American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a U.S. nonprofit organization that provides an online alternative route to teacher certification.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, commonly called the American Board, is a U.S. nonprofit organization focused on preparing and certifying people who want to enter the teaching profession through an alternative pathway. It was launched in 2001 with a $5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The organization was created around the idea that experienced professionals, subject-matter specialists, career changers, and military veterans should be able to bring their existing knowledge into classrooms without completing a conventional teacher-education route. The American Board’s model is primarily online and self-paced. Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree and must pass a background check. Candidates study for two examinations: one covering Professional Teaching Knowledge and another covering knowledge of the selected subject. Successful candidates receive the organization’s Passport to Teaching credential, which can then be used where state authorities recognize the American Board route. The standard program gives candidates up to 12 months to complete, while the organization has reported that many participants finish in approximately seven to ten months. The program was initially promoted as a fast-track response to teacher shortages, particularly in subjects such as mathematics and science. Pennsylvania became the first state to accept the certification for public-school teaching when its State Board of Education adopted the route in November 2002. Further state approvals followed in Idaho, Florida, Utah, New Hampshire, Mississippi, South Carolina, Missouri, and Oklahoma during the organization’s early expansion. Oklahoma became the ninth American Board state in 2009. The organization later expanded or obtained recognition in additional jurisdictions, although eligibility, certification fields, testing requirements, and the type of license available differ by state. As described in reference material current to August 2025, American Board certification is recognized for relevant purposes in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Many charter and private schools also recognize the credential independently of state public-school licensing systems. Listed certification areas include elementary education, English, mathematics, general science, biology, physics, chemistry, U.S. history, world history, and special education, with availability varying by jurisdiction. The organization’s Arizona initiative, launched in 2013 as the Arizona Center for Teacher Preparation, was presented as a response to shortages of mathematics and science teachers. Former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer endorsed that initiative. In addition to training and examinations, the American Board provides support intended to help candidates navigate the certification process and offers reduced enrollment pricing for individuals who meet income and household-size criteria associated with federal reduced-price school-lunch eligibility. The American Board has been supported by federal education policy figures and state officials, including former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige and governors who backed legislation or administrative approval in their states. A $35 million federal grant announced in 2003 supported continued development of the fast-track certification model. In 2009, the organization said its initial grant period had ended and that it had reached a financial position allowing it to continue without seeking an extension of those government funds. Shawn Arévalo McCollough is identified in the supplied reference material as the organization’s president and chief executive officer. The American Board remains an alternative-certification provider rather than a conventional university-based teacher-preparation institution.
History
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence was established in 2001 with a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Its founding premise was that people with substantial subject knowledge or professional experience should have an efficient way to become teachers without following the traditional university-based teacher-preparation route. The organization was presented as a bipartisan or non-partisan effort to widen the pool of qualified teachers, and it received public support from U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige. Pennsylvania was the first state to accept the American Board credential for public-school teaching. Its State Board of Education adopted the route in November 2002. An early evaluation by Mathematica Policy Research reported that the program was attracting and screening increasing numbers of candidates, many of whom were older than typical entry-level teachers. The reported average candidate age was close to 40, consistent with the organization’s emphasis on career changers and experienced professionals. The study also indicated that many participants obtained teaching positions relatively soon after completing the program. The federal government continued supporting the model. In October 2003, the Department of Education announced a $35 million grant for the American Board’s ongoing development. That same year, Idaho approved the program as a pathway to a full teaching license. Florida followed in June 2004, and Utah approved the program later that year after consideration of proposed legislative changes. New Hampshire’s education commissioner approved the program in December 2004. Expansion continued in the aftermath of the early 2000s teacher-shortage debate. Mississippi approved the program in July 2006, with state officials describing teacher recruitment as part of the state’s broader recovery and school-improvement efforts after Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a position supporting alternative certification and cited the American Board as an example of such a route. South Carolina recognized the credential after legislation signed on June 13, 2007. Missouri followed when Governor Matt Blunt signed Senate Bill 1066 on May 1, 2008, allowing American Board certificate holders to teach under the state’s rules. Oklahoma became the ninth American Board state after the legislature passed Senate Bill 582 in 2009 and the measure was signed into law. In July 2009, the American Board stated that its initial grant had ended and that the organization had achieved a financial position that allowed it to continue without requesting an extension of the federal funding. This marked a transition from its launch phase, which depended heavily on federal development support, toward continued operation as an independent nonprofit certification provider. The organization broadened its state-specific activity in 2013 with the launch of the Arizona Center for Teacher Preparation. The initiative was endorsed by then-Governor Jan Brewer and was associated with efforts to increase the supply of mathematics and science teachers. Over time, recognition expanded beyond the original group of states. Reference material current to August 2025 identifies Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin as jurisdictions recognizing American Board certification for applicable purposes. Recognition is not uniform: states determine their own licensing rules, subject availability, testing requirements, and conditions for employment. The current model is online and self-paced. Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree and must pass a background check. Candidates prepare for a Professional Teaching Knowledge examination and a subject-area examination, with a normal completion window of 12 months and a reported typical completion period of seven to ten months. Those who satisfy the applicable requirements receive a Passport to Teaching credential. The American Board also offers reduced enrollment pricing for applicants meeting income and household-size criteria linked to federal reduced-price lunch standards. Shawn Arévalo McCollough is identified in the supplied material as president and chief executive officer.
