Alabama Principal Certification Requirements
Alabama principal certification requires completing a state-approved Class A program (typically a master’s) or Class AA program (typically a sixth-year or EdS credential), plus three years of educational work experience including one year of classroom teaching. Applicants must also meet Alabama’s current certification exam requirements. Out-of-state administrators may qualify through reciprocity instead of completing a new Alabama program.
Every principal and administrator in an Alabama public school holds one of two Professional Leadership Certificates: Class A or Class AA. Both sit on top of your existing teaching certificate, and both require a graduate degree beyond the bachelor’s you already earned to become a classroom teacher.
There are two main avenues to earning either credential. The first is completing a state-approved educational leadership program through an Alabama college or university. The second is Alabama teacher reciprocity, where an out-of-state administrator certificate can transfer to Alabama under an agreement between states. This page covers the state-approved program path in detail.
Use the links below to jump to Alabama principal certification requirements, exam information, background checks, and application deadlines.
- Education requirements for Class A and Class AA certification
- Experience and practicum requirements
- Certification exams for Alabama school leaders
- Criminal history background check
- Application deadlines and certificate renewal
- Getting help with your application
Education Requirements for Class A and Class AA Certification
Alabama ties each certification tier to completion of a state-approved educational leadership program, not simply to holding a degree. Completion of a state-approved Class A educational leadership program, typically leading to a master’s degree, is required for Class A certification. Completion of a state-approved Class AA educational leadership program, typically an educational specialist (EdS) or sixth-year program, qualifies you for the higher Class AA tier. Both tiers cover the same certification areas, from building-level principal to career and technical education administrator, but Class AA typically opens doors to higher-level district roles.
Exact compensation depends on the county where you’re hired, not the certification tier alone, so confirm current pay scales with the district you’re targeting rather than assuming a fixed number.
| Certification Area | Grade Level | Class A | Class AA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administrator | P-12 | Master’s degree | Sixth-year program |
| Principal | P-6 | Master’s degree | Sixth-year program |
| Principal | 7-12 | Master’s degree | Sixth-year program |
| Career & Tech Ed. Admin. | 6-12 | Master’s degree | Sixth-year program |
For program specifics, contact schools offering certification programs in Alabama. The certification officer at your program will walk you through the application and recommend you for certification to the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), Office of Certification.
Experience and Practicum Requirements
Alabama requires three years of full-time professional educational work experience in a P-12 school system before you can be certified as a principal or administrator, and at least one of those years must be full-time classroom teaching. This is why the traditional path assumes you’re already a working teacher, not a new graduate moving straight into administration.
Alongside coursework, your educational leadership program includes a supervised practicum, sometimes structured as a multi-day residency in a school district. Your program’s certification officer coordinates the placement and confirms it meets Alabama’s requirements. Contact schools offering certification programs in Alabama to learn how a specific program structures its practicum.
Certification Exams for Alabama School Leaders
Alabama requires applicants to meet the current assessment requirements established by ALSDE. The specific exam or exams required for a Professional Leadership Certificate can change, so applicants should verify current requirements through their program’s certification officer before registering.
Criminal History Background Check
Applicants must complete the fingerprint-based criminal history background check required by ALSDE, which includes state and FBI records checks. Fees apply to the fingerprinting service itself.
Third-party fingerprinting locations typically include your local police department, along with additional sites your program’s certification officer can point you to.
Application Deadlines and Certificate Renewal
You have 60 calendar months from the date you complete your professional leadership education program to submit your certification application. If your application arrives incomplete, you get 12 calendar months from the date of the Office of Certification’s notice to submit the missing materials. Miss that window, and you’ll need to reapply and pay the processing fee again.
Once certified, Alabama’s Professional Leadership Certificate isn’t permanent. Renewal requirements are established by ALSDE and should be verified against the current renewal rules in effect when your certificate is due for renewal. If you’re also researching how to keep a standard Alabama teaching certificate current, see our guide to Alabama teacher certification renewal.
Getting Help With Your Application
Your program’s certification officer is the first point of contact for most questions about the application process, testing requirements, and deadlines. For state-level questions, ALSDE’s Office of Certification manages certification through the Alabama Achieves certification portal, which includes current testing information and certification help resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Class A and Class AA principal certification in Alabama?
Class A certification requires completing a state-approved program that typically leads to a master’s degree, while Class AA requires completing a state-approved program that typically leads to a sixth-year or EdS credential beyond the master’s. Both cover the same certification areas, including P-6 principal, 7-12 principal, and career and technical education administrator, but Class AA is tied to the higher graduate credential.
Do I need classroom teaching experience before pursuing Alabama principal certification?
Yes. Alabama requires three years of full-time professional educational work experience in a P-12 school system, and at least one of those years must be full-time classroom teaching. This is separate from the practicum built into your leadership program.
Can out-of-state administrators get certified in Alabama through reciprocity?
Yes. Reciprocity is the second main path to Alabama principal certification, alongside completing a state-approved program. Contact ALSDE’s Office of Certification directly to confirm how your current out-of-state credential lines up with Alabama’s certification requirements.
What exams do I need to pass for Alabama principal certification?
Alabama requires applicants to meet the current assessment requirements established by ALSDE. The specific exam or exams required for a Professional Leadership Certificate can change, so confirm current requirements with your program’s certification officer before registering.
How long do I have to apply after finishing my certification program?
You have 60 calendar months from the date you complete your professional leadership education program to submit your application. If your application is incomplete, you get an additional 12 calendar months from the notice date to submit the missing materials before you’d need to reapply.
- Two certification tiers, two approved programs — Class A requires a state-approved program that typically leads to a master’s degree, Class AA requires a state-approved program that typically leads to a sixth-year or EdS credential, and both sit on top of your existing teaching certificate.
- Classroom experience is mandatory — three years of full-time educational work experience, including at least one year of classroom teaching, is required before certification.
- Reciprocity is a real second path — out-of-state administrators don’t automatically need to restart a full Alabama program.
- Application deadlines are strict — 60 calendar months to apply after program completion, with a 12-month window to fix an incomplete application.
Explore graduate programs in educational administration and leadership that meet Alabama’s Class A and Class AA certification requirements.
