Alternative teacher certification
Why American Board
Our program is the fastest, most affordable pathway to your teaching career. We have a proven approach that will get you in the classroom in months, not years. Our mission is to help you transform your passion for teaching into a meaningful career.
20,000+
Teachers trained
4,000+
Schools in the American Board network
97%
Principals who retain their American Board-certified teachers beyond 3 years.
Who we help
Start from where you are
Wherever you are starting from, there is a path to the classroom.
The basics
What is teacher certification?
Teacher certification is the credential that allows you to teach in K–12 schools. All states require public school teachers to be certified to ensure they meet professional standards for instruction. There are two primary pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
Alternative certification
Designed for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree, alternative programs are a faster, more flexible, and more affordable path to certification. Most states now recognize alternative certification as an effective solution to teacher shortages and a practical option for career changers.
Traditional certification
This route involves completing a university-based program as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
American Board provides an alternative certification program that is state-approved and fully online. Our program is designed for career changers and aspiring teachers looking for a flexible, affordable path to the classroom, without having to return to college.
What we promise
Our Commitment
Affordable
At less than $2,000, American Board offers teacher certification that won’t saddle you with student loan debt for years to come.
Flexible
American Board’s open enrollment process allows you to get started today, study and test on your own schedule, and be fully certified in weeks—not years.
Responsive
As a national leader in alternative teacher certification, American Board recognizes the needs of local schools and the students they serve. Our program ensures that future teachers are ready to meet those needs on day one.
What we stand for
Our Values
Community
Our motto is simple: Your community. Your teachers. We believe education is best at the local level, and we’re proud of the local career-changers who choose American Board as their path to the classroom.
Leadership
Founded more than 20 years ago by the U.S. Department of Education, American Board offers a time-tested, proven path to success. Additionally, we continue to advocate for increased access to streamlined certification.
Authenticity
American Board is not a university-based program. We pride ourselves on speed and affordability. Certifying thousands of teachers each year, we’re confident in the unique nature of our program and the uniquely qualified teachers we produce.
Progress
American Board aims to help more future teachers reach their fullest potential, in turn helping the students they teach and the schools they serve. Our graduates are a strong part of the solution to America’s teacher shortage crisis.
Our Relationships
Our Partnerships with School Districts
We have deep relationships with principals and school superintendents around the nation. Together, we meet the changing demands of the classroom and address the most pressing challenges facing schools today.
- 97% of employing principals say that they plan to retain their American Board-certified teacher beyond the 3-year mark. The national average for teacher retention rates at that stage is only 80%.
- The average age of a newly trained teacher fresh out of a traditional state university is 22. The average age of an American Board teacher is 39—bringing Professional Teaching Knowledge and subject-matter expertise, and real-world experience to the classroom.
Ready to get started?
Choose your state and subject, enroll online in minutes, and start studying the same day — or try a free trial first to see how the program works.