Administrator Certification

Residency Administrator Certification (Principal)

The Residency Administrator Certificate (First Issue) endorsed in the role of Principal is issued by OSPI upon verification by the Woodring Certification Office that these requirements are met:

• A master's degree, earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
• A valid Washington State teacher or educational staff associate certificate.
• Three years of documented successful school-based experience in an instructional role with students.
• Successful completion of the WWU Principal Program including coursework, the internship, a portfolio of evidence of meeting standards, and a draft professional growth plan.
• Character and Fitness Clearance is required for certification if the candidate does not hold a valid Washington State educator certificate.
• Contact cert@wwu.edu for information on the certificate application process and fees.
• See Guidance for Principals: Maintaining a valid Teaching Certificate

Initial Administrator Certification (Superintendent) 

The Initial Administrator Certificate endorsed in the role of Superintendent is issued by OSPI upon verification by the Woodring Certification Office that these requirements are met:

• A master's degree, earned from a regionally accredited college or university.
• 45 credits in education credits beyond the bachelor's degree.
• A valid Washington State teacher, educational staff associate, program administrator, or principal certificate or a comparable out of state certificate.
• Successful completion of the WWU Initial Superintendent Program including coursework, the internship, a portfolio of evidence of meeting standards and a draft professional growth plan.
• Character and Fitness Clearance is required for certification if the candidate does not hold a valid Washington State educator certificate.
• Contact cert@wwu.edu for information on the certificate application process and fee.

The Initial Administrator Certificate is valid for seven years.  Application can then be made for an Additional Initial Superintendent Certificate, or for a Continuing Superintendent Certificate if requirements are met; see options For Those Who Hold an Initial Superintendent Certificate.

The Continuing Superintendent Certificate may be renewed through the completion of 150 clock hours or equivalent, or four annual professional growth plans, during the five-year validity term of the continuing certificate.