Administrative Rules governing School Administrator Certification require all individuals employed as a superintendent, as a principal, as an assistant principal, or as an individual whose primary responsibility is administering instructional programs who are authorized under the experience-based, provision in Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 380.1246 to hold a valid Experience-Based School Administrator Certificate issued by the Michigan Department of Education. This certificate:
- Requires demonstration of eligibility for the experience-based provision through evidence of employment as an administrator at a Michigan school district on or before January 4, 2010.
- Requires and authorizes school administrators to maintain professional learning hours in MOECS for ease of tracking, certificate renewal, and avoiding costly State Aid deductions.
- Provides all school administrators who obtain the Experience-Based School Administrator Certificate a new five-year cycle on the continuing education requirement in law.
- Ensures compliance with reporting required under MCL 380.1535a.
Legal Requirement
MCL 380.1246 requires school administrators to complete professional learning as a requirement for continued employment. Holding a valid School Administrator Certificate demonstrates that this requirement has been met.
Failure to employ a certified, or permitted, individual may result in State Aid deduction. Submission of an application alone does not constitute a valid certificate.
Effective/Implementation Date
The initial School Administrator Experience-Based Certificate for qualifying school administrators was first available on January 1, 2018. For initial certification, an application processing fee of $160 will be charged. Subsequent renewals will be consistent with MCL 380.1538 and the certificate fee structure.
Administrators unable to meet these requirements and/or obtain a valid School Administrator Certificate may be temporarily employed under the Administrator Permit.