The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), a private, nonprofit body, was established in 1987 to address the need for uniform teaching criteria and improved methods for gauging how well such standards are met. The NBPTS is comprised of 63 members who are teachers (the majority), school administrators, local board members, state governors (past and present), teacher educators, children's advocates, and business leaders. The board expects to issue its first teacher certificates in 1993. This digest discusses why such a board is necessary, how it will achieve its goals, and what impact it is expected to make. References available from the ERIC database are included. (JD)