National Board Certification[R] is a nationwide program designed to identify, recognize and reward teachers and school counselors who meet the highest standards of their profession. To achieve certification, teachers must demonstrate thorough mastery of the subjects they teach, the methods of instruction to use, and the skill to apply that mastery in classrooms every day. This document presents information about National Board Certification[R] in general, the standards on which it is based, how the process works, and how teachers and school counselors can take the first steps toward becoming National Board Certified Teachers.