Certificate Requirements

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State Requirements:

According to State Law (MCL 380.1246) and Michigan Department of Education Administrative Rule (380.101-380.136):

As of November 16, 2017 any person employed before January 4, 2010 as a school administrator or in a position where his/her primary responsibility is administering instructional programs, who has completed all professional learning requirements and who has maintained the proper documentation, must hold a “grandparented” Experienced-Based School Administrator Certificate 1246(1)(a).

Any person employed after January 4, 2010 as a school administrator or in a position where his/her primary responsibility is administering instructional programs, must hold a School Administrator Certificate 1246(1)(b) with a PK-12 Building or Central Office endorsement or be enrolled in a program leading to certification not later than six months after he/she begins employment. The person then has three years to complete certification requirements or he/she shall not continue to be employed as a school administrator.

A School Administrator Certificate issued by the State of Michigan under these rules expires five years from June 30 of the calendar year it is issued. In order to maintain employment, a person’s certificate must be kept current by completing professional learning requirements.

Affected Positions: 

  • Superintendent
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Principal
  • Assistant Principal

These positions may require certification, depending on responsibilities:*

  • Dean of Students
  • Early Education Services Director
  • Assistant Director of Early Education Services
  • Director of Technical and Education Center
  • Technology, Employment, and Community Services Director (Instructional technology)
  • Supervisor of Adult Education and Training Services
  • Supervisors/Directors of Special Education
  • Supervisor of the Math and Science Center
  • Great Start Readiness Program Administrator (Does not apply to GSRP classroom teachers)

 

*NOTE: This list is not all-inclusive. The local district, public school academy, or intermediate school district must determine whether the position includes “administering instructional programs.”

For more information on the certification requirements outlined above, please visit michigan.gov/mde and click on Educator Services.