Certification
Administrator Certificate and Superintendent Extension
Administrator Certificate Decision Tree
Application Instructions and Reminders for Administrator Certificate
Application Instructions and Reminders for Superintendent Extension
On January 13, 2025, the New York State Board of Regents approved Regulation sections 52.21, 80-1.2, 80-4.3, 80-5.20 and Subpart 80-3 which establish a new Administrator Certificate and a Superintendent Extension.
This new certification is designed to reflect the changing landscape of administrator positions in New York State by combining all building-level and district-level leadership positions, except those that include “superintendent” in the title, into a single certification title aligned to the New York State version of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs). To work in those positions that include “superintendent” in the title, educators who hold the new Professional Administrator certificate would also need to obtain the new Superintendent Extension.
The key changes to the regulations, and the implementation timeline for the changes, are described below and in the presentation to the Board of Regents. For additional information about the Administrator certificate, please see the Administrator Certificate Summary and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Administrator Certificate
- Administrator Certificate Requirements. The certificate types, pathways, and requirements for the Administrator certificate title are listed on the Search Certification Requirements webpage and the application for this new certificate is available in the TEACH system as of January 29, 2025.
- Current SBL, SAS, SDA certificates. Individuals who hold a valid SBL, SAS, or SDA will not be required to obtain the new Administrator certificate by the Department, as those certificates will continue to be recognized in the future. However, they can choose to pursue the Administrator certificate if they wish.
- Individuals must apply and meet all requirements for the Initial SBL and/or Professional SDL certificates by January 1, 2031. The Professional and Initial Reissuance applications will continue to be available for the SBL title after that date.
Administrator Certificate Scope of Practice
An educational leader who has more than 25 percent of their assignment in a school level and/or district level administrative position, except a person serving as a school district business leader, must have the Administrator certificate.
Superintendent Extension Requirements
- Superintendent Extension. Candidates can obtain this extension by: (a) holding a valid Administrator certificate and completing 60 semester hours of graduate coursework, (b) holding a valid Administrator certificate and completing a registered extension program, or (c) qualifying through the “exceptionally qualified” pathway.
- Registered School Building Leader and School District Leader Programs. The Department will no longer register programs leading to the current School Building Leader and School District Leader certification on or after February 1, 2025. All registered programs leading to SBL and SDL certification will be discontinued on or after September 1, 2030.
Superintendent Extension Scope of Practice
The holder of this extension will serve in the roles of superintendent of schools, deputy superintendent of schools, associate superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent of schools, district superintendent, any equivalent titles in a board of educational cooperative services, or other superintendent of schools.
New York State Registered Educational Leadership Programs
- Administrator and Superintendent Extension Programs. New York State institutions of higher education can apply to register Administrator and Superintendent Extension Programs beginning January 29, 2025. The registration requirements for this program are posted on the Office of College and University Evaluation (OCUE) website.
- Registered School Building Leader and School District Leader Programs. The Department will no longer register programs leading to the current School Building Leader and School District Leader certification on or after February 1, 2025. All registered programs leading to SBL and SDL certification will be discontinued on or after September 1, 2030.