Nebraska Administration/Principal Certification
Nebraska principal certification requires a Standard Administrative Certificate, valid for five years and covering both principal and superintendent roles. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and a master’s degree administrative program of at least 36 graduate semester hours, plus a passing Praxis score and two years of teaching experience.
Sponsored School(s)
Nebraska principal certification and superintendent certification both run through the Standard Administrative Certificate, valid for five years, provided you complete the endorsement requirements for each role separately. The Nebraska Department of Education’s administrative certificate overview lays out the full range of certificate types; below are the specific education, examination, and experience requirements for principal and superintendent endorsements. Once you’re certified, you can also compare Nebraska teaching salaries and benefits to see how administrative roles factor into overall compensation.
Education Requirements
Principal
- Prior completion of a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program (which also implies completion of the state’s human relations course requirement and special education course requirement)
- Completion of a state-approved master’s degree administrative preparation program in educational administration. The program must total at least 36 graduate semester hours if the principal endorsement is sought at the same grade level as your existing teaching endorsement, or at least 45 graduate semester hours if you’re adding a principal endorsement at a different grade level
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Nebraska.
Superintendent
- Prior completion of a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program (which also implies completion of the state’s human relations course requirement and special education course requirement)
- Completion of a state-approved specialist or doctoral degree administrative preparation program, or a master’s program, totaling at least 60 graduate semester hours in educational administration or educational leadership
Haven’t Finished Your Program Yet?
Nebraska offers a Provisional Administrative Certificate for candidates who are still completing their administrative preparation program. You may qualify for this renewable, one-year certificate if you’ve completed at least 50% of an approved program for the principal (or special education supervisor) endorsement, or at least 75% of an approved program for the superintendent endorsement. This lets you serve in an administrative role while you finish your remaining coursework.
Examinations
Nebraska requires a passing score on the Praxis content test tied to the specific administrative endorsement you’re pursuing before that endorsement can be placed on your certificate. Check the current Nebraska Department of Education testing requirements for the exact Praxis test code and passing score tied to your endorsement area, since these can be updated by the state Board of Education.
Experience Requirements
Principal
- Must have a valid Nebraska teaching certificate and two years of teaching experience (if you’re a teacher moving to Nebraska from another state, you’ll need to establish Nebraska teaching certification first)
- Must complete an internship of 250 clock hours in an administrative capacity in elementary, middle, or secondary schools
Superintendent
- Must have a valid Nebraska teaching or administrative certificate and two years of teaching experience
- Must complete a one-semester practicum in an administrative capacity in an approved school system
How to Apply
Nebraska processes administrative certificate applications through the TEACH online system. You’ll need to register for a TEACH account before you can submit your application. Along with your application, submit:
- Institutional Verification forms for both your teaching program and administrative program
- Verification of Employment Experience form
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
Praxis test scores are typically transmitted electronically to the Nebraska Department of Education by the testing service, so you generally won’t need to submit a separate paper score report unless NDE specifically asks for one. Submit your supporting documents, along with the applicable application fee, through your TEACH account.
Criminal History Background Check
Since eligibility for the administrative certificate means you already hold a Nebraska teaching certificate, which required you to clear a state and federal background check, you typically won’t need to submit to another criminal history background check when pursuing a Standard Administrative Certificate. Confirm current background-check requirements with the Nebraska Department of Education, since policies can change.
Contact Information
For information on colleges and universities in Nebraska offering administrative preparation programs, contact their certification officers. For information on administrative certification in Nebraska, call the certification division of the Nebraska Department of Education at 402-471-2295.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Nebraska administrative certificate valid?
The Standard Administrative Certificate is valid for five years from the date of issuance or renewal. You’ll need to meet Nebraska’s renewal requirements before it expires to continue serving in an administrative role.
Can I get certified as a principal before finishing my administrative program?
Yes. Nebraska’s Provisional Administrative Certificate lets candidates who’ve completed at least 50% of an approved principal preparation program serve in an administrative role for a renewable one-year term while they finish the remaining coursework.
Does one Nebraska certificate cover both principal and superintendent roles?
The Standard Administrative Certificate can carry endorsements for both roles, but you need to separately meet the education and experience requirements for each endorsement. A principal endorsement and a superintendent endorsement aren’t interchangeable just because they’re on the same certificate.
How many graduate hours does a Nebraska principal endorsement require?
You need at least 36 graduate semester hours in an approved educational administration program if the principal endorsement matches your existing teaching endorsement’s grade level. If you’re adding a principal endorsement at a different grade level, Nebraska requires at least 45 graduate semester hours.
Do I need to pass an exam for Nebraska administrative certification?
Yes. Nebraska requires a passing score on the Praxis content test tied to your specific administrative endorsement before that endorsement can be added to your certificate. Confirm the current test code and passing score with the Nebraska Department of Education, since testing requirements are set by the state Board of Education and can change.
- One certificate, two possible endorsements — the Standard Administrative Certificate covers principal and superintendent roles, but each endorsement has its own education and experience requirements.
- Graduate hours depend on grade-level match — 36 hours if your principal endorsement matches your teaching endorsement’s level, 45 hours if it doesn’t.
- A provisional path exists — candidates who’ve completed 50% (principal) or 75% (superintendent) of their program can work under a renewable one-year Provisional Administrative Certificate.
- Applications run through TEACH — Nebraska’s online system handles administrative certificate applications, transcripts, and verification forms.
Find accredited educational administration degree programs in Nebraska that meet the state’s principal and superintendent certification requirements.
