Standard Administrative Certificate
General Information
Who applies?
- The standard administrative certificate is for applicants who have completed a program for a qualifying administrative endorsement.
Where is it valid?
- A standard administrative certificate is valid for administering in all Nebraska school systems.
When does it expire?
- A standard administrative certificate is a 5-year certificate and expires September 30th in the fifth year following the year of issuance.
What are the requirements?
- An application and fee in TEACH (please note that registration for TEACH is required first; then an application can be submitted.)
- Fingerprints (required only if someone has lived outside of Nebraska in the past five years and has never held a Nebraska certificate or permit)
- Official Transcript(s)– If you are completing your program at a NEBRASKA institution, transcripts are not required
- If completing a program from out of state, transcripts must show a master’s degree in Educational Administration or Educational leadership or have received a subject area master’s degree with the completion of additional coursework in an approved program in the area(s) of endorsement sought by the application.
- Institutional Verification Form– This form is used to show that a program was completed. If you completed a program through a NEBRASKA institution, this form will be sent electronically by NDE.
- Out-of-State program completers- your program must meet our endorsement requirements of 36 credit hours. If they don’t meet our requirements, you will need to move to an alternative to complete the required credit hours.
- Educator Certificate- In order to obtain this certificate, you need to hold or qualify to hold a standard teaching certificate
- Employment Verification– This form is required for those who have employment experience in a school system outside of Nebraska.
- Human Relations Training
- Special Education Training
Renewals
If you have 0.5 FTE years of administrative experience in the last 5 years, you qualify to renew your Standard Administrative Certificate.
To renew without administrative experience before or after expiration, applicants need to obtain six semester credit hours of graduate level educational leadership coursework or participate in 90 hours of equivalent professional development as determined by their district.
If you have a job offer but do not hold a valid administrative certificate, you may qualify for our Alternative Program Administrative Permit.
FAQs
Is the content test a requirement?
- As of June 4th, 2025, the completion of the Praxis content test is no longer a requirement for a full certificate if you have completed your program through a college or university.
Where do I send my transcripts?
- If you are graduating from a Nebraska institution, you do not need to submit your transcripts for your administrative certificate. If you are completing a program out-of-state, you will need request that your institution send transcripts to us at nde.tcertweb@nebrsaka.gov.
I accidently applied for the wrong certificate but it won’t let me change it. How do I fix this?
- If you reach out to our office at nde.tcertweb@nebraska.gov and let us know, we can change over your application.
I have held an administrative certificate in another state, can I get reciprocity?
- Nebraska currently only has reciprocity for teaching certificates. To receive an administrative certificate in Nebraska, you will need to meet our requirements.
I don’t plan on taking a job in administration right after completing my program. Can I wait to apply?
- You may apply for your administrative certificate within 5 years of completing your program. After 5 years, you will need to obtain 6 semester credit hours or equivalent professional development in order to qualify.
Can I use an out-of-state program for my administrative degree?
- Yes, you will just need to make sure your program meets our endorsement requirements. If your program does not meet our requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative while you complete the Nebraska specific requirements.
Can I receive an administrative certificate without completing an administrative endorsement?
- No in order to obtain an administrative certificate, you need to complete one of the qualifying endorsements.
What if I see a job that I am interested in but have not completed my program?
- If you have at least 50% of your program completed for principal/special education director or 75% completed for superintendent, you may qualify for an alternative administrative permit.
Do I need to hold both an admin certificate and teaching certificate?
- Your admin certificate carries your teaching endorsements. If you hold an administrative certificate, you do not also need to hold a teaching certificate.
Would a superintendent endorsement allow me to be principal?
- A superintendent endorsement allows you to be a building leader in any capacity.
What do I do if I am not coded as an administrator through my district?
- If you are trying to renew but aren’t coded as an administrator, your district has the ability to request a code change or they may write a letter along with your contract to show that you do at least half-time work as an administrator. It is up to the district. If you don’t, there are additional ways that you can renew. Please see the renewal section for more information.