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National Board Resource Center

Application for the Illinois National Board First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy

The 2025 Spring Subsidy Application will be open from March 15, 2025 10 am- April 30, 2025 Midnight

The National Board Resource Center (NBRC) at Illinois State University (ISU) is excited to announce that the 2025 Spring window for the Illinois National Board (NB) First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy will be open from March 11th, 2025 10 am - April 30th, 2025 at midnight.

Read ALL documents below for complete details regarding the application for the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy.

**NOTE: If you choose to withdraw from the National Board program at any point during the process, it will be your responsibility to contact the NBRC office and notify staff of your intentions. Please see the Must Read document for further information.**

Important Dates

Step 1: 

Before proceeding with the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy application process it is mandatory that you read these documents:

  1. Read and understand the Guide to National Board Certification.
  2. Please read the Must Read document about the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy Application.
  3. Please verify that your information (for example, your last name) is updated on ISBE's ELIS page - incorrect information may result in an application processing delay.

Step 2: 

Complete the Practice Application before proceeding to the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy online application.

Step 3: Coming Soon

March 15th, 2025 10 a.m.- April 30th, 2025 Midnight

Complete the online Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy application.

If you have previously applied and are returning for your second or third year: Click HERE

 

  • It is best to use Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. DO NOT use Internet Explorer

Step 4:

 

The names of the candidates who have applied to receive the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy will begin to be posted on the Eligible List weekly until the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy application closes.

Please allow 10+ business days for your application to be processed.

Candidates will be notified by email if there are issues with the application.

Step 5:

Application Closes April 30th, 2025 at Midnight

This is the last day the NBRC at Illinois State University will accept applications for the Spring 2025-2026 Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy Application. The deadline to complete the application is midnight. Funds must be disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to educators in EBF Tier 1 school districts.

Step 6: NBPTS Registration

2025-2026 Due Date TBD

Register with NBPTS: Link HERE

Refer to the Guide to Board Certification (page 26) for screen shots to guide you through the NB registration.

  • Release to the third party payer (step 4 of the NB registration).
  • "PAY" the yearly, non-refundable $75 NBPTS registration fee.
  • DO NOT PAY for components 1 and 3, Release payment to Third Party Payer (this is the NBRC)
  • The state will send payment on your behalf after the close of the subsidy window.

Need help creating a National Board account?

For all questions about registration, please call NBPTS directly at 1.800.22TEACH.

Step 7: 2025-2026 List Finalized

NBRC will post the final Approved List for those after applicants have registered and created an account with NBPTS. All candidates will be sent a survey for support options via the personal email address submitted on application.

Step 8: Candidate Cohort Support and Registration for Mentor(s)

October 2025

NBRC candidate support is anticipated to begin.

Step 9:

October 2025

All component payments for New and Returning Candidates will be sent from ISBE to the National Board: TBD

Please Note: Candidates will receive an email from NBPTS when funding is available to be applied their component fees.