Idaho Administration/Principal Certification
The Idaho State Department of Education requires anyone who serves as a school principal or as a superintendent to hold an Administrator Certificate.
Education Requirements
For an Administrator Certificate with a School Principal (K-12) Endorsement:
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completion of a state-approved program (at an accredited college/university) of at least 30 semester credit hours (or 45 quarter credit hours) of graduate study in school administration intended to prepare school principals. The following competencies of the Idaho Foundation Standards for School Administrators must be included in the program:
- Visionary and Strategic Planning
- Management and Organizational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Professional and Ethical Leadership
- Governance and Legal Leadership
- Family and Community Partnerships
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Idaho.
For an Administrator Certificate with a Superintendent Endorsement (Pre K-12):
- Education specialist, doctorate degree or completion of a post-master’s sixth year program from an accredited college/university
- Completion of a state-approved program (at an accredited college/university) of at least 30 semester credit hours (or 45 quarter credit hours) of post-master’s degree graduate study intended to prepare school superintendents. The program must be in school administration and interdisciplinary supporting areas and must include the competencies in Superintendent Leadership (in addition to the above competencies in the Idaho Foundation Standards for School Administrators)
- You must also receive an institutional recommendation from the college/university where you completed the program
Examinations
There are no special examination requirements for the Administrator Certificate.
Experience Requirements
For an Administrator Certificate with a School Principal (K-12) Endorsement:
You must complete an administrative internship during your state-approved college program, or have one year of experience as an administrator in grades K-12.
For an Administrator Certificate with a Superintendent Endorsement (Pre K-12):
You must complete an administrative internship during your state-approved college program, or have one year of out-of-state experience as an assistant superintendent or superintendent in Grades Pre K-12 while holding that state’s administrative certificate.
Document and Application Requirements
Use the Application for an Idaho Certificate/Credential form to apply for an Administrator Certificate. You must send official college transcripts, institutional recommendations (if required) and a completed fingerprint card (see below) along with your application fees. Mail everything to: State Department of Education, Teacher Certification, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0027.
Criminal History Background Check
If you have not submitted to one before as an employee of Idaho’s educational system, as an applicant for Idaho administrator certification, you must submit to a criminal history background check. Call the State Department of Education at 208-332-6888 or 208-332-6883 and ask for a fingerprint card. You will also be given instructions on how to begin the background check process through the Idaho Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Statewide Sex Offender Register.
Your fingerprint card must be submitted with your application for Idaho administrator certification. You will not receive an administrator certificate until the results of your background check are received by the State Department of Education.
Contact Information
Contact schools in Idaho offering administrator preparation programs for more information on their programs.
For more information on administrator certification in Idaho, contact the Idaho State Department of Education Teacher Certification (208-332-6882), or visit their website.
