Massachusetts Administration/Principal Certification
Massachusetts principal certification requires a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved graduate program, a passing score on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test, and a supervised practicum before you can apply for an Initial License. Superintendents follow a similar path through Preliminary and Initial license tiers, each with its own experience and coursework requirements.
Sponsored School(s)
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) offers two administrative license tracks: School Principal/Assistant School Principal and Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent. Each track has three tiers: Preliminary, Initial, and Professional. Which tier you start at depends on your current license and experience. If you’re looking for classroom teacher certification instead of an administrator license, see Massachusetts Teaching Certification.
Education Requirements
School Principal/Assistant School Principal (Initial License):
- Complete an approved post-bachelor’s level of studies at the school principal/assistant level
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in Massachusetts.
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Initial License):
- Complete an approved post-bachelor’s level of studies at the superintendent/assistant level
Examinations
School Principal/Assistant School Principal (Initial License):
- Demonstrate that you can successfully apply the Professional Standards for Administrators by completing a Performance Assessment for Initial License
- Pass the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Preliminary License):
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Initial License):
- Demonstrate that you can successfully apply the Professional Standards for Administrators by completing a Performance Assessment for Initial License
Experience Requirements
School Principal/Assistant School Principal (Initial License):
- Three years of employment as a teacher, administrator, or supervisor in a public, charter, private, or higher education setting
- Complete a 300-hour supervised practicum at the assistant/school principal level
School Principal/Assistant School Principal (Professional License):
- Hold an Initial Principal/Assistant Principal license
- Complete a one-year Administrator Induction Program
- Work for at least three years under the Initial Principal/School Principal license
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Preliminary License):
- Three years of employment in an executive management/leadership role or in a supervisory, teaching, or administrative role in a public, charter, private, or higher education setting
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Initial License):
- Hold an Initial Teaching License, an Initial School Principal/Assistant Principal License, or a Preliminary Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license
- Three years of school district employment under that license
- Complete a 300-hour practicum at the assistant/superintendent level
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (Professional License):
- Hold an Initial Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license
- Complete a one-year Administrator Induction Program
- Work for at least three years under the Initial Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license
SEI Administrator Endorsement
Principals, assistant principals, and supervisor/directors who evaluate core academic teachers need an SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) Administrator Endorsement in addition to their license. This applies whenever your role includes supervising or evaluating teachers of core academic subjects, since those teachers may hold an SEI Teacher Endorsement themselves and need an administrator who’s endorsed to evaluate that instruction. Check with your preparation program about how to fold the SEI Administrator Endorsement into your coursework.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Candidates
If you already hold an administrator license from another state, Massachusetts may recognize it under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or another agreement the Commissioner accepts. You’ll still need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program if your out-of-state program wasn’t accredited by an organization DESE recognizes. See Massachusetts Teacher Reciprocity Agreements for how reciprocity works for classroom teaching licenses, since the same underlying agreements apply to administrator licensure. Contact the Office of Educator Licensure directly to confirm how your specific license and program will transfer.
Document and Application Requirements
Once you’ve met Massachusetts’ requirements for administrator licensure at the level you’re applying for, you submit your application through the ELAR (Educator Licensure and Recruitment) system. Official transcripts, verification letters covering your experience, and copies of any previous licenses you hold typically come through the ELAR system itself or directly from your educator preparation program, along with the application fee payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Check your ELAR account for the exact documentation your specific license level requires.
Criminal History Background Check
If you answer yes to any criminal history question on your administrator licensure application, DESE is authorized by the Criminal History Systems Board to investigate. Every Massachusetts school will run a criminal history background check before hiring you. You’ll get information on this process when you apply for an administrative position within a school district.
Contact Information
For more on administrator preparation programs in Massachusetts, contact the institutions offering them.
For questions about the administrative licensure process, contact the Office of Educator Licensure at 781-338-6600.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to become a principal in Massachusetts?
You need a School Principal/Assistant School Principal license from DESE, starting at the Initial License level. You’ll complete a graduate-level administrator preparation program, pass the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test, and finish a supervised practicum before you can apply.
How long does it take to get principal certification in Massachusetts?
Most candidates complete their preparation program and practicum in one to two years alongside three years of qualifying school employment. Moving from an Initial to a Professional License adds at least three more years working under that Initial license, plus a one-year Administrator Induction Program.
Do I need an SEI Administrator Endorsement to become a principal?
Yes, if your role includes supervising or evaluating core academic teachers. The SEI Administrator Endorsement is a separate requirement from your principal license and typically gets built into your preparation program coursework.
Can I transfer a principal license from another state to Massachusetts?
Possibly. Massachusetts recognizes some out-of-state licenses under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but you may still need coursework from a DESE-recognized program depending on where you were originally licensed. Contact the Office of Educator Licensure to confirm your specific situation.
What test do I need to pass for administrator licensure in Massachusetts?
You need to pass the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test for both the principal and superintendent tracks. You’ll also complete a Performance Assessment demonstrating you can apply the Professional Standards for Administrators.
- Two license tracks, same core structure. Principal/Assistant Principal and Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent both move through Preliminary, Initial, and Professional tiers with exam, practicum, and experience requirements at each stage.
- The MTEL is required for every track. Pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test before you can move past the Initial License level.
- SEI Administrator Endorsement is separate from your license. You need it if you’ll supervise or evaluate core academic teachers.
- Reciprocity isn’t automatic. An out-of-state license may qualify under the NASDTEC agreement, but confirm your specific case with the Office of Educator Licensure.
- Applications go through the ELAR system. You’ll need transcripts, experience verification letters, and copies of prior licenses, most of which come through ELAR or your preparation program directly.
Find accredited administrator preparation programs in Massachusetts, including MTEL exam prep and practicum placement support for your principal or superintendent licensure path.
