If you wish to serve in an administrative capacity in an Illinois school system, you must receive an Administrative Certificate. The General Administrative Endorsement is required if you plan to work as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent or associate superintendent. The Superintendent endorsement is required if you plan to work as a school superintendent.
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Illinois.
For both the General Administrative Endorsement and the Superintendent Endorsement, it is expected that you will have already passed the ICTS Basic Skills Exam in reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing and grammar. You must also pass the applicable ICTS Content Exam for the endorsement you seek (i.e., Principal or Superintendent).
While the Illinois Department of Education does not require a criminal history background check for administrative certification, you must undergo one after you are hired into an administrative position in an Illinois school system. However, if you answer “yes” to certain questions on the administrative certification application form, processing of your application may be delayed while these claims are examined. If you have been convicted of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, certain narcotics and sex offenses, or a Class X felony, you will not be able to obtain an administrative certificate. Additional information 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.
For information on Illinois-approved administrator preparation programs, click here.
For more information on Illinois administrative certification, call the Certification Division at 217-557-6763.