National Board Certification is the most prestigious credential a teacher can earn. Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review. The District program began in 1989 to provide support for teachers to successfully complete the National Board process and score high enough to earn National Board Certification. The goal of the National Board Certification process is to increase teaching standards in education.

Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes, and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach. National Board Certified Teachers have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills, and practices.

The knowledge and skills developed by the teachers involved in the National Board Certification program is shared with new candidates, beginning teachers, and other teachers through the mentor process, thus improving overall teaching and learning in the District. Currently, Hillsborough County has 789 National Board Certified Teachers in the classroom. This year 31 teachers achieved certification. Also, this year 17 National Board Certified Teachers successfully completed the renewal process.