Delaware Administration/Principal Certification
Delaware principal certification requires a master’s or doctoral degree in educational leadership, four years of certified teaching experience, and a passing Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment score, plus a separate Delaware educator License. Assistant principals face the same requirements. Superintendents need a doctoral-track program, five years of combined experience, and a passing School Superintendent Assessment score.
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Delaware issues two separate Administrator Certificates covering school leadership roles: one for School Principals and Assistant Principals, and one for School District Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents. Both require a graduate degree, a minimum number of years of classroom experience, and a passing score on the relevant Praxis School Leadership assessment. Getting the credential also means clearing a separate step most candidates overlook: holding a valid Delaware educator License before the Certificate can be issued. This guide walks through Delaware principal certification requirements alongside the separate superintendent path, covering the license, experience, and testing you’ll need for each.
Use the links below to jump to license basics, certification requirements for each administrator role, the application process, and background check requirements.
- How Delaware’s license and certificate system works
- Principal and assistant principal certification requirements
- Superintendent and assistant superintendent certification requirements
- How to apply for Delaware administrator certification
- Criminal history and background check requirements
How Delaware’s License and Certificate System Works
Delaware treats licensure and certification as two separate credentials, and you need both before you can work as a school leader. The License authorizes you to work in a Delaware public or charter school at all. The Certificate identifies the specific role you’re authorized to fill, such as School Principal or Assistant Principal.
Every Delaware educator holds exactly one License, and which type depends on your experience:
- Initial License: for new educators or those with more than one year but less than four years of licensed teaching experience
- Continuing License: for educators with over four years of licensed teaching experience
- Advanced License: for educators who hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification
The Delaware Professional Standards Board promulgates the regulations governing certification, and the Delaware Department of Education administers the application process through the DEEDS system.
| Credential | Minimum Degree | Minimum Experience | Required Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal / Assistant Principal | Master’s degree in educational leadership (or master’s/doctoral degree in any field plus an approved preparation program) | 4 years of certified teaching experience | Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Test Code 6990), passing score of 151 |
| Superintendent / Assistant Superintendent | Doctoral degree in educational leadership (or master’s/doctoral degree in any field plus an approved preparation program) | 5 years combined experience: 4 years teaching plus 2 years administrative leadership | Praxis School Superintendent Assessment (Test Code 6991), passing score of 162 |
Principal and Assistant Principal Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
To qualify for the Standard Certificate for School Principals and Assistant Principals, you need a bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of a master’s degree, meeting one of these three paths:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in Pre-K to 12 educational leadership from a regionally accredited college or university with advanced preparation accreditation by NCATE/CAEP
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any field, plus completion of an alternative route to licensure or certification program for school principals under 14 Del. C. §§1260–1266
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area, plus completion of a Department-approved educator preparation program for school principals under 14 DE Admin. Code 290
Not sure this is the right path yet? Learn more about the requirements for teacher certification in Delaware before pursuing an administrator credential.
Experience and Testing Requirements
You’ll need a minimum of four years of certified experience as an educator, with satisfactory annual evaluations, in a Pre-K to 12 public school setting or an equivalent setting approved by the Department. This is documented through Form E, the Verification of Teaching Experience form.
You’ll also need a passing score on one of the following Praxis II tests, reported to the Department using Reporting Code 7065:
- A passing score of 151 on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (ETS Test Code 6990), or
- A passing score of 162 on the School Superintendent Assessment (ETS Test Code 6991)
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
The Standard Certificate for School District Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents requires a bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of a master’s degree, meeting one of these paths:
- A doctoral degree in Pre-K to 12 educational leadership from a regionally accredited college or university with advanced preparation accreditation by NCATE/CAEP
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any field, plus completion of an alternative route to licensure or certification program for superintendents under 14 Del. C. §§1260–1266
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area, plus completion of a Department-approved educator preparation program for superintendents under 14 DE Admin. Code 290
- A master’s or doctoral degree in any content area, plus a Certified Central Office Personnel or Special Education Director Standard Certificate already issued by the Department, plus an additional nine graduate-level credit hours in Pre-K to 12 educational leadership completed after that certificate was issued
Experience and Testing Requirements
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent candidates need a minimum of five years of certified experience, broken into two parts:
- At least four years of certified experience as an educator with satisfactory annual evaluations in a Pre-K to 12 public school setting, and
- At least two years of certified experience in a full-time leadership role, such as school principal, assistant principal, certified central office administrator, special education director, or another administrative instructional leadership position
Candidates must also pass the School Superintendent Assessment (ETS Test Code 6991) with a score of 162 or higher, reported using Reporting Code 7065.
