281—84.3(256) NBC annual award. If funds are appropriated by the legislature, each eligible NBC teacher will qualify for an NBC annual award. If in any fiscal year the funds appropriated are insufficient to pay the maximum amount of the annual awards to each eligible teacher or the number of teachers eligible to receive annual awards exceeds 1,100 individuals, the department will prorate funds among all eligible teachers. An eligible teacher who receives NBC certification after May 1, 2000, will receive an annual award of up to $2,500 per year or a prorated amount for a maximum period of ten years. An otherwise-eligible teacher who possesses a teaching contract that is less than full-time will receive an award prorated to reflect the type of contract (half-time, quarter-time, etc.).
	84.3(1) Eligibility. In addition to having registered with NBPTS and achieving certification within NBPTS-established timelines and policies, individuals eligible for the NBC annual award will meet all of the following qualifications:
	a. 	The individual is a teacher who has attained NBC certification.
	b. 	The individual is employed by a school district in Iowa and receives a salary as a classroom teacher.
	c. 	The individual completes the department’s annual application process, in a manner prescribed by the department.
	d. 	The individual has received no more than ten annual awards, including the annual award currently sought.
	e. 	The individual is applying for the award within one year of being eligible for the award.
	84.3(2) Application. To receive an award under this rule, an NBC teacher will submit an application verifying eligibility for an NBC award to the department by May 1. The department will issue NBC awards to eligible NBC teachers no later than June 1.
[ARC 7423C, IAB 12/27/23, effective 1/31/24]