Since the nation plunged into economic turmoil, a handful of states have scaled back pay bonuses and subsidies for teachers who earn certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). But factors other than the economy have also played into the cuts, too. Officials in Georgia, for instance, contend that the state wants to turn its teacher-quality focus toward output-based measures of teacher effectiveness, rather than credentials. Both phenomena are leading some experts to urge districts, teacher associations, and the NBPTS itself to think strategically about how to structure incentives so that board-certified teachers' expertise is used effectively in school systems, and thus recognized by a wider cross section of stakeholders. Board certification is an extensive, 10-step process that includes the submission of a portfolio and an analysis of a videotaped recording of teaching. It can take up to three years to acquire the certificate and costs $2,500 to apply. Cutbacks don't necessarily mean a lack of state commitment to the program. Still, some say that rolling back the incentives could reduce the number of applicants--and breaks faith with teachers, who typically earn the bonuses over the 10-year life of the credential.