Certifications and permits for administrators

Connecticut offers administrators from other states or countries multiple paths to getting certification or authorization to work in our public school system. If you are from an enhanced reciprocity state (DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VA, VT), please visit this page. 

Initial Administrator Certificate

This 3-year certificate is for people who:

• Completed a regionally approved administrator preparation program, and
• Completed appropriate coursework and assessments, and
  Have at least five years of teaching experience

Provisional Administrator Certificate

This 8-year certificate is for people who:

• Meet all program, degree, and coursework requirements for an Initial administrative certificate, and
• Completed 20 or more school months of successful out-of-state administrative service under a valid certificate from that state during the previous ten years

You won’t have to take an assessment test. 

Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP)

This 12-month permit is for people who:

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completed 12 credit hours in the endorsement area
• Are enrolled in a CT-approved administrator preparation program or cross-endorsement program
• Have an Evidence of Enrollment form (ED 177) completed and mailed to us by the hiring school district and the certification office from the university

Interim Non-Renewable Initial Certificate

This 3-year certificate is for people who meet all requirements for initial certification other than testing.

You will have three years to pass required assessments.

Interim Non-Renewable Provisional Certificate:

This 3-year certificate is for people who:

• Meet all program, degree, and coursework requirements for an administrative certificate, and
• Completed 20 or more school months of successful out-of-state administrative service under a valid certificate from that state during the previous ten years 

You will have three years to pass required assessments.

Interim Initial Certificate

This 1-year certificate is for people who meet all requirements for administrative certification other than the course in special education.

You will have one year to complete outstanding coursework.

Interim Provisional Certificate

People who want to become administrators in Connecticut usually graduate from one of their state’s approved programs and pass an administrator assessment test. To get certified based on your education, you must:

• Successfully complete a state-approved planned program specific to school administration, resulting in an institutional recommendation for certification, and
• Pass a school administration assessment test
• Document sufficient teaching and/or administrative experience (30 months for endorsement #092 and 80 months for #093)

See the Guide to Assessments for Administrator Certification in Connecticut for additional information.