How to Apply for Delaware Administrator Certification
Delaware’s DEEDS system handles both License and Certificate applications. You’ll need an EdAccess or ClassLink account to log in. The Department charges a one-time, non-refundable $100 fee for your first Delaware license only, not per certificate, and you can apply for a reimbursement once you’re fully licensed and certified and employed in a Delaware public or charter school.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll apply for the appropriate License and Certificate, then arrange for the following documentation to be sent directly to the Department:
- Official transcripts covering your bachelor’s degree and your qualifying master’s or doctoral degree
- Praxis test scores, sent electronically from ETS
- Form E (Verification of Teaching Experience), if applicable
- A copy of your current out-of-state license, if applicable
You can find full documentation requirements for each administrator role at the Delaware Department of Education’s Administrator Certification page. Documents can also be mailed to Delaware Department of Education, Collette Education Resource Center, 35 Commerce Way, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904, ATTN: Certification.
Criminal History and Background Check Requirements
Before you can be licensed to work with children in Delaware, you’ll need to clear a state child abuse and criminal history background check. Both checks can take several weeks to process, so start as early as possible in your application timeline.
The Child Protection Registry check is now submitted through the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families’ online Child Protection Registry Request Web Portal. Paper, email, and fax submissions are no longer accepted. Your school district, charter school, or employing agency typically registers on the portal and submits the request on your behalf.
For the criminal history check, the Delaware State Bureau of Identification now schedules fingerprint appointments online through IdentoGo rather than at walk-in county offices. Appointments are available at locations across the state, including Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Dover, Milford, Georgetown, and Seaford. A certified Delaware criminal history costs $72, and a combined Delaware and federal criminal history costs $85. Bring a driver’s license, school ID, or state ID to your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Delaware teaching license before I can apply for administrator certification?
Yes. Delaware’s Administrator Certificate only identifies your authorized role, such as Principal or Superintendent. You also need a separate, valid Delaware educator License (Initial, Continuing, or Advanced) to legally work in a public or charter school.
Can I become a Delaware principal without a degree in educational leadership?
Yes. If your master’s or doctoral degree is in a different field, you can qualify by completing a Department-approved educator preparation program for school principals under 14 DE Admin. Code 290, or an alternative route program under 14 Del. C. §§1260–1266.
What Praxis test do I need for Delaware administrator certification?
Principal and Assistant Principal candidates need a passing score of 151 on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Test Code 6990) or 162 on the School Superintendent Assessment (Test Code 6991). Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent candidates need a passing score of 162 on the School Superintendent Assessment.
How long does the Delaware administrator certification process take?
Timelines vary based on how quickly your transcripts, test scores, and experience verification are submitted, plus how long your criminal history and Child Protection Registry checks take to clear. Starting the background check process early is the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
Can I apply for a Delaware administrator certificate while working out of state?
Yes. Out-of-state candidates submit a copy of their current valid license along with Form E, the Verification of Teaching Experience form, so the Department can confirm qualifying experience earned outside Delaware.
- Certification is separate from licensure. You need both a Delaware educator License and an Administrator Certificate before you can work as a school leader.
- Principal and Superintendent paths have different experience thresholds. Four years of teaching experience covers Principal/Assistant Principal, while Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent needs five years of combined teaching and leadership experience.
- A Praxis score is required for both paths. You’ll need a passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment or School Superintendent Assessment, depending on the certificate you’re pursuing.
- Background checks take time. The Child Protection Registry check and criminal history clearance can take several weeks, so start early.
Find accredited educational leadership degree programs in Delaware, including options that meet the Department’s approved preparation program requirements for principals and superintendents.
