Overview: Individuals who hold the title of Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Associate Superintendent and who perform duties directly relevant to curriculum, instruction, certified employee evaluations, and instructional supervision may obtain a Superintendent certificate. The Interim Superintendent certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years.
The candidate must be enrolled in an Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to the administrator certification program, or an Arizona State Board-approved administrator preparation program.
An individual is not eligible to hold the interim administrative certificate more than once in a five-year period.
Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-606; R7-2-621; R7-2-607; R-2-601.01; R7-2-616 (A)(G).
To qualify for this certificate applicants must meet the requirements under the Initial Application Checklist.
A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.
Submit the following:
Application: A completed Application for Certification.
Fee: The fee for this certificate is $60. Per Board rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
Masters Degree: Official Transcripts documenting a masters or more advanced degree.
Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agencies" list.
Program Verification Letter: Letter of verification, signed by the dean or department chair of a college of education, indicating enrollment in an Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to the administrator certification program, or an Arizona State Board-approved administrator preparation program.
District Verification Letter: Letter of verification, signed by a District Superintendent or Personnel Director, indicating the holder of the interim certificate will be under the direct supervision of an Arizona-certified district superintendent or the county school superintendent.
The Interim Superintendent, PreK-12 Certificate may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years. There is no fee to apply for an extension of the Interim Principal certificate.
Initial Issuance: Qualification for the initial issuance of the Interim Principal certificate.
Program Verification Letter: Letter of verification, signed by the dean or department chair of a college of education, indicating the certificate holder is making adequate progress in the Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to the administrator certification program, or an Arizona State Board-approved administrator preparation program.
District Verification Letter: Letter of verification, signed by a District Superintendent or Personnel Director, indicating the holder of the interim certificate will be under the direct supervision of an Arizona-certified district superintendent or the county school superintendent.
Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority
Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected].
Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to: Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit PO Box 6490 Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490.
District Verification Letter: Letter of verification, signed by a District Superintendent or Personnel Director, indicating the holder of the interim certificate will be under the direct supervision of an Arizona-certified district superintendent or the county school superintendent. Submit to [email protected].
Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant
AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
Program Verification Letter: A letter verifying enrollment in an Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to the administrator certification program, or an Arizona State Board-approved administrator preparation program.
The letter must be signed by the appropriate designee from the administrator preparation program and may be submitted with the application.
Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes.