announcements

All candidates submitting components with fee support this Spring 2023 should have received funding and should have applied that funding to purchase components in their accounts. 

Candidates who have received state funding are obligated to submit the components paid for by the state. If you experience hardship which affects your ability to submit any component funded by the state, please reach out to Karen_C_Shilling@mcpsmd.org as soon as possible for guidance.

timeline

Support for candidates

• Spring 2022 Webinar recording and resources shared
• MCPS NBPTS Resource Toolkit

Withdrawal

Candidates wishing to withdraw must complete the MCPS withdrawal form and follow all steps embedded within the form. The deadline to withdraw this cycle is December 30, 2022.

• Continuing candidates who have already submitted components in previous cycles using fee support who withdraw before submitting all four components will be required to repay the MSDE the cost of previously funded components.
• After December 30, 2022, the MSDE has paid for the funded components. Candidates who withdraw after this time are responsible for repaying the MSDE the cost of components. Candidates with extenuating circumstances are encouraged to reach out to the NBPTS, Karen Shilling and Amy Huque for guidance.

Cost of NBC

There are four components required to achieve NBC that cost $475 each for a total of $1900. Retakes cost $475-$500 each. Candidates must pay a $75 registration fee to NBPTS that is non-refundable and non-reimbursable for each year they are in the program. Candidates who take a PDO NBC Component Support course will pay $60 course fee for each course which is non-refundable and non-reimbursable.

MSDE Fee support program

Full funding to cover the cost of the four components required for National Board Certification (along with one retake per component) is provided by the MSDE in conjunction with MCPS for teachers in eligible job codes. NBPTS registration and CPD course fees are not covered by the fee support program.

The window to apply for fee support for the 2023-2024 cycle will open early May 2023 - June 30, 2023 and will open again for a short window early in the fall (August 15, 2023 - September 2, 2023). 

NBC information session webinars will be provided in Spring 2023 for new candidates. For more information about beginning National Board Certification and accessing fee support, visit the Spring 2023 NBC Resource Board.

Retakes with fee support

Continuing candidates who wish to use fee support to cover the cost of retakes must follow the fee support application process by submitting a notarized Memorandum of Understading (MOU) during the fee support application window for the cycle during which retakes will be submitted. 

Candidates who may want to retake component(s) with fee support during the 2023-2024 cycle must submit a Google Form and a notarized MOU during the fee support application window early May - June 30, 2023 or during early fall (August 15, 2023 - September 2, 2023). Please be sure to visit the Directions for Accessing Retake Fee Support (Link will be available early May when the fee support application window opens).

tuition reimbursement for Nbc

MCPS will reimburse the cost of only those components paid out of pocket the year you achieve for candidates who are in an MCEA level position. Click here for full information about tuition reimbursement.

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. 

Why should I recertify?

Given the increased emphasis on NBC by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation, all MCPS NBCTs are strongly encouraged to maintain their certificate. Although many pieces of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Legislation are not yet in place, The Blueprint places increased importance and emphasis on NBC by:

• Expressing the desire for all Teachers to hold or be working toward NBC and providing additional salary supplements for eligible teachers who hold NBC.
• Expressing the desire for all Administrators, including Principals, to hold or to be working toward achieving NBC.
• Expressing the desire for Teachers and Leaders who wish to move up the Career Ladder to either hold or be working toward NBC.

If you allow your NBC to lapse, you will need to start the process again as an inital candidate in order to achieve.

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 2026, you could submit MOC in May of 2026 or May of 2025. 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 legislation. Candiates can apply for fee support to cover the cost of MOC during the 2023-2024 cycle beginning early May - June 30, 2023 or August 15 - September 2, 2023. 

Is tuition reimbursement available to cover the cost of MOC?

The cost MOC is eligible for tuition reimbursement through MCPS upon achievement for all staff members in MCEA-level positions. Please visit the MCPS Tuition Reimbursement Webpage for full directions and processes.

What support is available?

MOC Candidates are encouraged to register for the MOC support course which is offered on PDO. Course registration opens in September each year. The course runs from October through May. 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 required work). 

Are you a candidate or NBCT of color and interested in becoming a member of a team of connection makers and community builders that will create a support system and network for educators of color pursuing National Board Certification?

Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, May 30 from 5-6pm at MCEA, 12 Taft Ct, Rockville. Please open the linked flyer for full details and to RSVP.

Ms. Amy Huque

National Board Certification Coordinator

Amy_E_Huque@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Karen Shilling

National Board Certification Support

Karen_C_Shilling@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Java Robinson

MCEA Liaison for NBC Courses and Course Facilitators

Java_M_Robinson@mcpsmd.org

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

NBPTS Webform

NBPTS Online Chat