To be eligible to receive financial aid to pursue initial NBPTS certification, a candidate shall: Have completed 3 years of successful teaching as defined by the NBPTS; Hold a valid Maryland professional license; Affirm voluntary participation in the NBPTS certification process; Have access to a class of students of the age and in the content area of the National Board certificate being pursued; Comply with the deadlines as specified by the Department and NBPTS; and ) If completing a World Language certificate, provide a qualifying score on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) speaking and writing proficiency assessments, as determined by the NBPTS. To be eligible to receive financial aid to pursue maintenance of certification of the NBPTS certificate, a candidate shall: Hold a valid Maryland professional license; and Comply with the deadlines as specified by the Department and NBPTS. Except as provided in §D of this regulation, to be eligible to receive financial aid to pursue a retake of a component, a candidate shall: Hold a valid Maryland professional license; and Comply with deadlines as specified by the Department and the NBPTS. A candidate may only receive payment for one retake of each component on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.