Colorado Administration/Principal Certification
The Colorado Department of Education offers licensing for Principals and Administrators (Superintendents).
Education Requirements
The following are educational requirements for both Principal and Administrator certification in Colorado.
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Colorado.
Initial Principal License:
- You must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- You must complete a Colorado-approved principal preparation program
Initial Administrator (Superintendent) License:
- You must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- You must complete a Colorado-approved graduate program for school administration
Examinations
The following are examination requirements for Principal and Administrative certification in Colorado.
Initial Principal License:
- You must pass the PLACE Principal Exam
Initial Administrator (Superintendent) License:
- You must either pass the PLACE Administrator Exam or receive an exemption based on experience (see below)
Experience Requirements
Initial Principal License:
- You must have at least three years of full-time experience as a licensed teacher, principal, administrator or special service provider
Initial Administrator (Superintendent) License:
- In lieu of taking the PLACE Administrator Exam, you may have three years of full-time experience as a superintendent or assistant superintendent
Document and Application Requirements
You must apply online for both the Initial Principal and Initial Administrator (Superintendent) Licenses. You will need to submit via postal mail supporting documents such as official transcripts showing completion of at least a bachelor’s degree and of the appropriate administrator preparation program; and verification of experience. Any supporting documents that you send to the Colorado Department of Education, including letters or email, must have your full name and date of birth on them. These should be sent to the Colorado Department of Education, Educator Licensing Unit, 201 East Colfax, Room 106, Denver, Colorado 80203.
Any PLACE Exam scores should already be online and available to the Colorado Department of Education at the time of your application. Application fees will also be paid online when you file your application.
Criminal History Background Check
Before submitting your online application for administrative licensure in Colorado, you must complete a criminal history background check and fingerprinting process. Print this form and take it to your local law enforcement agency. Your fingerprint card must be completed in its entirety and is to be submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), 690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000, Denver, CO 80215. You must also pay a $39.50 processing fee by check, money order or credit card form. If you have any questions, call the CBI at (303) 239-4208 or visit their website.
Contact Information
For more information on administrator licensing, call the Colorado Department of Education Educator Licensing Unit at (303) 866-6628.
