• Licensees
  1. Why should I apply for an NBL License?
  2. I already have a teachers license. Should I still apply for an NBL license?
  3. Do continuing education, adult education or professional development courses count toward the NBL requirement?
  4. Does teaching experience count towards licensure?
  5. Do I still have to apply if I graduated from a school whose program is approved for automatic licensure?
  6. What is the deadline for applications?
  7. How do I apply for a License?
  8. I am having a hard time getting my records sent from overseas. What should I do?
  9. How do I renew my license after 5 years?
• Schools
  1. What must we demonstrate in order for one of our classes to be approved for the NBL requirements?
• Central Agencies
  1. What benefits do we receive for our dues?

Licensees
1. Why should I apply for an NBL License?
By having an NBL Teacher's License for Jewish supplementary/community schools, Jewish days schools or Jewish early childhood programs you will:

• Increase your marketability: NBL Licenses are recognized throughout the USA and Canada
• Double your degree's power! Apply your previously earned college credits and in-service work.
• Qualify for higher salary scales for licensed teachers in many schools.
• Earn benefits and "perks" in many communities.
• Build your knowledge base with Judaic and pedagogic courses or seminars.
• Raise the standard of Jewish educators by helping to professionalize the field.
• Be a role model for your students.
• Demonstrate your commitment to Jewish education and life-long learning.
• Help shape our Jewish future.
• Be the best Jewish educator you can be.

Licensees
2. I already have a teachers license from (my local BJE, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts..for example). Should I still apply for an NBL license?
The NBL has 15 affiliated local boards of license.

Licenses issued by these affiliates are recognized by the NBL.

However, some local boards are only authorized to issue Permit E, Certificate Level I and Certificate Level II licenses for supplementary/community school teachers. In these cases, candidates for the Associate License B, and License A need to apply directly to the NBL. Applicants should check with their local boards regarding the specific licenses they issue. In addition, all applicants for a Jewish Family Educator License, a Principals License, or a Teacher of Talmud License need to apply directly to the NBL.

Licensees
3. Does a continuing education class in Jewish studies or education count toward the NBL requirement? Does adult education at my synagogue count toward the NBL requirement? Does professional development in-service programs offered by my local board of Jewish education/central agency count toward the NBL requirement?
Yes. Recognition may be given for continuing education programs offered by local institutions, professional educator organizations and professional experience. Units may be earned through participation in:

• Communally sponsored courses approved by the NBL and meeting the standards of its Guidelines for Non-University Courses. One unit is earned for each fifteen hours of instruction.
• Seminars, workshops, and in-service experiences including sessions attended at regional and national conferences, teacher centers, and educator organizations, e.g., CAJE, CJE, ECA, JEA and NATE; NAIS, NSDC, and ASCD; and state education associations, or communal and synagogue sponsored adult education courses. One unit is earned for each twenty contact hours. A written log must be presented for evaluation for each session or series of sessions which details the title of the session, the instructor, the number of hours, the goal of the session and a brief description of the content. A copy of the written announcement/description must be submitted for each session or series.

Licensees
4. Does teaching experience count towards licensure?
Yes. One half unit is awarded for each two hours per week of annual teaching to a maximum of six units per year. A total of nine units may be granted toward the education requirement. A letter of validation from the supervisor must be submitted with the application.

Licensees
5. Do I still have to apply if I graduated from a school whose program is approved for automatic licensure?
Yes. All graduates of current member institutions of the Association of Institutions for Higher Learning in Jewish Education (AIHLJE) who receive a BA or a BHL with a concentration in Jewish Education, a BJF, a BA or MA in Jewish Education, an MJS, or MA in Jewish Communal Service with a Jewish Education concentration, will be automatically eligible to receive the Teacher's License from the NBL or any one of its recognized affiliates. However, to receive this license, a formal application must be made to the appropriate licensing board.

Licensees
6. What is the deadline for applications?
The NBL confers licenses twice a year at its semi-annual board meetings. In order to allow time for review and processing, applications must be submitted by October 1 for consideration at the Winter meeting and by March 1 for consideration at the Spring meeting.

Licensees
7. How do I apply for a License?
There are three ways you can apply for a license.

• If you live or work in an area where there is a local affiliate contact the affiliate for an application.
• Download the application form from this website
• Contact the NBL and request an application:
        The National Board of License
        520 8th Ave, 4th floor
        New York, NY 10018
        Tel: 212-532-7783
  
  

Licensees
8. I am having a hard time getting my records sent from overseas. What should I do?
Complete the application form. Indicate those institutions for which you are unable to obtain records. Gather the records you can find, such as, diplomas, letters of recognition, transcripts, and attach copies of these documents to your application. Also submit a list of the courses you have studied.

Licensees
9. How do I renew my license after 5 years?
The teacher's license must be renewed every five years. To renew the license, an equivalent of three units of study must be completed within that five year period. Teachers may earn the credits either through formal academic study or through various continuing education programs. (See Question #3)

Accurate records of the courses, seminars and workshops should be maintained by the teacher and submitted to the Executive Secretary of the local board (where applicable) or the National Board of License at the time of renewal.

Upon approval, you will receive a renewal sticker to place on your license.

Schools
1. What must we demonstrate in order for one of our classes to be approved for the NBL requirements?
Schools need to submit the following items for evaluation by the NBL in order to receive approval for fulfillment of NBL requirements:

1. Goals and objectives of the course
2. A course outline
3. Expectations for students/requirements
4. Biography of the course instructor

Central Agencies
What benefits do we receive for our dues?

1. Being part of a national licensure network
2. The ability to fulfill your obligations to your teachers in helping them become certified/licensed Jewish professionals.
3. The ability and advantage of using national standards for licensing teachers
4. The ability to tie your local salary scale with licensure standards