Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in Nebraska.

When you meet the requirements listed below, you can apply for a Regular Administrative Certificate, valid for 5 years. This certificate is valid for both the school principal and superintendent positions.

Academic Obligations

School principal:

• Prior successful completion of an undergraduate degree  and a state-authorized educator preparation program (which also implies successful completion of the state’s human relations course requirement and special education course requirement)
• Completion of a state-authorized master’s degree administrative preparation program of at least 2 years in duration. This program

Superintendent:

• Prior successful completion of an undergraduate degree  and a state-authorized educator preparation program (which also implies successful completion of the state’s human relations course requirement and special education course requirement)
• Completion of a state-authorized specialist or doctoral degree administrative preparation program of at least 60 graduate semester hours

Assessments

You must possess passed the Praxis I Basic Skills exam before applying for an administrative certificate for either the school principal or superintendent positions.

Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements

School principal:

• Must possess a valid Nebraska teaching certificate and 2 years of teaching experience
• Must successfully complete a practicum of 250 clock hours in an administrative capacity in elementary, middle, or secondary schools

Superintendent:

• Must possess a valid Nebraska teaching or administrative certificate and 2 years of teaching experience
• Must successfully complete a 1-semester practicum in an administrative capacity in an authorized school system.

Document and Application Requirements

With the online application for an administrative certificate, send:

• Institutional Authentication forms for both your teaching program and administrative program
• Authentication of Employment Experience form
• Official transcripts from all colleges
• Official score report for your Praxis I exam

Send the above materials, plus the applicable application fee (or pay online via credit card), to: Educator Certification, Nebraska Department of Education, P.O. Box 94987, Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

Background Check Requirements

Since the administrative certificate eligibility means you already hold a Nebraska teaching certificate, which required you to clear a state and federal background check, you do not need to submit to another criminal history background check when pursuing a Regular Administrative Certificate.

State Contacts

For info on institutions in Nebraska offering administrative preparation programs, make contact with their licensure officers.

For info on administrative licensure in Nebraska, call the Nebraska Department of Education’s licensure division at 402-471-2295.