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Enroll Now
You’re just a few clicks away from changing lives, including your own. With only two simple entry requirements—a bachelor’s degree and the ability to pass a background check—you’re closer than you think to a rewarding career in the classroom. Choose your state and subject, enroll online in minutes, and start studying the same day.
At a glance
Standard Program Cost$1,900
Typical Time to Classroom6-8 months
Fastest Finish1 month
Online
Self-paced
Competency-based
1
Choose Your Path
Select your teaching state and subject(s). Each state and subject area has unique requirements, so review them thoroughly. Find your state
2
Enroll and Pay
Create your account, choose your program, and pay either once or across nine monthly installments. Once you have enrolled, you will submit official transcripts for your bachelor’s degree and consent to a standard background check. See pricing
3
Start Studying
Your study materials are available as soon as you enroll, so you can start studying the same day. You are now on your way to becoming a teacher! Enroll now
Have a question? Contact our enrollment team.
One price, paid once or spread across nine months.
There is no per-course tuition and no student loan. See full pricing.
Pay once
Standard program$1,900
Premium program$2,100
Premium adds job counseling support and is offered in Biology, English Language Arts, Math and Special Education.
Pay monthly
Standard$298 / mo
Premium$320 / mo
Nine monthly payments. Spreading the cost totals more than paying at once — $2,682 for Standard — and installment plans are not combined with promotional discounts.
Reduced enrollment
Monthly$210 / mo
Total$1,890
Households that fall under the USDA Reduced School Lunch income guidelines may qualify. Check the income table.
Changed your mind? You can get a full refund within seven days of enrolling, installment payments included, and up to 80% back within 30 days if you paid in full. Your first attempt on the PTK and subject-area exams are covered in your enrollment fee; a retake costs $195. Full terms are in the FAQs.
“American Board was instrumental in securing my teaching job. I was drawn to the program by the individually paced modules and extremely reasonable cost. If you choose this program, you won’t regret it!”
“There are no lengthy papers or mentorship requirements, just straightforward tests. If you seek an independent and challenging path to teacher certification, I highly recommend American Board’s teacher certification program.”
“The self-paced online courses allowed me to balance my studies with my job, and the comprehensive curriculum prepared me for the classroom.”
“American Board helped me (with a degree in Economics) find an alternative pathway to licensure. I now serve as a Gifted Coordinator and Team Lead.”
“Obtaining my teaching certification through the American Board was the fastest route to my dream job as a K-2 elementary school specialty teacher.”
“The program gave me the skills and knowledge I needed to pass our state exams and move seamlessly into a full-time teaching role. I have since completed my masters degree in education and will be starting my 13th year of teaching.”
“I was first attracted to American Board because they are the only alternative certification program that provided the subject I wanted to teach—English. I am a self-learner so I loved that the program could be completed online at my pace. I had absolutely no problem finding a job with my certification. In fact, my high school reached out to me!
What do I need to enroll?
Just two things: a bachelor’s degree and a background check. Your degree can be in any field, and it doesn’t have to match the subject you want to teach. You’ll provide official transcripts after you enroll.
You’ll also consent to a standard background check, the same check schools run for every classroom teacher. You complete it as part of enrollment, so there is nothing to submit before you apply.
Does my degree have to be in the subject I want to teach?
No. Your bachelor’s degree can be in any field — it doesn’t have to match your teaching subject. You’ll provide official transcripts after you enroll.
When do I pay, and what does it cover?
The Standard program is $1,900 and Premium is $2,100. That covers your content standards, study materials, study plan, practice quizzes and your first attempt at both required exams. You can pay once or across nine monthly payments, and reduced enrollment is available to households that qualify. See full pricing.
How long does the program take?
The program is 100% online and self-paced. Typical completion is 5-8 months.
Do I need to choose a state before I apply?
Each state and subject area has its own requirements, so it helps to review yours first. Find your state to see what applies to you.
What if I change my mind after I enroll?
You can get a 100% refund within the first seven days, and that includes installment payments. After that, if you paid in full you can be refunded up to 80% as long as you cancel within 30 days of enrolling.
What happens if I don’t pass an exam?
Your first PTK and subject-area exam attempt are covered by the program fee. If you need to retake one, the fee is $195.
Is the free trial actually free?
Yes. The trial runs for one week at no cost, so you can look through the program before deciding whether to enroll.
Have a question that isn’t here? Read our full FAQs.
Ready to get started? We’re here to help.
Choose your state and subject, enroll online in minutes, and start studying the same day.
Want to see how the program works first? Start a free trial.
