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National Board Resource Center

Application for the Illinois National Board First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy

The 2023 Fall subsidy window is September 01, 2023 - October 11, 2023.

The National Board Resource Center (NBRC) at Illinois State University (ISU) is excited to announce that the Fall 2023 window for the Illinois National Board (NB) First Time Candidate Fee Subsidy will be open from September 01, 2023 until October 11, 2023.

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 online application for the Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy.

Step 3:

September 01, 2023 to October 11, 2023 (midnight)

Complete the online Illinois NB Candidate Fee Subsidy application.

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

Step 4:

September 08, 2023

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:

October 11, 2023 (midnight)

This is the last day the NBRC at Illinois State University will accept applications for the 2023-2024 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:

October 18, 2023 (midnight)

Register with NBPTS

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. The state will send payment on your behalf after the close of the subsidy window.

Need help creating an National Board account?

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

Step 7:

Register by 8 a.m. on October 31, 2023

NBRC will post the final Approved List for those after applicants have registered and created an account with NBPTS.

Step 8:

September 2023

NBRC candidate support is anticipated to begin.

Step 9:

February 28, 2024

All component payments will be sent from ISBE to the National Board by the February 16, 2024 payment deadline.