Ariz. Admin. Code § R7-2-616.02 - Interim Administrative Certificates

A. Except as noted, all certificates are subject to the general certification provisions in R7-2-607.

B. The certificate authorizes the holder to serve an administrator while completing the requirements for a standard administrator certificate.

C. Interim administrative certificates are valid for one year and may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years at no cost to the certificate holder if the requirements in subsection (I) are met.

D. An individual is not eligible for issuance of an interim administrative certificate more than once in a five-year period.

E. Interim administrative certificate holders shall be enrolled in a Board approved alternative administrator preparation program, a Board approved locally based leadership preparation program, or a Board approved traditional administrator preparation program.

F. Interim Supervisor Certificate - grades PreK through 12:

1. The Interim Supervisor Certificate authorizes the holder for a position in which the primary responsibility is administering instructional programs, supervising certified personnel, or similar administrative duties. An individual who is enrolled in a locally-based school leadership program shall be limited to a supervisor position at the school-level.

2. The requirements are:

a. A valid Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate, Career and Technical Education Certificate, Classroom-Based Standard Teaching Certificate, Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate, Specialized Secondary Teaching Certificate or an other professional certificate established in R7-2-617; and

b. A bachelor's or more advanced degree; and

c. Verification of three years of full-time teaching or related education services experience in a PreK through grade 12 setting; and

d. Verification of enrollment in a Board approved alternative administrator preparation program, a Board approved locally based school leadership program, or a Board approved administrator preparation program; and

e. Verification that the certificate holder will be employed as an administrator and will be under the direct supervision of an Arizona certified administrator or the appropriate county school superintendent; and

f. A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

G. Interim Principal Certificate - grades PreK through 12

1. The Interim Principal certificate authorizes the holder to administer instructional programs, supervise certified personnel, perform the duties, hold the title of principal or assistant principal as delineated in A.R.S. Title 15, and perform similar administrative duties. An individual who is enrolled in a locally-based school leadership program shall be limited to an administrative position at the school-level.

2. The requirements are:

a. A bachelor's or more advanced degree; and

b. Verification of three years of full-time teaching in grades PreK through 12; and

c. Verification of enrollment in a Board approved alternative administrator preparation program, a Board approved locally based school leadership program, or a Board approved administrator preparation program; and

d. Verification that the certificate holder will be employed as a principal or assistant principal under the direct supervision of an Arizona certified principal, an Arizona certified superintendent, or the appropriate county school superintendent; and

e. A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

H. Interim Superintendent Certificate - Grades PreK through 12:

1. The superintendent certificate is optional, but may be required by local governing boards for individuals who hold the title or perform the duties of a superintendent, assistant superintendent or associate superintendent and who perform duties directly relevant to curriculum, instruction, certified employee evaluations, and instructional supervision

2. The requirements are:

a. A master's degree or more advanced degree;

b. Three years of verified full-time teaching experience or related education services experience in a PreK through 12 setting;

c. Verification of enrollment in a Board approved alternative path to administrator certification program, or a Board approved administrator preparation program;

d. Verification that the holder of the interim certificate shall be employed as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or associate superintendent and working under the direct supervision of an Arizona certified superintendent or the appropriate county school superintendent; and

e. A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

I. Interim Administrative Certificate Extension

1. The Interim Administrative certificate may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years at no cost to the applicant.

2. The requirements to extend an Interim Administrative Certificate are:

a. Qualification and issuance of the initial Interim Administrative certificate;

b. Verification from the Board approved program provider that the applicant is enrolled and has made adequate progress towards completion of the Board approved alternative administrator preparation program, Board approved locally based leadership preparation program, or Board approved traditional administrator preparation program;

c. Verification that the holder meets the employment and supervision requirements for the Interim Administrative certificate as described in subsection (F)(2)(e), (G)(2)(d), and (H)(2)(d); and

d. A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

J. The holder of an interim administrative certificate may apply for the appropriate Arizona standard administrative certificate with verification of the following:

1. Successful completion of the Board approved alternative path to administrator certification program, Board approved locally based leadership program, or Board approved administrator preparation program; and

2. A passing score on the required portion of the Arizona Administrator Proficiency Assessment; and

3. A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

4. Individuals who have completed a locally based leadership program shall also submit verification from the superintendent of a school district or the principal of a charter school that the applicant has made satisfactory progress in the program sequence and model, which may include professional evaluations, observations of the applicant, student achievement data and demonstration of competencies, skills and knowledge associated with the relevant school leadership position.

K. Interim Administrative Certificates - Public Health Emergency

1. Notwithstanding this Section, an Interim Administrative Certificate entitling the holder to serve as a supervisor, principal, or superintendent may be issued to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

a. Completion of all requirements for the Standard Professional Supervisor, Standard Professional Principal, or Standard Professional Superintendent certificate, as described in subsection (B)(2), (C)(2), and (D)(2), with the exception of a passing score on the Arizona Administrator Proficiency Assessment.

b. Verification that the applicant was unable to take the Arizona Administrator Proficiency Assessment required for the Standard Professional Administrative certificate as the result of a public health emergency declared by the governor or a public health official.

2. A certificate issued pursuant to this subsection shall be issued for one year and shall not be renewed or extended.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R7-2-616.02

New Section made by final exempt rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 183, effective 12/9/2022.