This policy report from the National Conference of State Legislatures provides the latest information about National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards to aid legislators in determining if this advanced certification can help improve their state’s student achievement and educator effectiveness. In this resource, readers learn about the National Board’s certification process, research on its effectiveness, policy options to support the program, current state support for certification, and examples of successful implementation. Research findings point to students being taught by Board-certified teachers gaining an additional one to two months of instruction, with the positive impact being even greater for minority and low-income students. Overall, this report provides guidance for legislators and district leaders looking to increase student achievement and educator effectiveness. Additionally, characteristics from the National Board certification process can guide teacher preparation faculty and administrators in program design.