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Yes, you need to have a Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university to be eligible for certification with the American Board.
If your degree is from a college or university outside of the United States you will need to submit a credential evaluation along with your transcripts. Please call 1-877-669-2228 or email info@americanboard.org for more information.
Only the states of West Virginia and Mississippi have a GPA requirement for our program.
West Virginia requires candidates to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
See West Virginia state teaching requirements for more information.
Mississippi requires candidates to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their degree with a 2.75 in their major.
See Mississippi state teaching requirements for more information.
All other states do not have a GPA requirement.
No. Your degree does not have to be related to the subject area you want to teach.
A background check is required per our organization’s policies and procedures.
No. The American Board certification is self-paced and self-guided. We provide you with the study materials, you study and take practice tests to determine if you are ready for your two final exams. You can study at home, at your local library, or wherever is most comfortable for you.
The American Board’s main office is located in Atlanta, Georgia with a satellite office in Burtonsville, Maryland.
Candidates have 1 year to complete the program. If a student fails to complete the program in that time and would like to extend their program, they can do so for $389 per 6-month extension.
The average American Board student takes 7-10 months to earn their certification. However, we have had students complete the program in 2 months. It all depends on how much time you can devote to studying and learning the material.
Of course! The main reason why students enroll with us rather than going back to school for their Master’s degree is the flexibility we offer. The program is self-paced, meaning you can study after work or on the weekends.
Whenever you want! You have 1 year to complete the program after enrolling. This means if you enroll on June 30, 2017, you will have until June 30, 2018 to earn your certification without paying for an extension.
As the program is self-paced, you get to choose when to begin the program. There is no class or semester to wait for to begin studying.
Each state has their own laws and regulations when it comes to alternative teaching certification. The American Board works closely with state education departments and legislators to ensure we meet all state requirements to produce quality educators. This is a long process (up to 2 years in some cases) and we have not made it to every state yet.
Only if you teach in a private school. It also depends on the private school’s requirements to teach.
For more information on teaching in a private school, click here.
Yes. Many schools abroad accept the American Board teacher certification. We highly suggest you contact the school you would like to teach at before you enroll to be sure our program is accepted with that school.
For more information on teaching internationally, click here.
In certain subjects, the American Board offers two certification programs: Standard and Premium. The Standard program provides students with the information they need to learn and pass the subject area exam and the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exam.
The Premium program provides students with everything included with the Standard program, along with additional study materials and practice tests. The Premium program also includes a job counseling webinar and workbook to assist our students with job hunting.
Absolutely! You can certify in more than one subject without having to take the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exam multiple times. Each additional subject certification after your original subject costs $850.
For one-time payments, simply add one subject certification to your cart, then add your second subject to the cart and check out. For installment plans, please call 1-877-669-2228 for assistance. Do not enroll online if you plan to use an installment payment plan.
NO! The only websites associated with the American Board are americanboard.org, abcte.org, abcte.org/blog, and our social media profiles.
Any other websites that claim to have practice materials for our exams are not affiliated with the American Board. We therefore cannot recommend or review those products.
If you have a question on whether a product or service is affiliated with our program, give us a call at 1-877-669-2228 for assistance.
When do I take my exams?
Whenever you’re ready! Because our program is self-guided, you will be able to determine when you are ready to take your exams (especially after completing the included practice exams).
Where do I take my exams?
All exams are proctored at Pearson VUE testing centers. Pearson VUE has testing centers across the United States and many centers abroad. The exams will be conducted on a computer. Click here to find a Pearson VUE center near you.
Will I take my exams on the same day?
No. In fact, we encourage taking the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exam first, as it can take 4-6 weeks to receive the results of that exam. Then, on a separate day, you can take your subject area exam.
How long will it take after testing to receive my official exam scores?
It differs per exam. Most subject area exams (except ELA) are multiple choice; you will receive your results immediately after the exam is complete. The Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exam and the English Language Arts (ELA) exam have essay components that delay exam results. Allow 4-6 weeks to receive the results of these exams.
What if I fail an exam?
Exams can be retaken up to three times each. If you fail your subject area exam after 3 attempts, you will need to switch subject areas for an additional fee. If you fail your PTK exam after 3 attempts, you will need to find another route to certification.
Do I have to pay to take my exams?
The cost of your first PTK exam and first subject area exam are included in the cost of the program. If you fail an exam and need to retake it, you will be required to pay a fee of $195.
Do you offer installment plans?
Yes, we offer installment payment plans for those that are unable to pay for our program at one time. For more information on payment plans, click here.
Can I use FAFSA, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, or a scholarship toward the cost of the American Board program?
No. As the American Board is certification based and does not offer individual courses, we do not accept FAFSA, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, or other scholarships.
Do any states offer financial aid for students of the American Board?
One state currently offers financial aid through their Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs. Click here for more information: Missouri WIOA, Idaho WIOA, Oklahoma WIOA
What if I change my mind? Can I get a refund?
For the first seven days, yes, you can get a 100% refund. This includes installment payments. After that fees paid in full can be refunded up to 80% if a candidate changes their mind within 30 days of enrollment.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. You can sign-up for a free one week trial here.
I think my situation may be unique. Can someone verify if I will be able to certify with your program?
Of course. Give us a call at 1-877-669-2228 or send us an email at info@americanboard.org with any questions you may have.