Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in Illinois.
If you wish to serve in an Illinois school system’s administrative capacity, you must receive an Administrative Certificate. The General Administrative Endorsement is needed if you plan to work as an assistant school principal, school principal, assistant superintendent, or associate superintendent. The Superintendent endorsement is needed if you plan to work as a school superintendent.
Academic Obligations
General Administrative Endorsement:
- Hold at least a master’s degree with courses in educational administration and supervision
- Finish a state-authorized education administrator program for the preparation of school education administrators (or a comparable out-of-state or foreign program)
Superintendent Endorsement:
- Hold at least a master’s degree
- Finish a state-authorized education administrator program for the preparation of school superintendents (or a comparable out-of-state or foreign program)
- Finish 30 hours of graduate-level courses beyond the master’s level in a program for superintendents, with 16 hours in professional education
Assessments
For the General Administrative Endorsement and the Superintendent Endorsement, you must have already passed the ICTS Basic Skills Exam in reading, math, writing and grammar. You must have already passed the applicable ICTS Content Exam for the endorsement you want (i.e., School principal or Superintendent).
Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements
General Administrative Endorsement:
- Possess 2 years of full-time teaching experience while holding a valid Illinois teaching certificate in early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K-12, or special preschool-age 21 (or a comparable out-of-state certificate)
Superintendent Endorsement:
- Possess 2 years of full-time administrative/supervisory experience in schools while holding a valid Illinois administrative certificate
Document and Application Requirements
Apply online via the Educator Certification System (ECS) or utilize the Application for School Service Personnel or Administrative Certificate to apply for your Administrative Certificate in Illinois.
Background Check Requirements
The Illinois Department of Education does not require a background check for administrative licensure, but you must undergo one after you are hired into an administrative position in an Illinois school system. However, if you answer “yes” to certain queries on the administrative licensure application form, your application’s processing may be delayed while these claims are examined. Additional info may be requested if you have student loan defaults, tax issues, child abuse or neglect history, or have failed to pay child support in the past.
State Contacts
For info on Illinois-authorized education administrator preparation programs, click here.
For additional info on Illinois administrative licensure, call the Certification Division at 217-557-6763.
Indiana
Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in Indiana.
You may acquire a Building Level Education Administrator License if you wish to become a school principal in Indiana. Prospective superintendents must acquire a District Education Administrator License.
Academic Obligations
Building Level Education Administrator:
You must successfully complete an authorized institution program in Building Level Administration and obtain a master’s degree.
District Education Administrator:
It would help if you acquired a specialist or doctoral degree and successfully complete an authorized program in school administration/educational leadership.
Assessments
For both kinds of administrative licensure, you must pass the Indiana CORE Assessment.
Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements
Building Level Education Administrator:
To apply for a Building Level Education Administrator License, you must first hold a Proficient Practitioner or Accomplished /Professional Practitioner license, which indicates that you have at least 5 years of teaching experience.
District Education Administrator:
To apply for a District Education Administrator license, you must first have an Accomplished/Professional Practitioner License. This denotes ten years of teaching experience.
Document and Application Requirements
Applications for Building Level Education Administrator and District Education Administrator Licenses must be filed online through LVIS. Upload a current copy of your teaching certification, plus mail official college transcript showing completion of a master or doctoral degree and successful completion of the authorized building level administration/educational leadership program, to: Indiana Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensing and Development, 151 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Background Check Requirements
Before you acquire your education administrator license, you must undergo a criminal history background check.
State Contacts
If you need additional information on administrative licensure, contact the Indiana Department of Education at 317-232-9010.
