Printable One-Pager - American Board License
House Bill 1287, the American Board Bill, was signed into law on April 24, 2019.
American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) is an alternative route to teacher licensure. This pathway is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking to become licensed teachers in North Dakota. This pathway is ideal for career changers or individuals with content expertise.
Process
- Enroll in the American Board program – enrollment fee is $1900. Visit www.americanboard.org for details.
- Pass the required exams - Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK)+ subject area(s).
- Apply for and obtain an American Board License through ESPB. This requires completion of an ESPB background check if not already completed.
- Teach under supervision for at least one year to complete your American Board Clinical Experience.
- Complete NDRISE mentoring and professional development, as outlined below.
- Apply for a regular North Dakota teaching license after meeting all requirements.
The following content areas are offered by American Board for licensure in North Dakota:
Elementary Education
Elementary Education with a reading endorsement
English Language Arts
United States and World History
Mathematics
General Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Special Education with Elementary Education
Candidates can apply for the American Board license with ESPB once they have passed their American Board tests. After an individual has obtained their license, they must complete the following requirements within the first two years of contracted teaching time in a North Dakota school:
a. American Board’s clinical experience program and the ND RISE approved mentor program;
b. Youth Mental Health Competency training;
c. Coursework in cultural diversity which includes Native American studies, as well as teaching diverse learners;
d. Evidence of competencies in beginning reading instruction.