A step by step process...

Becoming a National Board Certification^TM Candidate in South Carolina

• Visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website (www.nbpts.org) and research not only the process for applying, but also the certificates available, the online calendar, the windows of assessment, the portfolio instructions and assessment center information.
• Visit the SC Center for Teacher Recruitment website (www.scctr.org) to learn about the NBC Loan Application process and guidelines for submitting applications.
• Contact your School District NBC Liaison (list available at www.scctr.org) to obtain a SC NBC Loan application, learn about district incentives, and support.
• Determine whether you meet all eligibility requirements for the process and the SC NBC Loan and understand all guidelines for repayment due to withdrawal from the process or failure to achieve National Board certification within the three year window of initial candidacy.

• Complete an application with NBPTS (online or paper).
  You can apply online with National Board by visiting their website at www.nbpts.org. Or, if you prefer, paper applications can be obtained by calling National Board at 1-800-22TEACH. If you choose to complete the paper application, it must be submitted directly to National Board at least one week prior to the May 9th deadline in order to allow time for processing. 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 SC via SCCTR).
• When completing the National Board application, please be mindful that in order to be eligible for the SC loan, you will need to give permission to release your name to 3rd party payers (i.e. SC Center for Teacher Recruitment) on question number 34 on the NBPTS application. You MUST also complete ALL requested information (including school and district nces codes). Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the SC NBC loan through the State of SC. Leave no blanks on your application!
• Once you have applied with NBPTS, obtain a copy of the SC NBC Loan Application from your school district?s NBC Liaison. These applications cannot be obtained online or faxed.
• Copies A and B of your complete and notarized loan application MUST be sent to SCCTR (retain the cover page and copy C for your personal files). No incomplete forms will be accepted. The SC NBC loan, a legal document, must be notarized. Incomplete applications will be returned immediately. Deadlines missed due to incomplete information are the applicant?s responsibility.
  

  Mail Loan Application to: SCCTR Attn: NBC Loan Application Ward House @ Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC 29733

• Keep in mind that you MUST show up as an official National Board candidate (on the database that we receive directly from National Board) BEFORE SCCTR can process a loan for you. Both your NBPTS application and your SC NBC Loan must be complete and information must match before funds can be sent to NBPTS on your behalf.
• The completed NBC Loan MUST BE RECEIVED by SCCTR BY THE PREDETERMINED DUE DATE. When your completed Loan is received at SCCTR and your name is verified on National Board?s list of ?official candidates,? your information will be processed and sent to NBPTS via Fed Ex. Completed loan applications are processed and submitted weekly to NBPTS by the office of SCCTR.
• Check www.nbpts.org for the status of your NBPTS application and payment.