Top 10 Vice Principal Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for vice principals. Certifications demonstrate that a vice principal has the necessary qualifications and expertise to be successful in their role. They provide evidence of a vice principal's knowledge, skills, and experience in educational leadership, which can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for positions. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement and professional development. Having certifications can also lead to higher salaries and more competitive job offers. Finally, certifications can serve as validation that a vice principal is committed to their role and is capable of meeting the demands of the position.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the benefits of some of the top certifications for Vice Principals, demonstrating how they can help to further their career.

What are Vice Principal Certifications?

Vice principal certification is a professional development program designed to help prepare school administrators for the role of vice principal. This certification program provides aspiring vice principals with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage and lead school staff, students, and parents. Through this program, participants will gain an understanding of educational leadership and management, as well as topics such as curriculum development, budgeting, personnel management, student behavior management, and communication techniques.

This certification can help those who wish to become a vice principal by providing them with the necessary skills to excel in their position. Having a vice principal certification can demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge and experience required for successful school administration. It can also provide them with opportunities for career advancement or a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Vice principals are responsible for many important tasks within schools including overseeing staff members, developing and implementing policies and procedures, monitoring student progress and performance, resolving conflicts between staff members or students, evaluating teacher performance, providing support services to students in need of additional assistance, and more. Having a vice principal certification allows individuals to demonstrate their qualifications in these areas.

Pro Tip: When pursuing vice principal certification, be sure to research the requirements for your particular state or district to ensure that you meet all of the necessary qualifications. Additionally, seek out professional development opportunities and build relationships with local educational organizations to stay up-to-date on best practices in school administration.

Related: What does a Vice Principal do?

Top 10 Vice Principal Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Vice Principals today.

1. National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Certified Vice Principal

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Certified Vice Principal is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of vice principals. This certification is designed to demonstrate the highest level of expertise in the field of secondary school administration.

In order to obtain this certification, an individual must have at least three years of successful experience as a vice principal or equivalent position in a public or private school setting. The candidate must also possess a master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must pass the NASSP National Certified Vice Principal Examination.

The examination consists of two parts: Part I covers general topics such as school law, finance, curriculum development, and personnel management; Part II focuses on specific areas such as student services, discipline, special education, and technology. Candidates must complete both parts within two years in order to receive their certification.

The cost for taking the exam is $375 for members of NASSP and $475 for non-members. The fee includes all materials needed to take the exam and access to study resources provided by NASSP. After passing the exam, candidates will be recognized with a certificate from NASSP acknowledging their achievement as a National Certified Vice Principal.

2. International Association of Secondary School Principals (IASSP) Certified Vice Principal

The International Association of Secondary School Principals (IASSP) Certified Vice Principal is a professional credential for vice principals. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills that vice principals need to be successful in their roles. The certification process requires that applicants demonstrate their understanding of the core competencies and responsibilities of a vice principal, including school leadership, curriculum design, instructional strategies, staff development, and student management.

To obtain the IASSP Certified Vice Principal credential, applicants must complete an online application and pass an online assessment. The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as school leadership, curriculum design, instructional strategies, staff development, and student management. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in these areas.

The cost of the IASSP Certified Vice Principal credential varies depending on the applicant's level of experience. For those with no prior experience in school administration or leadership roles, the cost is $395 USD. For those with some experience in these areas, the cost is $495 USD.

In total, it can take between 4-6 weeks to complete the process and receive your certification.

3. American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Certified Vice Principal

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Certified Vice Principal (CVP) is a professional certification program for school administrators. It is designed to recognize the unique knowledge and skills required to be an effective vice principal in today’s educational environment. The CVP certification provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities of a vice principal, as well as the necessary leadership skills to effectively manage a school.

To obtain the CVP certification, applicants must complete an online application process and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as school law, curriculum development, staff management, budgeting and finance, communication strategies, student discipline, and more. Once applicants have successfully completed the exam, they will receive their CVP certificate.

