Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Candidates Seeking Administrative Licensure
Which Institutions have approved administrator preparation programs?
Who is the contact person at each approved university administrator preparation program?
Is there an alternative route to administrative licensure if I have never earned a teaching degreee and never been a K-12 classroom teacher?
I am a speech clinician/school psychologist/social worker/school counselor. Is it possible to become a licensed administrator in Minnesota?
How many hours of field experience are necessary for an initial administrative license as a principal or superintendent?
How is my program of study for licensure determined?
How do I renew my current administrative license (superintendent, principal, or director)?
Who do I call or email if I have a question about my current license?
Out-of-State: I'm a licensed principal/superintendent/director of special education in another state. What do I need to do to become licensed in MN?
Out-of-State: Is it required for me to have teaching experience in order to be licensed as an administrator in Minnesota?
Which Institutions have approved administrator preparation programs?
View approved Minnesota administrator preparation programs.
Who is the contact person at each approved university administrator preparation program?
View approved administrator preparation programs and the primary contact person for each.
Is there an alternative route to administrative licensure if I have never earned a teaching degree and never been a K-12 classroom teacher?
- You must demonstrate you have experience and knowledge in curriculum, school organization, philosophy of education, early childhood, elementary, junior high, middle school, and senior high schools.
- Without 3 years of teaching experience, this is done through a teaching internship that includes 1,050 hours of classroom experiences for aspiring principal or superintendent candidates or 1,050 hours special education experience for aspiring director of special education candidates. The teaching internship needs to be under the supervision of a licensed practicing school administrator; including supervision provided by educators from an approved school administration program; and be based on a written agreement between the intern, the approved school administration preparation institution, and the school district in which the internship is completed.
Is there an alternative licensure process?
Only for superintendent candidates. An applicant for an Alternative Superintendent License shall demonstrate skills and competencies needed to perform the functions of a superintendent.
The Alternative Superintendent License is intended for applicants who do not meet the requirements for Superintendent Licensure as specified in part 3512.0200, but have “substantive” experience and education in, but not limited to; administration, supervision, management, and executive leadership, in either education, healthcare, business or industry, labor, or government.
The full process for earning an alternative license is defined in Administrative Rule 3512.0800.
You must also:
•Provide a written description of your qualifications.
•Provide official postsecondary transcripts for all coursework.
•Construct a portfolio showing how you have met the core and superintendent
leadership competencies.
•Provide a professional resume with letters of recommendation and portfolio examples.
•Meet with a BOSA review panel, which will make a decision to grant or not grant a
license.
•The BOSA review panel may identify a plan of activities to remediate identified areas.
The application packet must be emailed to the BOSA Executive Director.
I am a speech clinician/school psychologist/social worker/school counselor. Is it possible to become a licensed administrator in Minnesota?
Yes. You can become a licensed K-12 principal, superintendent, or director of special education. To do so, you must:
- Meet the degree requirement of a master’s plus 30 credits or 60 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree in an approved university administrative preparation program.
- Demonstrate appropriate teaching knowledge and skills through a portfolio or other appropriate presentation as determined by an approved university administration preparation program, and complete a one-year teaching internship of 1050 hours, including eight weeks of supervised teaching, within 12 months under the supervision of an approved university administration preparation program.
To meet this requirement and to establish a program of study, contact an approved university administrator preparation program. View a list of all approved university programs.
How many hours of field experience are necessary for an initial administrative license as a principal or superintendent?
K-12 Principals: Field experience in three different settings, elementary, middle, and high school, with a minimum of 200 hours at one level, a minimum of 40 hours at each of the other two levels, and 40 "flex hours."
Superintendents: Field experience in two different settings, with up to 280 hours in the primary setting and a minimum of 40 hours in a second setting. Each field experience must be supervised by an administrator who is licensed as a superintendent.
How is my program of study for licensure determined?
If you are entering an administrator licensure program of study for the first time, you will meet with an advisor or program coordinator to write a program plan. This plan will outline the required coursework and field experience needed to meet licensure. The program plan may also outline requirements for a degree.
If you already hold one or more graduate degrees, you will meet with an advisor or program coordinator to write a program plan that meets licensure requirements.View a list of all approved university programs.
How do I renew my current administrative license (superintendent, principal, or director)?
To renew your current two-year license, you must:
- Submit the form provided at the end of the online renewal application to verify you have completed one year of administrative experience while holding a valid two-year administrative license, to qualify for a five-year continuing license.
- If no administrative experience has been earned, consecutive two-year licenses will be granted.
- Submit the online application and, if appropriate, mail the verification of experience and document checklist to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)
Who do I call or email if I have a question about my current license?
Call: Dr. Tony Kinkel, Executive Director Ph: 651-582-8236
Email: Anthony.Kinkel@state.mn.us
Out-of-State: I'm a licensed principal/superintendent/director of special education in another state. What do I need to do to become licensed in Minnesota?
If you hold a license in another state, you may be issued a two-year provisional license in Minnesota upon application. To complete the application process, you must:
- Submit an application through the PELSB
- Follow all instructions given and submit all materials as indicated on the checklist at the end of the application process.
- Include a copy of your most recent out-of-state license.
In order to be issued a five-year continuing license after two years, you must complete at least one year of experience in the role for which you seek Minnesota licensure. Plus, your total program of studies must show that you have earned at least 30 semester credits beyond the master’s degree or 60 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. If you need more graduate credits, you must enroll in an approved Minnesota university licensure program. View a list of all approved university programs.
Out-of-State: Is it required for me to have teaching experience in order to be licensed as an administrator in Minnesota?
Yes. If you were issued an administrator license in another state without ever holding a valid teaching license, you can become a licensed administrator in Minnesota by:
- Demonstrating appropriate teaching knowledge and skills through a portfolio or other appropriate presentation as determined by the approved university administration preparation program.
- Completing a teaching internship of 1050 hours, including eight weeks of supervised teaching, within 12 months under the supervision of an approved school administration program.
View a list of all approved university programs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Administrative Licensure Program Approval Process
How do I apply for approval to offer one or more administrative licensure programs?
What is the minimum educational requirement for licensure?
What is the “situational observation component?”
What can be considered “classroom experiences” for individuals seeking superintendent, K-12 principal, or special education licensure and who have no teaching experience?
Who can serve as a field experience supervisor for administrative licensure?
How do I apply for approval to offer one or more administrative licensure programs?
First, download the Administrative Licensure Program Approval Process document by clicking on the “Downloads” link in the top navigation bar or click here to go there now. The application document takes you step-by-step through the application and approval process.
What is the minimum educational requirement for licensure?
A candidate for licensure as a K-12 principal, superintendent, and director of special education must have earned at least a master’s degree plus enough credits to total 60 beyond the bachelor’s degree. For example if 35 credits were earned in the master’s degree, then a minimum of 25 credits are required to total 60. An earned Educational Specialist or Doctoral degree will also meet the educational requirements. A candidate for director of community education must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete an approved Minnesota preparation program of at least 20 semester credits.
What is the “situational observation component?”
The situational observation component is essentially an exit evaluation of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions (competencies) as listed in the Minnesota Administrative Rules. This exit evaluation may contain one or more of the following:
- Objective examinations.
- Portfolio reviews by a panel.
- Onsite observations.
What can be considered “classroom experiences” for individuals seeking superintendent, K-12 principal, or special education licensure and who have no teaching experience?
Individuals must gain experience and knowledge in curriculum, school organization, philosophy of education, and early childhood education at the elementary, junior high, middle school, and senior high school levels. Below are just a few possible ways an individual can gain such experiences over their required minimum of 1,050 hours of engagement:
- Planning, teaching, and evaluating a unit during at least eight weeks of supervised teaching.
- Engaging in district and school professional development.
- Engaging in district and school curricular and or assessment planning.
According to Minnesota Rule 3512. 0700, Subpart 4, the teaching internship must:
- Include one school year with a minimum of 1,050 hours of classroom experiences
- Be under the supervision of a licensed practicing school administrator.
- Include supervision provided by educators from an approved school administration program.
- Be based on a written agreement between the intern, the approved school administration preparation institution, and the school district in which the internship is completed.
Who can serve as a field experience supervisor for administrative licensure?
Only a licensed, practicing administrator may supervise a field experience in the area for which the supervisor is licensed.