Ohio Administration/Principal Certification
Ohio principal certification requires a master’s degree, an approved preparation program, two years of teaching experience, and a passing score on the state’s OAE 015 Educational Leadership exam. Superintendent licensure adds three years of experience as a principal or administrative specialist. Alternative and interim pathways exist for candidates who don’t fit the standard timeline.
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Ohio splits school leadership licensure into two separate credentials, a principal license and a superintendent license, and both are issued by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). 
Principal licenses cover three grade bands: PK-6, 4-9, and 5-12. Superintendents are licensed to supervise the full PK-12 range. If you’re already teaching in Ohio and thinking about moving from the classroom into administration, the requirements below cover both the traditional path and the alternative routes ODEW added for candidates who don’t fit the standard timeline.
Principal License Requirements in Ohio
Education and Program Requirements
You need a master’s degree from an accredited university, plus completion of a state-approved principal preparation program. Ohio’s Education Program Finder, maintained by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, lists every Chancellor-approved program that leads to Ohio licensure. The dean or head of teacher education at your program has to recommend you for licensure before you can apply.
Teaching Experience Requirements
You need two years of successful teaching experience under a standard or professional teaching license, in the same grade levels you want your principal license to cover. ODEW breaks this down by license type: an Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, or Intervention Specialist license qualifies you for the PK-6 grade band, while Adolescence to Young Adult or Career-Technical licenses map to the 4-9 or 5-12 bands depending on your specific credential.
Superintendent License Requirements in Ohio
Superintendent licensure follows the same education path as principal licensure: a master’s degree, an approved preparation program, and a passing score on the OAE 015 exam. The difference is on the experience side. You need three years of successful experience as a principal or administrative specialist while holding the respective license, rather than teaching experience alone. That’s meant to ensure superintendents have already run a building before they’re responsible for a district.
The OAE 015 Educational Leadership Exam
Both principal and superintendent candidates take the same test: the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) 015 Educational Leadership exam, administered by Pearson through oh.nesinc.com. As of 2026, the exam runs 70 multiple-choice questions plus written assignments, with a 220 passing score on a 100-300 scale. Confirm the current format and registration details on the OAE testing site before you sign up, since testing vendors periodically update exam structure.
Alternative and Interim Principal License Pathways
Not every candidate follows the traditional master’s-degree-then-exam sequence. Ohio’s Alternative Principal License pathway exists for candidates who need a different route into the role, and the Interim Principal License covers educators stepping into a building-leader role on a short-term basis. There’s also a narrower option for principals who already hold a professional license but need to add a grade band: a 1-Year Alternative Principal license lets you serve that grade band for a full school year under mentorship, then apply to add it to your standard license.
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact additional schools offering educational administration degree programs in Ohio.
How to Apply for an Ohio Principal or Superintendent License
Ohio licensure applications go through CORE, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s (ODEW) online Educator Licensure and Records system, not a mailed paper packet. You’ll need an OHID account to access it. Once you’re in, select the credential you’re applying for (Professional Principal License or the superintendent equivalent), indicate whether you completed an Ohio or out-of-state preparation program, and submit your application from your CORE dashboard along with your transcripts and OAE 015 score report.
Background Check Requirements
Every applicant needs a current BCI (Ohio) and FBI criminal background check on file before a principal or superintendent license is issued. Both checks run through the standard state and federal fingerprinting process rather than a mailed paperwork packet. Background check procedures and renewal timelines are set by ODEW and can change, so confirm the current process and any renewal requirements directly with ODEW’s Office of Educator Licensure before you apply or renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to be a teacher before becoming a principal in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio requires two years of successful teaching experience under a standard or professional teaching license before you can hold a principal license, in addition to the master’s degree and preparation program.
Is the Praxis exam required for Ohio principal certification?
No. Ohio principal and superintendent candidates take the OAE 015 Educational Leadership exam instead, administered by Pearson through the Ohio Assessments for Educators program. Praxis is used by other states, not Ohio’s licensure system.
How long does it take to become a principal in Ohio?
Most traditional preparation programs run one to two years beyond your bachelor’s degree, on top of the two years of teaching experience you need before you’re eligible to apply. Candidates using the alternative or interim pathways can move faster, since those routes are built for educators already working in a leadership capacity.
Can I become a principal in Ohio without a master’s degree?
No. Both the traditional and alternative pathways to Ohio principal licensure require a master’s degree from an accredited university. The pathways differ mainly in how the preparation program and experience requirements are sequenced.
Who do I contact about an Ohio principal or superintendent license?
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s (ODEW) Office of Educator Licensure handles principal and superintendent licensure questions. Check the ODEW website for current phone and email contact details, since licensure administration has shifted between state agencies in recent years.
- The OAE 015 exam replaced Praxis II for Ohio administrators — both principal and superintendent candidates now take the Ohio Assessment for Educators Educational Leadership exam, not Praxis.
- Principal and superintendent are separate licenses with different experience rules — principals need two years of teaching experience, while superintendents need three years as a principal or administrative specialist.
- Alternative and interim pathways exist — candidates who don’t fit the traditional master’s-then-exam sequence have ODEW-approved options for entering school leadership.
- Applications go through CORE, not the mail — Ohio moved licensure applications online through ODEW’s CORE system, which requires an OHID account.
Find accredited educational leadership and principal licensure programs in Ohio, including approved preparation programs and application requirements for your certification path.