The cost to become AASA Certified Vice Principal varies depending on the applicant's state or country of residence. Generally speaking, it costs around $100-$150 USD for US residents and around $200-$250 USD for international applicants. Additionally, there are other fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees and proctor fees that may apply.

The amount of time it takes to become AASA Certified Vice Principal depends on how quickly you can complete all requirements including studying for and passing the exam. Generally speaking, it takes between two weeks and two months to become certified depending on your level of preparation and commitment to completing all requirements in a timely manner.

4. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Certified Vice Principal

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Certified Vice Principal certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of an individual to serve as a vice principal in K-12 schools. This certification is designed to demonstrate the competency of a vice principal in leading school improvement initiatives, managing personnel and resources, and creating learning environments that promote student success.

To become CAEP Certified Vice Principal, individuals must meet certain requirements including:

• Hold a valid state teaching license or equivalent
• Have at least three years of successful teaching experience
• Have completed six semester hours of coursework in educational administration or leadership
• Pass the CAEP Vice Principal Certification Exam
• Successfully complete an approved mentorship program
• Submit an application for certification with documentation verifying qualifications and completion of all requirements

The cost for the CAEP Certified Vice Principal Certification varies depending on the state in which you are applying. Generally speaking, it will cost between $300-$500 to apply for the certification. The time frame to obtain this certification can vary from state to state but typically takes between 6-9 months from start to finish.

5. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certified Vice Principal

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certified Vice Principal is a certification program designed to recognize and reward excellence in school leadership. It is the highest level of recognition for vice principals, and it indicates that a person has achieved the highest standards of professional practice.

The NBPTS Certified Vice Principal certification process takes approximately two years to complete. The process includes completing an application, submitting a portfolio, participating in a one-day assessment center, and passing an online exam.

To become certified as an NBPTS Certified Vice Principal, applicants must meet certain requirements. These include having at least three years of experience as a vice principal or school administrator, holding a master’s degree in educational leadership or administration from an accredited institution, and demonstrating expertise in areas such as curriculum development, instruction management, student learning outcomes, and organizational leadership.

The cost of becoming an NBPTS Certified Vice Principal varies depending on the state where you live. Generally speaking, the cost can range from $1,000 to $2,500. This includes application fees and other associated costs such as travel expenses for attending the assessment center and taking the online exam.

6. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Certified Vice Principal

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Certified Vice Principal is a professional certification program that is designed to recognize the accomplishments of vice principals and their commitment to excellence in school leadership. This certification program is offered by ASCD, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in education.

The Certified Vice Principal program requires applicants to have at least three years of experience as a vice principal or equivalent position, and they must demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as curriculum development, instructional leadership, school management, and professional development. In addition, applicants must complete a portfolio of evidence-based activities that demonstrate their competency in these areas.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the requirements for the Certified Vice Principal program. The cost of the program varies depending on which option you choose – either online or face-to-face instruction – but it generally ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

To get started with the Certified Vice Principal program, applicants should visit the ASCD website for more information about the program requirements and how to apply.

7. National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) Certified Vice Principal

The National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) Certified Vice Principal program is an online professional development program designed to help school leaders develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful vice principals. The program consists of six modules that cover topics such as understanding the role of the vice principal, developing relationships with staff and students, managing conflict, and leading change. The course takes approximately eight months to complete and costs $1,995.

To get the NISL Certified Vice Principal certification, you must complete all six modules within eight months. Each module consists of self-paced learning activities such as readings, videos, activities, and discussions. You will also need to complete a final project that demonstrates your mastery of the material covered in the course. Upon completion of all six modules and successful completion of the final project, you will receive your NISL Certified Vice Principal certification.

8. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Certified Vice Principal

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) Certified Vice Principal (CVP) is a professional credential for school administrators. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and experience of those who serve as vice principals in K-12 schools. The CVP certification is valid for five years and is renewable upon completion of required continuing education activities.

