Florida Administration/Principal Certification
Florida principal certification works through two levels from the Bureau of Educator Certification: Level 1-Educational Leadership, which qualifies you for assistant principal roles, and Level 2-School Principal, which requires a year of leadership experience. Both require a master’s degree and a passing score on the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE), a four-subtest exam as of January 2026.
Sponsored School(s)
Florida principal certification runs through two certificate levels issued by the Bureau of Educator Certification. A Level 1-Educational Leadership certificate usually qualifies you to work as an assistant principal. A Level 2-School Principal certificate builds on that and lets you lead a school as principal. Both require passing the same state exam, and the two levels are meant to be taken in sequence rather than chosen independently.
Education Requirements
Level 1: Educational Leadership
To qualify for Level 1-Educational Leadership certification, you need at least a master’s degree from a regionally accredited or approved institution, along with documented completion of the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum. That curriculum covers:
- Instructional leadership
- Management of the learning environment
- Learning, assessment, and accountability
- Decision-making strategies
- Human resource development
- Technology
- Ethical leadership
- Vision
- Community and stakeholder partnerships
- Diversity
You can document completion of the core curriculum in one of several ways: completing an FLDOE-approved Florida pre-service program in educational leadership, earning a graduate degree specifically in educational administration or educational leadership, earning a graduate degree in another subject plus an FLDOE-approved modified leadership program, earning a graduate degree in another subject plus 30 semester hours of graduate credit covering each core curriculum area, or completing an Educational Leadership training program approved by the Department of Education and offered by a Florida public school district.
Level 2: School Principal
Level 2-School Principal certification builds directly on Level 1. You’ll need to meet all of the Level 1 educational requirements, then complete a district-run, Department of Education-approved school principal certification program that includes professional development training and supervised experience.
Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE)
Both certification levels require passing the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE), administered under State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.00821, F.A.C. The exam changed structure at the start of January 2026: candidates now take four subtests aligned to the 2024 Florida Educational Leadership Standards, replacing the previous three-subtest format.
- Subtest 1 (multiple choice) — Foundational Policies and Practices of School Leadership
- Subtest 2 (multiple choice) — Practices for Student Learning
- Subtest 3 (written performance assessment) — Leadership Development
- Subtest 4 (written performance assessment) — Leadership Communications
All four subtests must be passed to qualify for Educational Leadership certification. If you’d already passed all three subtests of the prior FELE format by December 31, 2025, those scores still count. Otherwise, you’ll need to sit for all four subtests of the current exam. No additional examinations are required for Level 2-School Principal certification. Passing the FELE at Level 1 satisfies the exam requirement for both levels.
Experience Requirements
Educational Leadership certification (Level 1) has no specific experience prerequisite beyond the education and exam requirements above. School Principal certification (Level 2) is different: you must already hold a valid Educational Leadership certificate and have worked full-time in an educational leadership position, such as assistant principal, in a Florida public school under the supervision of a principal or district administrator for at least one year.
Document and Application Requirements
You can apply online for either level of administrative certification. Have your supporting documentation ready, including official transcripts and copies of any existing teaching or educational leadership certificates. If mailing documents directly, send them to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Room 201, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.
Criminal History Background Check
Once a Florida school hires you, you’ll need to clear a criminal history background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI before starting work. This involves submitting fingerprints through your public school district’s personnel office. If your results come back clear, the Bureau of Educator Certification issues your certificate within 30 days of receiving the request from your district.
If you work for a nonpublic school, your employer provides a fingerprint card and instructions for completing the background check. You return the completed card and processing fee to your employer, who forwards it to the Bureau of Educator Certification. Once the FBI and FDLE clear you, the Bureau notifies your employer and issues your certificate within 30 days.
If your fingerprint results show a criminal record, your application goes to the Bureau of Professional Practices Services for review. That office will contact you about what’s needed to resolve the situation and determine your eligibility.
Certificate Renewal Requirements
Florida administrator certificates operate on a five-year validity period, the same renewal cycle used for standard teaching certificates. Renewal generally requires completing six semester hours of college credit, or the equivalent in approved in-service points, during the validity period. Certificates with a validity date beginning July 1, 2025 or later also require at least one college credit or twenty in-service points specifically in Florida’s educational leadership standards under Rule 6A-5.080, F.A.C. Track your renewal points throughout the validity period, so you’re not scrambling as your expiration date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 administrator certification in Florida?
Level 1-Educational Leadership certification qualifies you for assistant principal-type roles and requires a master’s degree, the core curriculum, and the FELE. Level 2-School Principal certification builds on Level 1 and requires a year of supervised leadership experience plus a district-run principal certification program before you can lead a school as principal.
Do I need to retake the FELE if I already passed it before 2026?
No. If you passed all three subtests of the prior FELE format by December 31, 2025, those scores remain valid for certification purposes. Candidates who haven’t finished testing by that date must take all four subtests of the current exam.
How long does it take to become a school principal in Florida?
Timelines vary by program and how quickly you complete the FELE, but expect at least one to two years for a Level 1 educational leadership program plus exam, followed by a minimum of one year of supervised leadership experience before you’re eligible for Level 2-School Principal certification.
How often do I need to renew my Florida administrator certificate?
Every five years. Renewal typically requires six semester hours of college credit or the equivalent in-service points, plus a specific credit or point requirement in Florida’s educational leadership standards for certificates with a validity date of July 1, 2025 or later.
Who do I contact with questions about Florida administrator certification?
Contact the Bureau of Educator Certification of the Florida Department of Education at 800-445-6739, or visit their website.
- Two certificate levels build on each other — Level 1-Educational Leadership comes first and typically leads to assistant principal roles, while Level 2-School Principal requires a year of experience beyond Level 1.
- The FELE changed in January 2026 — the exam now has four subtests aligned to the 2024 Florida Educational Leadership Standards, up from the previous three-subtest format.
- Both levels share the same exam — passing the FELE at Level 1 satisfies the testing requirement for Level 2 as well.
- Certificates renew every five years — typically six semester hours or equivalent in-service points, plus a leadership-standards-specific requirement for certificates dated July 1, 2025 or later.
Find accredited educational leadership and administration programs that can help you meet Florida’s principal certification requirements.
