Oklahoma Administration/Principal Certification
Oklahoma issues a Standard Administrator Certificate for both principal and superintendent roles through the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Principal candidates need a master’s degree, a state-approved building-level leadership program, two years of teaching experience, and a passing OSAT score. Superintendent candidates add district-level leadership coursework and administrative experience requirements.
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Oklahoma teachers who want to move into administration have one credential to earn: the Standard Administrator Certificate, issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) with program oversight from the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA). The certificate covers two separate roles, principal and superintendent, and the requirements differ for each. Oklahoma also offers two routes to get there, Traditional Administrator Certification and Alternative Administrator Certification, depending on whether you complete a graduate program before stepping into the role or finish your preparation while already working in an administrative capacity.
Use the links below to jump to Oklahoma’s certification pathways, education and exam requirements, experience rules, and the application process.
- Oklahoma’s two administrator certification pathways
- Education requirements for principals and superintendents
- Required OSAT certification exams
- Teaching and administrative experience requirements
- How to apply for your Standard Administrator Certificate
Oklahoma’s Two Paths to Administrator Certification
Oklahoma certifies school administrators through two options. Traditional Administrator Certification is built around a state-approved graduate program, typically a master’s degree with an emphasis in education administration, completed before you take on the role. Alternative Administrator Certification lets qualified candidates begin serving in an administrative capacity while finishing an approved preparation program within a set timeframe. Which pathway fits depends on your current degree, your work history, and whether you’re already employed in an administrative or supervisory role.
Education Requirements for Principal and Superintendent Certification
Principal
You need a master’s degree and completion of a state-approved building-level leadership skills program in education administration.
Superintendent
Oklahoma allows superintendent certification either by already holding Principal certification, or by completing the required Oklahoma-approved building-level and district-level leadership preparation, including a master’s degree, that meets OSDE requirements.
| Requirement | Principal | Superintendent |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree + building-level leadership program | Master’s degree + building-level program, plus district-level leadership program |
| Certification Exam | Principal Comprehensive Assessment (144) | Superintendent Assessment (248) |
| Experience | 2 years teaching under a Standard Certificate | 2 years administrative experience under a Standard Certificate |
Required OSAT Certification Exams
Principal candidates take the Principal Comprehensive Assessment (144), and superintendent candidates take the Superintendent Assessment (248). Both are Oklahoma Subject Area Tests (OSAT) administered through the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE) program, which OEQA oversees.
Teaching and Administrative Experience Requirements
Principal candidates need at least two years of teaching experience in an accredited Oklahoma public or private school (or another appropriately accredited school when permitted under Oklahoma rules) under a Standard Certificate. Superintendent candidates need two years of administrative experience in an accredited Oklahoma public or private school (or another appropriately accredited school when permitted under Oklahoma rules) under a Standard Certificate.
Alternative pathway note: Two years of relevant work experience in an administrative or supervisory capacity may be substituted for the school administrative experience if you’re seeking alternative certification and plan to complete an alternative administrator preparation program within three years.
How to Apply for Your Standard Administrator Certificate
Once you’ve met the education, exam, and experience requirements above, you’ll apply through the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System (OECS) using your Single Sign-On (SSO) account and pay the application fee online. Official college transcripts showing your degree and completion of the correct administrator preparation program typically need to come directly from your university.
If your existing teaching certificate is close to its renewal date, check Oklahoma’s teacher certification renewal requirements before you submit your administrator application, since a lapsed certificate can complicate the process.
Criminal History Background Check
If you already hold an Oklahoma standard teaching certificate, which is a prerequisite for Principal or Superintendent certification, in most cases you’ve already completed the required criminal history background check. Applicants should always follow current OSDE application instructions, since procedures can change.
Contact and Current Application Details
Application steps, fees, and mailing details change from year to year. For the current process and to confirm document requirements, use the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s teacher certification portal, which includes SSO login, a live chat/text option, and current contact information for the Office of Teacher Certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Standard Administrator Certificate in Oklahoma?
It’s the credential the Oklahoma State Department of Education issues to qualified applicants for the Principal and Superintendent titles. It covers two separate roles with separate education, exam, and experience requirements, though a Superintendent certificate can build on an existing Principal certificate.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a principal in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma requires a master’s degree along with completion of a state-approved building-level leadership skills program in education administration before you can earn Principal certification.
What’s the difference between Traditional and Alternative Administrator Certification in Oklahoma?
Traditional certification means completing your state-approved leadership program before moving into the role. Alternative certification lets you begin serving in an administrative capacity while you finish an approved preparation program within a set timeframe, with relevant work experience sometimes substituting for the standard experience requirement.
Which exam do I need to pass for Oklahoma principal certification?
You’ll need a passing score on the Principal Comprehensive Assessment (144), one of Oklahoma’s OSAT exams administered through the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators (CEOE) program.
Do I need a separate background check for administrator certification if I already have an Oklahoma teaching certificate?
In most cases, no. Educators who already hold the required Oklahoma teaching certificate have typically already completed the criminal history background check, although applicants should always follow current OSDE application instructions to confirm requirements haven’t changed.
- One certificate, two roles — the Standard Administrator Certificate covers both Principal and Superintendent titles, each with its own education, exam, and experience requirements.
- Two certification pathways — Traditional Administrator Certification requires finishing your leadership program first, while Alternative Administrator Certification lets you serve while completing it.
- OSAT exams are role-specific — principal candidates and superintendent candidates each take a different OSAT exam through the CEOE program.
- Your background check likely already happened — if you hold an Oklahoma teaching certificate, you’ve typically already cleared it, but confirm current requirements with OSDE since procedures can change.
Find graduate degree programs in educational leadership and administration that align with Oklahoma’s Principal and Superintendent certification requirements.
