Louisiana Principal Certification Requirements
Louisiana certifies school leaders through a tiered Educational Leader (EDL) credential rather than a single license. An EDL1 certificate is the state credential required for eligibility for assistant principal, principal, and comparable school-level leadership roles, while an EDL3 is required for superintendent and assistant superintendent positions. Each tier requires a valid Louisiana teaching certificate, qualifying experience, and a passing score on the leadership exam currently required for that pathway. Requirements vary by pathway, so verify current details on the Louisiana Educator Portal.
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Louisiana doesn’t issue a single “principal license.” Instead, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) uses an Educational Leader (EDL) tier system, EDL1, EDL2, and EDL3, that governs the state credential required for eligibility for assistant principal roles up through the superintendent’s office. This page assumes you already hold a valid Louisiana teaching certificate. Each tier has its own prerequisites, and candidates typically advance from one tier to the next as they gain leadership experience rather than jumping straight to a higher-level credential. Holding the state credential is a prerequisite for these roles, not a guarantee of employment, which remains subject to district hiring decisions.
Use the links below to jump to principal-level requirements, superintendent-level requirements, exam details, and background check rules.
- EDL1: Principal and School-Level Leadership Requirements
- EDL3: Superintendent Requirements
- Comparing the EDL Tiers
- Exams for Louisiana School Leaders
- Criminal History Background Check
EDL1: Principal and School-Level Leadership Requirements
The Educational Leader Level 1 (EDL1) certificate is Louisiana’s entry-level leadership credential. It covers principals, assistant principals, and comparable positions such as parish or city supervisor of instruction and supervisor of special education. There are several routes to an EDL1, including a Master’s Path and multiple Alternate Pathways, so requirements differ depending on which route a candidate follows. Across the pathways, candidates generally need:
- A valid Louisiana teaching certificate, or an out-of-state certificate that qualifies under Louisiana certification requirements, plus qualifying classroom teaching experience
- A master’s degree in educational leadership, or a related graduate degree paired with documentation that the coursework aligns with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders
- Completion of any additional coursework or individualized leadership program required for the specific pathway chosen
- A passing score on the leadership assessment currently required for the applicant’s certification pathway, as approved by BESE/LDOE
Because the exact experience and coursework thresholds shift depending on the pathway, candidates should confirm the specific requirements for their situation through the Louisiana Educator Portal or the Teacher Certification Help Center before applying.
EDL3: Superintendent Requirements
The Educational Leader Level 3 (EDL3) certificate authorizes service as a superintendent or assistant superintendent. Unlike EDL1, which is available to new candidates through several entry pathways, EDL3 is an advancement credential. To become eligible, a candidate generally needs:
- A valid Educational Leader Level 2 (EDL2) certificate, or a comparable administrative or supervisory certification that predates the current EDL structure
- Several years of documented, effective experience as an assistant principal, principal, or higher-level school or district leader
- Any assessment currently required by BESE/LDOE for EDL3 certification
Candidates generally become eligible to advance from EDL1 to EDL2 after meeting the experience and effectiveness requirements established by LDOE, then from EDL2 to EDL3 once they meet the superintendent-track experience and exam requirements. Because advancement depends on LDOE’s current experience and evaluation standards, timelines vary by district and individual record, so confirm the current requirements with LDOE rather than relying on any specific year count.
Comparing the EDL Tiers
| Certificate | Who It’s For | Typical Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|
| EDL1 | Assistant principals, principals, and comparable school or district leadership roles | Valid teaching certificate, qualifying teaching experience, and a leadership degree or approved alternate pathway |
| EDL2 | Leaders advancing beyond entry-level EDL1 roles | Valid EDL1 plus documented years of effective leadership evaluation |
| EDL3 | Superintendents and assistant superintendents | Valid EDL2 plus qualifying leadership experience and a passing superintendent exam score |
Exams for Louisiana School Leaders
Louisiana’s school leadership exams depend on which certificate a candidate is pursuing. Depending on the certification pathway and current LDOE requirements, EDL1 candidates may be required to complete the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), the Louisiana Leadership Assessment Series (LLAS), or another assessment approved by BESE. For EDL3, candidates complete any assessment currently required by BESE/LDOE for that certificate. BESE sets the required passing score for each exam, and those scores can change, so confirm the current exam and cut score directly with LDOE or your exam registration materials before test day.
Criminal History Background Check
Before working in an administrative role in a Louisiana school district, candidates must clear both a state and a national criminal history background check, run through the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Districts handle fingerprinting logistics directly, and candidates must satisfy the criminal history background check requirements established by state law and the employing school district before beginning employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an EDL1 and an EDL3 certificate in Louisiana?
EDL1 is the entry-level leadership certificate covering principals, assistant principals, and similar school-level roles. EDL3 authorizes superintendent and assistant superintendent positions and requires a valid EDL2 first, along with additional leadership experience and a passing superintendent exam score.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a principal in Louisiana?
Most EDL1 pathways require a master’s degree in educational leadership or a related graduate degree with documentation that it aligns with the state’s leadership standards. Some alternate pathways accept other graduate credentials, so check the specific pathway requirements through the Louisiana Educator Portal.
What exam do Louisiana principals have to pass?
Depending on the certification pathway and current LDOE requirements, EDL1 candidates may be required to complete the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), the Louisiana Leadership Assessment Series (LLAS), or another assessment approved by BESE.
Can I become a superintendent in Louisiana without first being a principal?
Superintendent certification (EDL3) requires a valid EDL2 certificate, which itself builds on EDL1 leadership experience. In practice, this means most superintendents have worked through school-level leadership roles first, though the specific experience path depends on the candidate’s background.
Where do I apply for Louisiana administrator certification?
Applications for EDL1, EDL2, and EDL3 certificates are submitted through the Louisiana Educator Portal. LDOE’s Teacher Certification Help Center can answer pathway-specific questions before you apply.
- Louisiana uses a tiered EDL system, not a single license — EDL1 covers principals and assistant principals, while EDL3 is required for superintendents.
- Multiple pathways lead to EDL1 — a Master’s Path and several Alternate Pathways exist, so exact coursework and experience requirements depend on which route a candidate follows.
- Advancement is experience-based — moving from EDL1 to EDL2 to EDL3 depends on documented years of effective leadership evaluation, not just additional coursework.
- Exams differ by tier and pathway — EDL1 candidates may take the SLLA, LLAS, or another BESE-approved assessment, while EDL3 candidates complete whichever assessment BESE/LDOE currently requires for that certificate.
- Applications go through the Louisiana Educator Portal — this replaced the old paper application process for administrator certificates.
Find accredited educational leadership programs in Louisiana, including graduate degree options that align with EDL1 certification pathways.