- 2013
Arizona Center for Teacher Preparation launches
[1]The American Board launched an Arizona initiative focused partly on addressing mathematics and science teacher shortages.
- 2009
Oklahoma becomes the ninth American Board state
[1]Oklahoma enacted legislation recognizing the American Board route after Senate Bill 582 passed the House unanimously.
- 2009
Initial federal grant period ends
[1]The organization reported that its initial grant had ended and that it could continue without seeking an extension of the government funding.
- 2008
Missouri opens route to certificate holders
[1]Missouri Senate Bill 1066 was signed into law, permitting American Board certificate holders to practice under state rules.
- 2007
South Carolina recognizes certification
[1]South Carolina accepted American Board certification through legislation signed on June 13.
- 2006
Mississippi approval and national policy recognition
[1]Mississippi approved the program, while the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a position supporting alternative teacher certification and cited the American Board.
- 2004
Florida and Utah join expansion
[1]Florida approved the program in June, and Utah’s State Board of Education approved it in November.
- 2004
New Hampshire approval
[1]New Hampshire’s education commissioner approved the American Board program in December.
- 2003
Federal development grant announced
[1]The U.S. Department of Education announced a $35 million grant for continued development of the program.
- 2003
Idaho approves certification pathway
[1]Idaho approved the American Board program as a route toward a full teacher license.
Products and positioning
A flexible, online, self-paced and comparatively direct route into teaching for qualified professionals, career changers, subject-matter experts, and veterans.
Teacher certification · 2001
American Board Online Teacher Certification Program
The organization’s principal offering is an online, self-paced alternative certification program for people with a bachelor’s degree who want to become teachers. Candidates complete preparation in professional teaching knowledge and a selected academic subject, pass the required examinations, and satisfy state-specific requirements. The program is designed to be completed within 12 months, although the supplied reference material reports that many candidates finish in seven to ten months.
Teaching credential
Passport to Teaching
Passport to Teaching is the credential issued to candidates who complete the American Board’s certification requirements. It is not a universally portable license; its practical value depends on state approval, the candidate’s certification subject, and additional rules imposed by the relevant education authority or employing school.
State-specific teacher preparation initiative · 2013
Arizona Center for Teacher Preparation
Launched in Arizona in 2013, this initiative applied the American Board’s alternative-certification approach in a state-specific context. It was promoted as a way to help address shortages of mathematics and science teachers and received public endorsement from former Governor Jan Brewer.
Brand decisions
2013
Launch Arizona-specific preparation initiativeStrategyBackground
Arizona faced shortages of teachers in mathematics and science, creating demand for additional alternative pathways into the profession.
Action taken
The American Board launched the Arizona Center for Teacher Preparation.
Aftermath
The initiative gave the organization a state-specific presence and was publicly endorsed by former Governor Jan Brewer.
2009
Continue operations after initial federal grantStrategyBackground
The organization’s initial federal grant period concluded in 2009.
Action taken
The American Board announced that it could continue operating without requesting an extension of the government funding.
Aftermath
The announcement marked a transition from federally funded development toward continued nonprofit operation supported through its ongoing program activities.
Initial federal grant. $5 million launch grant and subsequent $35 million development grant (2001-2009)
2001
Adopt an alternative, online certification modelStrategyBackground
The organization was created to give experienced professionals, subject experts, career changers, and veterans a route into teaching that did not require a conventional university-based teacher-preparation program.
Action taken
It developed a self-paced program centered on professional teaching knowledge and subject-area examinations, supported by online study and candidate guidance.
Aftermath
The model expanded from its initial federal-development phase into a multi-state certification pathway, with recognition and requirements differing by jurisdiction.
Sources1 sources
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