Texas Principal and Superintendent Certification
Texas principal certification requires a valid teaching certificate, two years of classroom experience, a master’s degree, and completion of a TEA-approved principal preparation program. Candidates must also pass the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL). Superintendent certification builds on the principal credential and adds its own TExES exam and preparation program.
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The Texas Education Agency issues administrative certificates to teachers who want to move into a principal or superintendent role. Both credentials build on top of a standard Texas teaching certification rather than replacing it, and a superintendent certificate specifically builds on the principal certificate. The requirements differ mainly in degree focus, exam content, and whether prior administrative certification is required first.
Education Requirements
Both administrative certificates require graduate-level preparation beyond a teaching degree, but the two paths diverge on what has to come before the master’s coursework.
Principal
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completion of a TEA-approved principal preparation program, with an institutional recommendation from that program
Superintendent
- A master’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completion of a TEA-approved superintendent preparation program, with an institutional recommendation from that program
- A valid principal (or equivalent) certificate, or prior TEA approval to substitute qualifying managerial experience in lieu of a principal certificate
Certification Exams
Texas administrator candidates must pass a TExES exam specific to the certificate they’re pursuing, and principal candidates have a second assessment on top of that.
Principal
- The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam
- The Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL), a required performance assessment completed as part of your approved preparation program and submitted through the state’s required process
Superintendent
- The TExES Superintendent (195) exam
Exam fees and testing windows change from year to year, so confirm current pricing and scheduling directly on the TExES testing portal before you register.
Experience Requirements
Principal
- A valid classroom teaching certificate, kept current through Texas teacher certification renewal
- At least two years of classroom teaching experience
Superintendent
- A valid principal certificate at minimum, unless TEA has approved a managerial-experience substitution for that requirement
Application Process
Texas administrator candidates apply through the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). Along with the application itself, TEA’s Office of Educator Certification typically requires:
- Official transcripts showing your master’s degree and completion of the approved preparation program
- An institutional recommendation from your preparation program
- Exam score reports
- Application fees, which are set by TEA and subject to change
For current mailing addresses, fee amounts, and processing times, use the contact information on the TEA Office of Educator Certification page rather than an address found elsewhere, since these details change periodically.
Criminal History Background Check
Applicants for an administrative certificate must satisfy TEA’s fingerprint-based national criminal history review if one is required for the certificate and their existing fingerprint record does not already satisfy that requirement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts the review, and the applicant pays all associated fees.
The Texas Department of Public Safety accepts electronic fingerprint submissions through live scan technology via its Fingerprint Applicant Service of Texas (FAST) program. Check the Texas DPS website for current contact information and fee schedules for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a certified teacher before I can become a principal in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires a valid classroom teaching certificate and at least two years of teaching experience before you can pursue principal certification. The principal credential is added on top of your teaching certificate, not a replacement for it.
What exams do I need for Texas principal certification?
You’ll need to pass the TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam and complete the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) through your preparation program. Both are required before TEA will issue a standard principal certificate.
Can I become a superintendent in Texas without first getting a principal certificate?
Generally no. Texas requires a valid principal certificate before superintendent certification, though TEA can approve qualifying managerial experience as a substitute in certain cases. Check with a TEA-approved superintendent preparation program to see whether your background qualifies.
Does my master’s degree have to be in educational administration?
TEA requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution, but the specific major requirements depend on which preparation program you enroll in. Many preparation programs have their own admission requirements and may prefer certain graduate backgrounds, so check with your chosen program for its specific eligibility requirements.
How long does it take to become a certified principal in Texas?
Timelines vary by preparation program, but most candidates need one to two years to complete a master’s-level principal preparation program alongside the required field experience, on top of the two years of teaching experience already required to start.
- Principal certification builds on your teaching certificate. It doesn’t replace it, and Texas requires two years of classroom experience first.
- Two exams for principal certification. The TExES Principal as Instructional Leader (268) exam and the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) are both required.
- Superintendent certification builds on principal certification. A valid principal certificate (or an approved managerial-experience substitution) is required first.
- Apply through ECOS — TEA’s Educator Certification Online System handles administrator applications, transcripts, and exam score reporting.
Find accredited educational administration programs in Texas, including principal and superintendent preparation options that align with TEA certification requirements.
