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House Bill 1287, the American Board Bill, was signed into law on April 24, 2019.

American Board is an independent agency, not part of ESPB. They provide a competency-based program which leads to initial licensure in ND.

Please go to the American Board website: www.americanboard.org for details on course offerings, cost, and timeline.   

ESPB will grant a license to individuals who:

1. Possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. Passes a criminal history record check required by section 15.1-13 -14
3. Successfully completes the American Board alternative program

The following content areas are offered by the American Board 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

In addition to completing the American Board requirements, applicants must complete the following requirements within the first two years of contracted time in a North Dakota school:

a. American Board’s clinical experience program and the North Dakota Teacher Support System (TSS) approved mentor program;

b. Youth Mental Health Competency training; and 

c. Coursework in cultural diversity which includes Native American studies, as well as teaching diverse learners.

The Education Standards and Practices Board declared all content areas as critical shortage at their April 11, 2019 meeting for the 2019-2020 school year.

The Education Standards and Practices Board declared no administrator areas as critical shortage.

ESPB is a proud supporter of military families and to show this support, ESPB waives the application and license fees for military spouses. Please contact ESPB at 328-9641 if you have questions on the application process for ND teacher licensure.