MTTC Administrator Testing

On April 27, 2026, the revised Michigan School Administrator Cerification Code was filed with the Secretary of State, authorizing the superintendent of public instruction to issue a school administrator certificate to applicants who have earned a passing score on the appropriate school administrator exam, the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

This authorization is relevant to the following endorsements on an administrator certificate:

• Central Office School Administrator (CO), which requires the Central Office School Administrator MTTC; and

• Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator (ES), which requires the Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator MTTC.

Effective August 31, 2026 an applicant for the CO and ES endorsement must have earned a passing score on the appropriate available school administrator exam for their application to be processed by their educator preparation provider (EPP) (i.e., college, university, or alternative route) in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). CO and ES applications processed by an EPP in MOECS on or after August 31, 2026 without a passing MTTC score will not be allowed to proceed.

Completing Testing Requirements

Testing requirements for the ES and CO endorsements were phased in over time. Criteria for completing testing requirements depends on the implementation phase. 

Phase 1: Good Faith Effort, Met the Minimum Requirement, Did Not Meet the Minimum Requirement

During Phase 1, candidates must make a good faith effort on the test to complete testing requirements.

• Candidates who make a good faith effort on the test will receive an official score report noting they Met the Minimum Requirement.
• Candidates who do not make a good faith effort will receive an official score report noting they Did Not Meet the Minimum Requirement.

Phase 2: Passing

In Phase 2, candidates must pass the test. As with all MTTCs, candidates must earn a scaled score of 220 or greater to pass. 

Implementation Timeline

Tests for the ES and CO endorsements will be phased in over time. (See "Completing Testing Requirements" for date-dependent definitions of meeting testing requirements.)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I receive my score?

Administrator tests for the MTTC program each include a constructed response item. Constructed response items are hand-scored, making it impossible to share preliminary score reports upon completing an exam. Official scores will be reported within six weeks of testing. Specific score reporting dates are available on the program website for MI139: Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator and MI140: Central Office School Administrator.

I tested prior to August 31, 2026. My score report says I "Met the Minimum Requirement." Does that mean I passed?

Candidates who tested prior to August 31, 2026, did so under a "good faith effort" implementation phase. For the purpose of individual certification, a test result of "met the minimum requirement" during the implementation phase is considered equivalent to completing the testing requirements. For the purpose of EPP continuous improvement and program evaluation, EPPs should refer to special reports and interpretive cautions, which are available in edReports.

I completed testing requirements for my test. What do I need to do next?

Testing is one requirement candidates need to complete to earn an endorsement. Your preparation program must also recommend you for the certification and endorsement. Please contact your EPP (or, for out-of-state candidates, your evaluation report) for guidance on additional requirements and next steps.

How long can I use my Administrator test result?

Candidates who completed testing requirements prior to August 31, 2026 (i.e., during the "good faith effort" implementation phase) may apply that result toward an ES or CO application for up to five years from the test date.

MTTC scores are valid for five years; however, EPPs have discretion to allow exceptions, as explained in MDE's MTTC Five-Year Validity and Retesting policy. The change from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is a significant change to the test, so candidates who tested prior to August 31, 2026 and wait more than five years to apply their result will be required to retest.

I have an ES (or CO) endorsement. Will I need to take a test when I renew my certification?

No.

I already have the ES endorsement on my administrator certificate, and I am in a program to add the CO endorsement. Do I need to test?

Yes. In this case, you would need to pass MI140 to add the CO endorsement to your administrator certificate. You would not need to pass MI139 because you already have that endorsement on your administrator certificate.

Testing is only required for new or additional ES or CO endorsements on an administrator certificate. Testing is not required to maintain an existing endorsement on an administrator certificate.

I completed testing requirements during Phase 1. Will I need to retest when I renew my certification?

No.

I am pursuing the Special Education Administrator credential. Do I need to pass a test?

No.

I completed my CO (or ES) program several years ago but have not applied for my school administrator certificate. Do I need to test?

All applications for CO (or ES) processed by an EPP on or after August 31, 2026 will require a passing score on the appropriate available exam, the MTTC. In-state candidates should contact their provider for guidance. Out-of-state candidates should refer to their evaluation report after applying in MOECS.

How do I know which test to take? When should I take my test?

Please refer to MDE's MTTC website for advice on which test(s) to take and when, as well as other frequently asked questions. On that page, candidates will also find important information about test registration, study materials, preparation webinars, alternative testing arrangements, and the MTTC five-year validity and retesting policy. 

I completed an out-of-state program. Do I need to take a test? If so, which one?

An out-of-state candidate must apply for Michigan certification through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) before any testing guidance can be provided. After submission of the application, paying the evaluation fee, and sending in all requested documents, the application will be evaluated. Once the evaluation has been completed, the individual will be issued an evaluation report which discloses all testing requirements. 

As a faculty member at an EPP, how can I help my candidates prepare for their test?

Faculty members and their candidates should familiarize themselves with the test objectives, test format, and sample questions, all of which are available on the program website for MI139: Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator and MI140: Central Office School Administrator. Guidance on preparing for any MTTC test can be found on MDE's MTTC website, which includes information about test registration, study materials, alternative testing arrangements, preparation webinar videos and slides, and policies related to testing. 

I am a faculty member for an administrator program. Where can I find test objectives to include in my course?

Test objectives are available on the program website for MI139: Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Administrator and MI140: Central Office School Administrator.

Correlation tables that map test objectives to program standards are also available on the program website.

How can faculty get a copy of a practice test?

Practice tests are available for purchase through the MTTC program website. The for-purchase practice test contains the exact same questions as the practice test available to candidates through registration. The for-purchase practice test is given online and is only available for 120 days following the date of activation. 

Faculty serving on MTTC committees, such as Content Advisory Committees, Standard Setting panels, or Equity and Access Committees will receive a voucher for a practice test as a thank you for their service to the program. Faculty can apply to serve on these committees by completing a brief application. 

What financial support is available to candidates?

EPPs or potential employers of a candidate may purchase test vouchers, on behalf of candidates.