The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is an independent, nonprofit organization established in 1987 to advance the quality of teaching and learning in the United States. The organization develops and maintains advanced standards for accomplished teaching and operates a national voluntary certification system for teachers who meet these standards. NBPTS certification is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious credentials in the teaching profession. The certification process requires teachers to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and practices through a series of performance-based assessments, including portfolio submissions and written examinations. The process typically takes one to three years to complete. The organization’s standards are based on Five Core Propositions that define accomplished teaching: commitment to students and learning, knowledge of subject matter and pedagogy, management and monitoring of student learning, systematic reflection on practice, and membership in learning communities. NBPTS offers 25 certificate areas across various grade levels and subject areas. As of 2023, more than 130,000 teachers have achieved National Board Certification. Many states and school districts offer financial incentives and support for teachers pursuing certification, and some incorporate National Board Certification into their teacher advancement systems and education policies.