Frequently Asked Questions

You can review all the certification areas on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website, https://www.nbpts.org/wp-content/uploads/Choosing_the_Right_Certificate.pdf. 

Here is a link to the Eligibility Forms: https://www.nbpts.org/wp-content/uploads/Eligibility_Forms_and_Instructions.pdf

1-800-22-TEACH (1-800-228-3224)

The certification process consists of four components: three portfolio entries and a computer-based assessment.

Computer-based assessment:

Component 1: Content Knowledge Assessment

This computer-based assessment asks you to demonstrate knowledge of and pedagogical practices for teaching your content area. This is assessed through the completion of three constructed response items and approximately 45 selected response items.

Portfolio Entries:

Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction

This classroom-based portfolio entry is primarily comprised of samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary.

Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment

This is a classroom-based portfolio entry that requires video recordings of interactions between you and your students.

Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioner

This is a portfolio entry that requires evidence of your impact across your professional responsibilities as an educator including your students, peers, and community.

The Initiative will be aware of your candidacy if you allow a third-party to view your candidacy when you apply to become a candidate.

The Initiaitve will pay up to $950 in assessment fees for first-time submission of the four components. The deadline for candidate registration and payment of your portion of fees is January 21, 2022. *These amounts do not include the annual assessment fees required by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

**Please note the Initiative Support does NOT include the $75 annual registration fee.

The Initiative will pay up to $950 retake fee support per candidate.  This can be used the first year or in subsequent years of retakes if needed.

Fee support is contingent on candidates meeting the Initiative’s deadlines and eligibility requirements. The deadline to pay your portion of the fees and return the Candidate Support Fees Policy is January 21, 2022.

Each year of candidacy requires payment of the $75 annual registration fee.

• Component 1: $125 per exercise and/or the Selected Response Section
• Components 2-4: $475 for each component

**Please note that if the Initiative supported your initial candidacy you are not eligible to receive support in your Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Candidacy. 

The Initiative will pay the $495 fee for MOC candidates not receiving Initiative support during their first candidacy.  Eligible candidates must notify the Initiative by January 21, 2022.

First, you will want to make sure that you allowed a “Third Party to view your candidacy”. Without this permission, the Initiative will not know you are a candidate and will not be able to pay fees. You will also want to make sure you have paid your portion as outlined in the table above. The Initiative will not authorize payment until your portion has been paid for the component(s). If you have done both of these items, the Initiative may not have made a payment yet. The Initiative’s payment of fees is not instantaneous; to check your status, please contact Mary Garland, mleg0@yahoo.com.

If you already paid the full amount of your fees, and the Initiative is aware of your candidacy, you will need to contact the National Board to request a refund (1-800-22-TEACH). 

To schedule your Component 1 testing you will need to first receive your Authorization to Test from the National Board. This will provide the instructions to schedule your date and location for the Component 1 testing.

You are not required to attend the workshops in order to receive financial assistance. Workshops are optional, but highly recommended.

The Initiative will provide meals during the workshop and will pay for half the cost of a hotel room per candidate (if needed). The Initiative will not cover transportation or meals/activities outside of the workshop. There is no registration fee.

Transportation and room reservations are the responsibility of the candidate. Note, double occupancy with another candidate is required for teachers staying in a hotel room. Should you choose to have a single room you will be responsible for half of the cost of the room. You will also want to make sure to complete workshop preparation as outlined on your registration confirmation page.

Yes. As long as you formally withdrew from the process the first time by the deadline date set by the National Board, you are still eligible for Initiative Support.

No, as a non-completer you are not eligible for financial support from the Initiative unless you have reimbursed the Initiative for fees paid on your behalf in your initial candidacy.

Should you not undertake a timely withdrawal or complete all component requirements and your status is therefore reported by the National Board as “No Score”, “Incomplete” or “No Attempt”, reimbursement in the amount contributed by the Wyoming National Board Certification Initiative will be required.

Yes, you can re-enter the process if you do not certify after completing your eligible attempts. However, you will be starting from the beginning with no banked scores. At this time, the Initiative does not provide financial support for those that choose to start the process again after their initial candidacy.

There are leadership opportunities that become available from the Ellbogen Foundation, check your emails for notifications regarding these opportunities.

The State Bonus is a salary bonus. You must be working full-time in a Wyoming school district, as a teacher, to receive the bonus. ** Please note the bonus is not a guarantee and is constantly evaluated by the Legislature.