Learn how to become an Education Administrator or School Principal in Florida.

The Bureau of Educator Certification of the Florida Department of Education issues 2 kinds of certificates for school education administrators: Level 1-Educational Leadership (which usually qualifies 1 to work as an Assistant School principal) and Level 2-School School principal.

Academic Obligations

Educational Leadership

• A minimum of a master’s degree by a regionally accredited or authorized institution
• Completion of the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum, including courses in:
  • Instructional leadership
  • Management of the learning environment
  • Learning, assessment, and accountability
  • Decision making strategies
  • Human resource development
  • Technology
  • Ethical leadership
  • Vision
  • Community/stakeholder partnerships
  • Diversity
• Successful completion of the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum through 1 of the following:
  • Completing a Florida Department of Education authorized Florida pre-service program in educational leadership offered by an authorized institution
  • A graduate degree major in educational administration
  • A graduate degree with a major in a field other than educational administration, and successful completion of a Department of Education authorized modified Florida program in educational leadership offered by an acceptable institution
  • A graduate degree with a major in a field other than educational administration, administration and supervision, or educational leadership awarded by an acceptable institution, and 30 semester hours of graduate credit which includes credit in each of the classes in the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum (above)
  • Completion of an Educational Leadership training program authorized by the Department of Education and offered by a Florida public school district

School principal

• You must meet all of the educational obligations, plus successfully complete a Department of Education authorized district school principal licensure program, which includes professional development training and experience (as described below)

Assessments

Educational Leadership
You must pass the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE). All 3 subtest areas must be passed:

• Subtest 1 – Instructional Leadership
• Subtest 2 – Operational Leadership
• Subtest 3 – School Leadership

School principal
No additional assessment is required to become a School principal, as you will already have passed the FELE.

Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements

Educational Leadership
No specific experience obligations are set forth to acquire Educational Leadership licensure

School principal
You must possess a valid Educational Leadership certificate and have worked full-time in an educational leadership (assistant school principal) position in a Florida public school under a school principal or manager’s supervision for at least 1 year.

Document and Application Requirements

You may apply online for both kinds of administrative licensure. Ensure the necessary supporting materials (official transcripts, copies of teaching and educational leadership certificates, etc.) are sent to: Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Room 201, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

Background Check Requirements

Once a Florida school has hired you, you must submit to a criminal history background check performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before starting work there.

State Contacts

For additional info about administrative licensure in Florida, make contact with the Bureau of Educator Certification of the Florida Department of Education at 800-445-6739, or visit their website.