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

The Rhode Island Department of Education issues Education Administrator Certificates. Certification areas include Building Level Education Administrator PK-12 and District Level Education Administrator.

Academic Obligations

Building Level Education Administrator:

• You must successfully complete a RIDE-authorized program in building level administration that includes a graduate degree and 24 semester hours of graduate courses.
• You must demonstrate the professional skills of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL), emphasizing the knowledge that a building level administrator needs.
• You must demonstrate content skills dictated by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

District Level Education Administrator:

• You must successfully complete a RIDE-authorized program in district level administration that includes at least a master’s degree, and 24 semester hours of graduate courses.
• You must demonstrate the professional skills of the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leadership (RISEL), emphasizing the knowledge that a district level administrator needs.
• You must demonstrate content skills mandated by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

Assessments

For both endorsements, you are expected to pass a field testing requirement mandated by RIDE.

Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements

Building Level Education Administrator: You must possess a practicum of at least 300 hours in building level administration. Additionally, you must have at least 3 years of professional education experience at the PK-12 level.

District Level Education Administrator: You must possess licensure as a Building Level Education Administrator (implying that you also have experience in this area and successfully complete 300 hours of a building level administration practicum and 3 years of professional education experience). Instead of holding a Building Level Education Administrator certificate, you may substitute relevant leadership experience you may have gained in other organizations besides schools.

Documents and Application Requirements

After you have completed the educational, experience, and exam obligations, utilize the Educator Certification General Application Form to apply for Education Administrator Certification in Rhode Island. Attach application fees, official college transcripts, a statement from your education administrator preparation program that you have completed the program, official letters (on letterhead) verifying experience, and copies of all other educator certificates you may hold.

Mail this info to Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Educator Quality and Certification, 255 Westminster Street, 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02903-3400.

Background Check Requirements

Before you acquire your education administrator license, you must undergo a criminal history background check.

State Contacts

For additional info, make contact with institutions in Rhode Island offering authorized school administrator preparation programs.

For additional info on administrative licensure in Rhode Island, make contact with Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) Office of Educator Quality and Certification at [email protected].