Maximizing Your American Board Free Trial

If you’re considering a career in education, an American Board free trial is the perfect place to start. This 7-day preview gives you access to real certification course materials so you can explore the platform, understand the expectations, and decide if American Board’s online certification program is the right path for you. Perhaps more important, you can use this time access to the study material to determine if teaching is the right field for you.

Here’s how to make the most of your free trial and confidently take your first step toward teacher certification:

Step 1: Sign Up for the American Board Free Trial

Visit americanboard.org and register for your free 7-day trial—no payment required. You’ll get instant access to explore the full experience before enrolling. Please note, at the end of the 7-day trial, there is no obligation to enroll, no auto payments withdrawn, no pressure.

Step 2: Access Your Courses

Once you log in, click “Courses” from the main menu to view your selected subject area and the essential Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) course. You’ll have access to all subject areas offered by American Board, so feel free to review more than one. Perhaps you’re torn between chemistry and general science? Take your time to explore both.

Also, make sure you review the PTK materials, especially if you’re a true career changer. We’ll go deeper on this below…

Step 3: Explore the Study Tools

Your trial gives you access to the same study materials used by thousands of successful teachers:

• Study Plans to help organize your preparation
• Content Standards that define what you’ll need to master
• Study Material, our version of an online textbook
• Online Modules & Workshops to deepen your knowledge
• Practice Exams so you can gauge your readiness

Step 4: Review the PTK Course

The Professional Teaching Knowledge course covers the art and science of teaching. It’s what you need to know to successfully communicate with students. The PTK exam is required for certification, and this course teaches you how to manage classrooms, create lesson plans, and apply effective teaching strategies. It encompasses 50 percent of your certification materials, so don’t skip it!

Step 5: Understand State Requirements

Make sure you review your state’s requirements learn exactly how the certification process works where you live. Each state has its own path, so it’s important to review the details early as they could determine your next steps. Find your state here.

Ready to Move Forward?

• Step 6: Click “Enroll Now” from your dashboard
• Step 7: Choose your subject area and select “Purchase Course”
• Step 8: Complete checkout and begin your certification journey

Questions About American Board’s Certification?

We’re here to help. Contact us at info@americanboard.org or call 877-669-2228 for personalized support. Explore your future in teaching today with the American Board free trial—your classroom career could be just weeks away!

American Board Free Trial: FAQs

• Do I have access to all subjects during the free trial? Yes! During your American Board free trial, you can explore all subject areas offered in your state, including the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) course. This lets you preview the materials and choose the subject that’s the best fit for you.
• Do I need a credit card to sign up? No. Signing up for the American Board free trial is completely free—no credit card or payment information is required.
• Is American Board certification legit? Yes! More than 20,000 teachers have used American Board to launch their careers. You can listen to their experiences here.
• What is the quickest program to become a teacher? In general, you’ll want a competency-based certification program if you’re interested in speed. This let’s you bypass study content you already know.
• How long does American Board take? We allow a full year to complete your course, but most finish is 6-8 months. Impressively, some people finish in just a few weeks!
• What happens after my free trial ends? Once your 7-day trial ends, your access to the course materials will expire. If you’re ready to start your certification journey, you can enroll directly from your dashboard. Need more time? Just email us at info@americanboard.org to request a trial extension; we’re happy to help.