages birth through 21+ years*

with exceptional

needs, and who know the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of exceptional needs

education. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your

content knowledge and teaching practice meet the Exceptional Needs Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. For each portfolio component, you must have access to at least 3 students* with

exceptional needs. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions, all

evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

Featuring students ages birth-3 years old: While the National Board Standards range from

birth to 21+, when selecting your student(s), keep in mind that infants and toddlers may not

offer the best opportunity to demonstrate evidence of accomplished teaching standards.

Instructions require candidates to demonstrate teaching practice in a classroom or

educational setting. To that end, it’s permissible to work with a colleague to teach a lesson or

unit in their classroom for Components 2, 3, and 4.

Candidates applying for certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate area must

select a specialty area when applying. The following path descriptions may help you determine

the specialty area that best fits your teaching situation:

 Deaf/Hard of Hearing (birth to 21+ years). Teachers in this path work with students

from birth to 21+ years of age with any degree of hearing loss, from mild unilateral to

profound bilateral loss, in self-contained to home or generic education environments, and

via multiple languages and communication modes.

 Early Childhood (birth to 8 years). Teachers in this path work with students from

birth to 8 years of age with special needs. These teachers may serve families with

children who have special needs in a family-centered approach to early intervention,

children who are at risk for special needs, and children with a wide range of special

needs.

 Gifted and Talented (3 to 18+ years). Teachers in this path work with students with

gifts and talents from 3 to 18+ years of age.

 Mild/Moderate Disabilities (5 to 21+ years). Teachers in this path work with

students from 5 to 21+ years of age with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. The

students served by these teachers may have learning disabilities, mild to moderate

intellectual disability, attention deficit disorders, developmental delays, autism, emotional

disturbance, behavioral disorders, or health impairments.

 Severe and Multiple Disabilities (5 to 21+ years). Teachers in this path work with

students from 5 to 21+ years of age with a range of cognitive abilities, often

accompanied by sensory, physical, emotional, and/or health impairments. The students

served by these teachers may have severe or profound intellectual disability, traumatic

brain injury, uncontrolled seizure disorders, dual sensory impairments, autism,

neurological impairments, physical impairments, and/or health impairments.

 Visual Impairments (birth to 21+ years). Teachers in this path work with students

from birth to 21+ years of age with visual impairment. The students served by these

teachers may have low vision or severe to total visual impairment.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

*Students need not be seen in the context of a classroom group. Teachers, working one on one with IEPd or IFSPd

students under federal or state mandated special education laws are eligible to pursue this certificate. In most states,

the students included under these mandates would be ages birth to 21. In states where the mandate extends special

education beyond age 21, teachers should contact National Board prior to applying to determine whether their teaching

context meets the eligibility requirements for candidacy.

Early Childhood/Generalist

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Childhood/Generalist (Ages 3-8)

The Early Childhood/Generalist certificate is appropriate for teachers of students ages 3–8 who

engage their students in all subject areas addressed in the Early Childhood Generalist Standards.

Some Generalists are assigned to teach a single subject while others are assigned multiple

subjects, for example, humanities teachers or mathematics/science teachers. Some focus their

teaching on interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary lessons while others may use such curricular

approaches only occasionally. However, all Generalists, without regard to their assignment,

practice in a manner designed to advance student learning in two or more subjects. To

successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content

knowledge and teaching practice meet the Early Childhood Generalist Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 3–8. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions,

all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

The computer-based assessment will test knowledge of multiple subjects from the standpoint of

teaching children of the appropriate age group. For information about the full certification

process, eligibility requirements, and application instructions, read the Guide to National Board

Certification. Find detailed information about the above assessment components for each

certificate area at www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions,

you may wish to discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty,

a National Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who

is directing a National Board program.

Middle Childhood/Generalist

Choosing the Right Certificate

Middle Childhood/Generalist (Ages 7-12)

The Middle Childhood/Generalist certificate is appropriate for teachers who teach students ages

7–12 and who know the range of the middle grades curriculum: language arts, mathematics,

science, social studies and history, the arts, and health. Some Generalists are assigned to teach

a single subject while others are assigned multiple subjects, for example, humanities teachers or

mathematics/science teachers. Some focus their teaching on interdisciplinary or cross-

disciplinary lessons while others may use such curricular approaches only occasionally. However,

all Generalists, without regard to their assignment, practice in a manner designed to advance

student learning in two or more subjects. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you

will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the Middle

Childhood Generalist Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 7–12. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions,

all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

The computer-based assessment will test knowledge of multiple subjects from the standpoint of

teaching children of the appropriate age group. For information about the full certification

process, eligibility requirements, and application instructions, read the Guide to National Board

Certification. Find detailed information about the above assessment components for each

certificate area at www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions,

you may wish to discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty,

a National Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who

is directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Health Education

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Health

Education (Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Health Education certificate is appropriate for

teachers of students ages 11–18+. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has

developed 11 Standards of accomplished practice for health education teachers. They each

describe an important facet of accomplished teaching; they often occur concurrently because of

the seamless quality of teaching. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be

assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the Health Education

Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–18+. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Library Media

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Library Media

(Ages 3-18+)

The Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Library Media certificate is appropriate for Library

Media specialists who teach students ages 3–18+ and who know the range of information

literacy, instructional collaboration, and the integration of technology. To successfully achieve

certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching

practice meet the Library Media Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class in which 51% of the students are ages 3–18+.

Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions, all evidence of your

work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months prior to the opening

of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading–Language Arts

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading–Language Arts

(Ages 3-12)

The Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading–Language Arts certificate is appropriate for

teachers who teach students ages 3–12 and who know the range of the Literacy: Reading–

Language Arts curriculum: reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing. Some Literacy:

Reading–Language Arts teachers are assigned to teach a single student at a time while others

are assigned small groups or whole classes of students. Some focus their teaching on a

prescribed approach to teaching literacy while others may teach a broader, more open

curriculum. However, all Literacy: Reading–Language Arts teachers, without regard to their

assignment, practice in a manner designed to advance student learning in Literacy: Reading–

Language Arts. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether

your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the Literacy: Reading–Language Arts

Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 1 student, in which the student(s)

are ages 3–12. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions, all

evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence/Mathematics

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence/Mathematics (Ages 11-15)

The Early Adolescence/Mathematics certificate is appropriate for teachers who teach students

ages 11–15 and who know the full range of the school mathematics curriculum: numbers and

operations; algebra and functions; geometry; discrete mathematics; trigonometry; data analysis

and statistics; and calculus as described in the Mathematics Standards. To successfully achieve

certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching

practice meet the Mathematics Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–15. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics

Choosing the Right Certificate

Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics

(Ages 14-18+)

The Adolescence and Young Adulthood/Mathematics certificate is appropriate for teachers who

teach students ages 14–18+ and who know the full range of the school mathematics curriculum:

numbers and operations, algebra and functions; geometry; discrete mathematics; trigonometry;

data analysis and statistics; and calculus. To successfully achieve certification in this area, you

will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet the

Mathematics Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 14–18+. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early and Middle Childhood/Music

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early and Middle Childhood/Music (Ages 3-12)

The Early and Middle Childhood/Music certificate is appropriate for teachers who teach music to

students ages 3–12, who know the full range of the school music curriculum, and who have

highly specialized knowledge in choral, instrumental, or general music. To successfully achieve

certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching

practice meet the Music Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 3–12. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions,

all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

The Early and Middle Childhood/Music certificate area includes the following paths:

 Band

 Orchestra

 Vocal

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Music

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Music

(Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Music certificate is appropriate for teachers who

teach students ages 11–18+, who know the full range of the school music curriculum, and who

have highly specialized knowledge in choral, instrumental, or general music. To successfully

achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and

teaching practice meet the Music Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 11–18. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific

instructions, all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the

12 months prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Music certificate area includes the following

paths:

 Band

 Orchestra

 Vocal

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early and Middle Childhood/Physical Education

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early and Middle Childhood/Physical Education (Ages 3-12)

The Early and Middle Childhood/Physical Education certificate is appropriate for teachers of

students ages 3–12 who teach physical education programs. To successfully achieve certification

in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and teaching practice meet

the Physical Education Standards.

Your certification assessment will include

 one computer-based assessment of content knowledge administered at a testing

center. You must complete 3 constructed response exercises and 45 selected response

items.

 three portfolio assessments in which you demonstrate your accomplished teaching

practice. You must have access to a class of at least 6 students, in which 51% of the

students are ages 3–12. Except when otherwise noted in component-specific instructions,

all evidence of your work with students must be gathered no earlier than the 12 months

prior to the opening of the ePortfolio Submission Window.

For information about the full certification process, eligibility requirements, and application

instructions, read the Guide to National Board Certification. Find detailed information

about the above assessment components for each certificate area at

www.nbpts.org/certification/candidate-center/. If you have further questions, you may wish to

discuss your teaching situation with professional colleagues, your school faculty, a National

Board Certified Teacher, your faculty support group, or a local-level administrator who is

directing a National Board program.

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Physical Education

Choosing the Right Certificate

Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Physical

Education (Ages 11-18+)

The Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood/Physical Education certificate is appropriate for

teachers of students ages 11–18+ who teach physical education programs. To successfully

achieve certification in this area, you will be assessed on whether your content knowledge and

teaching practice meet the Physical Education Standards.