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

The New Hampshire Department of Education Bureau of Credentialing offers endorsements to qualified applicants to serve as School principals, Associate School principals, and District Administrators (Superintendents).

Academic Obligations

School principal:

• Finish at least an authorized bachelor’s degree program in school administration/leadership and receive a recommendation from that program’s officials; or
• Show the following knowledge/skills through experience and education:
  • Philosophy of learning
  • Culture of teaching and learning
  • Organizational management/school
  • Community relationships that foster learning
  • Ethics, fairness, and integrity in learning
  • The social, political, legal, economic, and cultural context of learning

Associate School principal:

• Finish at least an authorized bachelor’s degree program in school administration/leadership and receive a recommendation from that program’s officials; or
• Be enrolled in an authorized bachelor’s degree program in school administration/leadership for no longer than six years and receive a recommendation for licensure from the officials of the program, or
• Possess an undergraduate degree  from an authorized/accredited New Hampshire institution and receive a recommendation from the superintendent of the school in which you work, and
• Show the knowledge/skills listed above

Superintendent:

• Possess  at least a master’s degree
• Finish an authorized program in school administration/leadership at the certificate of advanced graduate study(CAGS) or doctorate level and receive a recommendation from that program’s officials; or
• Show the following knowledge/skills through experience and education:
  • Philosophy of learning
  • Culture of teaching and learning
  • Organizational management/school
  • Community relationships that foster learning
  • Ethics, fairness, and integrity in learning
  • The social, political, legal, economic, and cultural context of learning

Assessments

No assessment is required to become a School principal, Associate School principal or Superintendent in New Hampshire.

Classroom Teaching Experience Requirements

School principal/Associate School principal:

• 3 years of experience as an educator
• Show the skills and knowledge above through that experience

Superintendent:

• Five years of experience as a licensed school principal
• Show the skills and knowledge above through that experience

Document and Application Requirements

When you have satisfied the above obligations, submit the Application for Certification form. Along with your completed application and fee, include:

• Official transcripts from all colleges attended, indicating the school administration/leadership preparation program you completed, and degree(s) received
• Authentication and recommendation from the program’s officials
• Letters of authentication of any teaching/administrative experience you are claiming

Send all of the above to State of New Hampshire – Department of Education, Division of Program Support, Bureau of Credentialing, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-3860.

Background Check Requirements

Before you acquire your education administrator license, you must undergo a criminal history background check.

State Contacts

Contact these colleges and universities that offer authorized school administration/leadership programs for additional info.

For further info on licensure as a school administrator in New Hampshire, call the Bureau of Credentialing at 603-271-2409.