Maine Administration/Principal Certification
The Maine Department of Education offers administrator certification to qualified applicants. Titles commonly used include Assistant Building Administrator (Assistant Principal), Building Administrator (Principal), Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent.
Education Requirements
Assistant Building Administrator:
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited college/university
- Complete approved courses in these areas:
- Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom
- Federal and Maine Civil Rights Law & Education Law
- Supervision and Evaluation of Personnel
- Organizational Theory and Planning
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Maine.
Sponsored School(s)
Building Administrator
- Minimum of a master’s degree (in any field) from an accredited college/university
- Complete approved courses in these areas:
- Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom
- Federal and Maine Civil Rights Law & Education Law
- Community Relations
- School Finance/Budget
- Supervision and Evaluation of Personnel
- Organizational Theory and Planning
- Educational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Ethical Decision Making
- Curriculum Development
- Cultural Differences
Assistant Superintendent
- Minimum of a master’s degree (in any field) from an accredited college/university
- Complete approved courses in these areas:
- Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom
- Federal and Maine Civil Rights Law & Education Law
- Community Relations
- School Finance/Budget
- Supervision and Evaluation of Personnel
- Organizational Theory and Planning
- Educational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Ethical Decision Making
- Curriculum Development
- Cultural Differences
Superintendent
- Minimum of a master’s degree (in any field) from an accredited college/university
- Complete approved courses in these areas:
- Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom
- Federal and Maine Civil Rights Law & Education Law
- Community Relations
- School Finance/Budget
- Supervision and Evaluation of Personnel
- Organizational Theory and Planning
- Educational Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Ethical Decision Making
- Curriculum Development
- Cultural Differences
Examinations
No examinations are required for administrator certification in Maine.
Experience Requirements
Assistant Building Administrator
- Must have three years of full-time teaching experience in public/private schools
Building Administrator
- Must have three years of full-time teaching experience in public/private schools
- Must complete an approved internship/practicum of at least 15 weeks in a Maine school relating to the duties of a principal or one full year of work experience as an assistant principal or principal in a school out-of-state
Assistant Superintendent
- Must have three years of full-time teaching experience in public/private schools
- Must have one year of previous administrative experience in schools
Superintendent
- Must have three years of full-time teaching experience in public/private schools
- Must have three years of full-time administrative experience in schools
- Must complete an approved internship/practicum of at least 15 weeks in a Maine school relating to the duties of a superintendent or one full year of work experience as an assistant superintendent or superintendent in a school out-of-state
Document and Application Requirements
To apply for administrator certification in Maine, use the Application for Initial Certification. Attach official college transcript(s) showing degrees conferred and necessary coursework taken, documentation of experience, copies of previous teaching/administrative certificates, application fees payable to the Treasurer of the State of Maine, certificate code, and explain any “yes” answers you gave on the application. Mail all of the above to State of Maine Department of Education, Certification Office, 23 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333-0023.
Criminal History Background Check
As an administrator in the Maine public school system, you must have a criminal history background check conducted. This includes a fingerprinting process. You may find approved fingerprinting locations here. You must pay all fees associated with the criminal history background check. Your administrator certificate will not be issued until the Maine Department of Education receives a cleared background check.
Contact Information
For more information on administrator certification in Maine, contact the Certification Office of the Department of Education at 207-624-6603.
