Indiana Principal Certification Requirements
Indiana principal certification requires a Building Level Administrator License, which you can earn with a master’s degree, an approved building-level administration program, at least two years of teaching experience, and a passing score on the licensure examination the Indiana Department of Education currently requires. Superintendents need a District Administrator license instead, which calls for an EdS or doctoral degree. The Indiana Department of Education reviews every application filed through the state’s LVIS portal.
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You need a Building Level Administrator License to become a principal in Indiana. Superintendents need a District Administrator License instead, and the two credentials have different degree and experience thresholds even though they share some of the same application steps. Both licenses build on an existing Indiana teaching certification, so you’ll need that base license before pursuing either administrator credential.
Use the links below to jump to Building Level Administrator requirements, District Administrator requirements, additional certifications, and the application process.
- Building Level Administrator License requirements
- District Administrator (Superintendent) License requirements
- Other training and documentation requirements
- Criminal history background check
- How to apply for administrator licensure
Building Level Administrator License Requirements
Education Requirements
You must complete an approved college or university program in Building Level Administration and hold at least a master’s degree.
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Indiana.
Experience Requirements
You must first hold an Initial, Standard, Provisional, Proficient Practitioner, or Accomplished Practitioner Instructional License (or School Counselor license), with at least two years of teaching experience or two years of school counselor experience.
Licensing Exam
You must pass the administrator licensure examination currently required by the Indiana Department of Education for the Building Level Administrator content area.
District Administrator (Superintendent) License Requirements
Education Requirements
You must earn an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree or higher and complete an approved District Administrator: Superintendent program.
Experience Requirements
You must hold an Initial, Standard, Provisional, Proficient Practitioner, or Accomplished Practitioner Instructional License, with at least two years of teaching experience.
Licensing Exam
You must pass the administrator licensure examination currently required by the Indiana Department of Education for the District Level Administrator content area before the department will issue the Superintendent license.
Other Training and Documentation Requirements
Some preparation programs or employing school districts may require CPR and AED certification. Additional training, including suicide prevention, may be required depending on current Indiana law, educator preparation program requirements, or employing school district policies. Additional statutory training requirements may apply as well. Check current Indiana Department of Education guidance for the documentation your specific application will need.
Criminal History Background Check
Applicants are generally required to complete the criminal history screening process applicable to their licensure or employment situation. Depending on your school district, this may run through a private company, which searches records in every county where you’ve lived (in-state and out-of-state), and checks state and national sex offender registries, or through the Indiana State Police, which runs a national criminal history background check along with a national sex offender registry check. You’re responsible for any associated fees.
How to Apply for Indiana Administrator Licensure
Applications for both the Building Level Administrator and District Administrator licenses go through Indiana’s LVIS online licensing system. You’ll upload a current copy of your teaching license along with official transcripts showing your degree and completion of the approved administration or educational leadership program.
For more information on approved Indiana school administration and educational leadership programs, contact the participating schools directly. For licensure questions, use the Indiana Department of Education’s online resources rather than a phone number, since staff assignments and contact details change more often than the requirements themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to become a principal in Indiana?
You need a Building Level Administrator License. It requires a master’s degree, an approved building-level administration program, at least two years of teaching experience, and a passing score on the licensure examination the Indiana Department of Education currently requires for this content area.
How many years of teaching experience do I need for a Building Level Administrator License?
Indiana requires at least two years of teaching experience for the Building Level Administrator License. The same two-year minimum applies to the District Administrator: Superintendent license.
What degree is required for a Superintendent license in Indiana?
You need an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree or a doctoral degree, along with completion of an approved District Administrator: Superintendent program.
Do Indiana administrator candidates need to pass an exam?
Yes. Building Level Administrator and District Administrator candidates each take a licensure examination tied to their content area. Confirm the current exam and testing program with the Indiana Department of Education, since testing vendors and requirements can change.
Where do I apply for an Indiana administrator license?
You apply online through Indiana’s LVIS system, where you’ll upload your current teaching license and official transcripts documenting your degree and approved program completion.
- Two credentials lead to two different roles — a Building Level Administrator License leads to a principal role, while a District Administrator License is required for superintendents.
- Experience requirements are lower than many candidates expect — both licenses require at least two years of teaching experience, not five or ten.
- Degree requirements differ by license — Building Level Administrator candidates need a master’s degree, while District Administrator candidates need an EdS or doctoral degree.
- Additional training may apply depending on your situation — some preparation programs, school districts, or state statutes call for CPR/AED certification, suicide prevention training, or other documentation beyond the licensure exam.
- Applications go through LVIS — both license types are filed through Indiana’s online Licensing Verification and Information System, not by mail.
Find accredited educational administration and educational leadership programs in Indiana, including options that prepare you for the Building Level Administrator or District Administrator license.
