Benefits for NBCTs (National Board Certified Teachers) Moving to and Teaching in Wisconsin

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

To obtain Wisconsin financial incentives for National Board certification, NBCTs moving to Wisconsin must meet the following requirements:

1. The person is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
2. The person is licensed as a teacher by the State Superintendent or employed as a teacher in a private school located in Wisconsin.
3. The person is employed as a teacher in Wisconsin.

Reimbursement of Certification Process Costs

NBCTs moving to Wisconsin must first apply to the department for reimbursement of up to $2,000 for non-subsidized expenses they personally incurred related to the process of becoming NBPTS certified, even though this occurred in another state. This may include partial costs of the application fees that were not subsidized. The claim for reimbursement must be submitted prior to applying for annual grants and upon meeting all eligibility requirements. When the NBCT meets the above requirements, she or he may request a Reimbursement Application Form from Charlene Koci. in Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing at 608-267-9215. A copy of the NBPTS certificate or score report letter must be attached to the application.

Annual State Grant

NBCTs who have received reimbursement for certification expenses (above) and

• maintain their certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards,
• maintain their state license as a teacher and remain employed as a teacher in this state, or
• remain employed in a private school located in this state

are eligible to apply for a $2,500 annual grant in each of the subsequent years of the effective dates remaining on their NBPTS Certificate. The department will mail grant applications annually to all NBCTs in August or September. They must be completed and returned by the following June 30. It is important to notify the department of any address changes so we may contact you.

QUALIFICATION FOR THE MASTER EDUCATOR LICENSE

Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards does NOT authorize a kind of "national teaching license." NBPTS certification has certain value in most states but must be correlated with Wisconsin's licensing regulations. Certifications issued by the NBPTS do not correspond completely with Wisconsin's authorized licenses and levels. The department can only issue education licenses that are cited in state law and rule.

In order to use an NBPTS certificate to obtain a 10 year Wisconsin Master Educator license (MEL), an NBCT must have completed an approved teacher education program in that field and meet all the requirements of PI 34, Wisconsin Administrative Code, including statutory requirements in s. 118.19, Wis. Stats. Virtually all educators from out of state applying for a Wisconsin teaching license will not meet all the statutory requirements and will be issued a 5-year Professional Educator with Stipulations license accompanied by a list of stipulations that must be resolved prior to receiving a regular license. When the stipulations are resolved, the NBCT new to Wisconsin can apply for the Master Educator license.

• The Master Educator License is only issued for the regular (professional level) Wisconsin license(s) for which the NBCT qualifies that corresponds in field and level to the National Board Certificate.
• A separate application and fee is required for the Master Educator license.
• Application for the MEL can be made upon removal of stipulations.
• Pursuant to rule, the effective dates of the Master Educator license must coincide with the effective dates of the NBPTS certificate. Therefore, regardless of when the NBCT applies for the Master Educator license, its duration will not exceed the effective dates of the NBPTS certificate. Consequently, the duration of the MEL may be fewer than 10 years, dependent on when the NBCT applies for it.
• An educator holding a MEL is exempt from meeting the 6 credit professional education or professional development plan (PDP) requirements as long as the NBPTS certificate is effective.

A separate application for the Master Educator license for NBCTs will be sent to you upon request. A copy of your NBCTS certificate or score report letter must be attached to your application. Please contact Charlene Koci (below) or at 608-267-9215.

Return to Wisconsin process.

For questions about this information, contact Charlene M. Koci (608) 267-9215

Last updated on 8/26/2008 1:53:19 PM