Licensure Resources
Academic Administrator Licensure
Most administrator-level positions require the appropriate type of administrator license. In situations where there is no specific license (such as Director of Human Resources or Athletic Director), the district may determine which license is the appropriate license for each position. All administrator licenses require a passing score on the Communications and Literacy MTEL exam. The Sheltered English Immersion Administrator endorsement may be required. Educators seeking administrative licensure must complete all application requirements, submit all required documentation and pay any applicable fees.
Types of Academic Administrator Licenses
DESE issues five types of academic administrator licenses. Additionally, Supervisor/Director licenses are issued for specific subject area roles and may require additional content area licensure or coursework as part of licensure requirements.
| Supervisor/Director |
Arts, Civics & Government/Economics/Geography, English, Foreign Language, History, Mathematics, Reading/Language Arts, Science, Non-Core Area, Early Childhood, Elementary, Moderate Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, Guidance Director, Pupil Personnel Services |
||
| Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent |
Special Education Administrator |
||
| School Business Administrator | School Principal/Assistant School Principal | ||
Stages of Academic Administrator Licenses
Licenses are divided into stages based upon completion of educational requirements, passing scores on required MTEL exams and professional employment history. Administrators may apply for their first licensure at the temporary or initial license stages. Only the Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent licenses are issued at the Preliminary level. An initial license is prerequisite for a professional level license for all educators.
Initial
An Initial administrator license in any field requires:
- A passing score on the Communications and Literacy MTEL exam;
- Completion of an approved program, internship or panel review; and
- Any additional content area coursework.
An Initial license is valid for five years of employment. A one-time extension of five years is available for educators who can demonstrate hardship in completing the requirements for a Professional license after five years of employment under the Initial license.
Temporary
A temporary administrator license is available for educators who hold an out of state license and have three years of experience working under that license.
Temporary license will permit an educator to be legally employed while completing the state's educator licensure requirements, including the required MTEL exams. Educators who are applying for a Temporary license must not have failed the Communications and Literacy MTEL.
The Temporary license is valid for one calendar year and may not be renewed or extended.
Professional
A Professional administrator license requires:
- An Initial license in the same field and level
- Three years of employment in the role of the license and completion of a one-year induction program with a trained mentor.
Professional teacher licenses are valid for five calendar years and must be renewed with DESE.
Preliminary
A Preliminary Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license requires a bachelor’s degree, a passing score on the Communications and Literacy MTEL exam and completion all application requirements.
The Preliminary Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license is valid for five years of employment and may not be renewed or extended.