1. A. As used in this section:

   1. 1. “Eligible teacher” means any certified teacher in any subject area or grade level who is employed by a public school district in this state; and
   2. 2. “National Board certification” means certification granted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to a teacher who has successfully completed all requirements for initial certification or renewal, as applicable.
2. B. There is hereby established a National Board Certification Bonus Program for eligible teachers who hold or attain National Board certification.
3. C. An eligible teacher who attains, or has attained and continues to hold, National Board certification on or after the effective date of this act shall receive an annual bonus of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) from the State Board of Education for a five-year period subject to his or her continued employment with a public school district in this state and maintenance of National Board certification.
4. D. To begin receiving bonus payments, an eligible teacher shall submit proof of his or her National Board certification to the State Department of Education to receive his or her first annual bonus payment which shall be paid no later than January 31 each year. Bonuses shall be paid from the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund created in Section 6-190.2 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes by the State Department of Education as supplemental compensation. The bonus shall not be included in the calculation of the teacher’s salary for purposes of meeting the district or statutory minimum salary schedule or for purposes of compensating Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma contributions or benefits. No school district shall be liable for payment of bonuses pursuant to this section.
5. E. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to implement the National Board Certification Bonus Program in accordance with this section.

Laws 2026, HB 4268, c. 336, § 3, emerg. eff. July 1, 2026 (editorally renumbered from 70 O.S. 6-214 to 70 O.S. 6-215 to prevent a duplication in numbering).