To become AERA Certified Vice Principal, applicants must have a minimum of three years of administrative experience at the vice principal level and meet other requirements such as passing the AERA Certification Exam and completing an approved professional development program. The exam covers topics related to school administration such as curriculum, instruction, assessment, personnel management, budgeting, legal issues, technology, and more.

The cost of becoming AERA Certified Vice Principal varies depending on the individual's educational background and experience. Generally speaking, it can cost between $500-$1,000 to complete the certification process. This includes the cost of taking the exam ($150), completing an approved professional development program ($200-$400), and any additional fees associated with continuing education activities ($150-$500).

9. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Certified Vice Principal

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Certified Vice Principal is a professional certification program that is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of vice principals. The certification is based on standards set by the NCATE, which are designed to ensure that vice principals have the necessary skills and knowledge to be effective school administrators.

In order to become NCATE Certified, a vice principal must complete a series of courses and assessments. These include an orientation course, a leadership course, an assessment of professional practice, and an assessment of student learning outcomes. The courses can be completed online or in person at an approved institution. Once all requirements are met, the candidate must pass a comprehensive examination administered by NCATE.

The cost of becoming NCATE Certified varies depending on the institution offering the courses and assessments. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 for all required courses and assessments. It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete all requirements for certification.

Once certified, vice principals may use their credentials to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in school administration and leadership. They may also receive salary increases or other benefits from their employers as recognition for their achievement.

10. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certified Vice Principal

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certified Vice Principal is a professional certification that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of educational technology. This certification is designed to help school administrators, district leaders, and other education professionals build their capacity to effectively lead digital transformation initiatives within their organizations.

In order to become ISTE Certified Vice Principal, individuals must complete a rigorous application process which includes passing an online assessment and submitting documentation of their experience in educational technology leadership. The assessment consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as instructional design, technology integration, data analysis, and digital citizenship.

The application process typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete. Once the application has been approved by ISTE, applicants will receive their official certification badge which can be used on resumes and other professional documents.

The cost of the ISTE Certified Vice Principal certification varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $150-$350 USD.

Do You Really Need a Vice Principal Certificate?

The answer to this question is highly dependent on one’s individual career goals and educational background. Generally, a vice principal certificate is not required in order to become a vice principal; however, it can be beneficial in some cases.

A vice principal certificate may be useful for those who are looking to move into administrative positions within the education system, as it provides evidence of an understanding of the policies and procedures associated with school management. In addition, for those who want to gain leadership roles within schools or districts, having a vice principal certificate could be beneficial. It demonstrates that the individual has received training in how to lead and manage staff effectively.

For those already employed as a vice principal, having a certificate may help when applying for future positions or promotions. Even if the position does not require such credentials, having them can demonstrate dedication and commitment to professional development and education.

Ultimately, whether or not one needs a vice principal certificate will depend on their particular career goals and educational background; however, there are many potential benefits that come with obtaining such certification.

Related: Vice Principal Resume Examples

FAQs About Vice Principal Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a vice principal?

Answer: To become a vice principal, you will generally need to have at least a master's degree in education and several years of teaching experience. Many states also require school administrators to hold a valid administrator certification or license.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a vice principal?

Answer: The time frame to obtain certification can vary depending on the state and the type of certification required. Generally, the process can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

3. What is the cost of getting certified as a vice principal?

Answer: The cost for obtaining certification for vice principals varies depending on the state, but it typically ranges from $100-$3000 USD including fees for tests and application processing.

4. Are there any online courses available for becoming certified as a vice principal?

Answer: Yes, many universities offer online courses in educational leadership that are applicable towards obtaining certification as a vice principal.

5. What types of jobs can I get with a vice principal certification?

Answer: With a vice principal certification, you may be qualified for positions such as assistant principals, school district administrators, curriculum directors, and other school-based leadership roles.