Superintendent, PreK-12

Certificate Information

Overview: Individuals who hold the title of Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Associate Superintendent and who perform duties directly relevant to the curriculum, instruction, certified employee evaluations, and instructional supervision may obtain a Superintendent Certificate as delineated in Title 15 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The certificate is valid for 12 years and is renewable. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-601; R7-2-606, R7-2-607, R7-2-616 (D); R7-2-621.

Out-of-state Certificate Holders: If you hold a valid, current, comparable out-of-state educator certificate/license or National Board Teaching Certificate that is in good standing in another state, follow this link for information and steps to apply under reciprocity. 

To qualify for this certificate applicants must meet all Coursework/Experience Requirements and the Exam(s) Requirement.  

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

Master's degree, coursework, experience, and exam

  • Master's Degree and Graduate Semester hours: A Master's or more advanced degree including at least 60 graduate semester hours from an accredited institution; -AND-
  • Teaching/Related Education Experience: Verification of three (3) years of full-time teaching or related education services experience in grades Prekindergarten–12: -AND-
  • Educational Administration Coursework: Completion of a program in educational administration, including at least 36 graduate semester hours of educational administration courses teaching the knowledge and skills described in the Professional Administrative Standards (R7-2-603) to include three semester hours in school law and three semester hours in school finance; -AND-
  • Superintendent Practicum or Experience: Submit one of the following:
    • Practicum: Official transcript from an accredited institution documenting a practicum as a superintendent; -OR-
    • Administrative Experience: Verification of two years of experience as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or associate superintendent in grades Prekindergarten–12.    

One of the following: 

  • Superintendent Exam: A passing score on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) Superintendent Subtest I and II exam (AZ180 and AZ280); -OR-
  • Verification of Administrative Experience: Verification of three years of full-time experience as an administrator in any state, including Arizona. 
    • Note: Experience as an administrator in a foreign school will not be accepted; -OR-
  • Comparable Exam: Passing score on a similar administrative exam from another state. Submit an official score report and have reporting state complete and submit Verification of Out of State Exams.
    • Note: If you took a Praxis exam, request that your scores be reported to the state of Arizona 8517, in place of the Verification of Out of State Exam form.

Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority

  • Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
    • Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected].
    • Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
      Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit
      PO Box 6490 
      Phoenix, AZ  85005-6490.
    • Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
  • Out-of-State Exam Score Reports: If you are using out-of-state exams, include a copy of the out-of-state score report with your application and have exams verified as follows:
    • Forward the "Verification of Out-of-State Exams" form to the state agency that accepted the exam.  This form must be completed and submitted by an official with the state agency.
    • If you are using Praxis exam(s), have your scores reported by ETS to the Arizona Department of Education (8517).
  • Verification of Teaching Experience: Request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form directly to [email protected]. 
  • Verification of Administrative or Related Education Services Experience: Verification of three years of full-time experience as an administrator in any state, including Arizona. Request that your district/school human resources office complete and submit the "Verification of Leadership & Professional Non-Teaching Experience" form to [email protected].

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

  • AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 
  • Arizona Educator Exams:  Submit a photocopy of the official score report documenting a passing score on the Arizona educator exam(s) (AEPA/NES).  

    Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

    Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes.