New Jersey Department of Education

Principal Certificate of Eligibility

Endorsement Code: 0200

This endorsement authorizes the holder to be employed in a position that involves services as an administrative officer of a school or other comparable unit within a school or district in public schools in grades preschool through grade 12. Positions include principal, assistant principal, vice principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and director.

Master's Degree

Complete one of the following:

  • A master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university in educational leadership, in curriculum and instruction, or in one of the recognized fields of leadership or management;
  • A master’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete a post-master’s program resulting in a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and supervision;
  • A master’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete a post-master’s program in a coherent sequence of 30 semester hour credits. The study must be completed at one institution in the fields outlined above; or
  • A master’s degree from an appropriate nationally accredited program in educational leadership from an out-of-state college or university.

All credits/degree(s) must appear on an accredited four-year college/university transcript.

Required Graduate Study

A minimum of 30 graduate credits, either within the master’s program or in addition to it, aligned with the Professional Standards for School Leaders set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.4.

If you have completed a program in an area other than educational leadership, you must submit both official college catalog course descriptions for review and an original letter from the department chairperson at the college or university outlining the course or courses in which the areas above are included. All graduate credits must appear on a nationally accredited four-year college/university transcript.

Internship Requirement

Complete a 300-hour internship in educational leadership aligned to the professional standards for school leaders in N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.4 in accordance with the roles and responsibilities as a principal, independent of other course requirements. This internship either must appear on a transcript from a four-year accredited college or university or be certified by a Commissioner-approved program for preparing school principals.

As part of your application for this endorsement, the educational leadership department chairperson from the university where your program was completed must submit the hours and assignment of your internship experience. An electronic Verification of Program Completion (VOPC) form will be automatically sent to them once you provide their contact information in the application.

Praxis II Test Requirement

Certificate Requirement

A valid provisional or standard New Jersey or equivalent out-of-state instructional, educational services or administrative certificate.

Experience Requirement

Complete five years of successful educational experience under a valid provisional or standard New Jersey or equivalent out-of-state certificate.

As part of your application for this endorsement, your employer(s) must submit an electronic Record of Professional Experience (ROPE) form documenting your employment. This form will automatically be sent to them once you provide their contact information in the application. The New Jersey Department of Education will make the final determination as to whether or not the experience meets New Jersey regulations.


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