1. Certification of School Leaders

2. New Certification Requirements
Adopted by Board of Regents in June 2006 (Part 80 Regulations)
Companion piece to preparation program requirements (Part 52 Regulations)
Strengthens requirements for all school leaders in NYS public schools

3. New Initial & Professional Titles
Previous Title   New Title    
 School Administrator &  School Building Leader
Supervisor (SAS) (SBL)
 School District Administrator  School District Leader
(SDA) (SDL)
 School Business  School District Business
Administrator (SBA) Leader (SDBL)

4. Timeline First issue date for new certificates is September 1, 2006
Candidates must apply for and qualify for “old” certificates by September 1, 2007
Holders of Provisional certificates are eligible for Permanent even after September 1, 2007
Exception for SDA: Deadline extended to September 1, 2010 for candidates holding SBA to meet experience requirement
Assessment requirement is waived until tests become available

5. Certification Pathways
College program completion required for new certificates as of September 2, 2007
Individual (transcript) evaluation route is eliminated
SBL: Conditional Initial certificate available for out-of-state applicants
SDL & SDBL: Certificate endorsement available for out-of-state certificate holders

6. Certificate Endorsement
Available to experienced school district leaders and school district business leaders with equivalent out-of-state certificates
Requirements include master’s degree and 3 years of experience

7. Alternative Preparation
New alternative (Transitional D) certificate available for school district leaders matriculated in alternative certification programs
Requires employment commitment and district mentoring

8. Experience Requirement : School Building Leader (SBL)
Initial certification
Three years experience in classroom teaching and/or pupil personnel service
Professional certification
Three years school leadership experience (including one year mentored experience as school building leader)

9. Scope of Practice : School District Leader
Holder of SDL must also hold School Building Leader or School District Business Leader certificate to serve in positions covered by these titles
Limit in scope of practice changes past policy

10. Leadership Assessment
New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) Program assessments for school leaders required for SBL, SDL, and SDBL when available
First administration expected in fall of 2007
Assessment not required for college-recommended applicants before September 2, 2007

11. Professional Development
Required for all holders of Professional level certificates
Maintains validity of Professional certificate
175 hours every five years
Reduced requirement for certificate holders not employed in public schools
List of acceptable providers now expanded

12. More Information
This presentation summarizes the major provisions of the certification requirements for school leaders. It should not be construed as an exhaustive explanation of the regulation.
For more information and the full text of the regulation, visit the
Office of Teaching Initiatives Web site: