This page contains information for students who have completed or are completing a principal preparation or superintendent preparation program of The University of Iowa.

Application Instructions

STEP 1: Complete online application to Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)

See NOTES below for details on completing the online application.

  • Visit the BOEE Before You Begin web page.
  • Click "I Agree" to go to the online application
  • Log in or create an account
  • Click "New Application or Renew" to start a new application.
  • Complete Checklist: Click the "Complete Checklist" button to start.
  • Pay Fees: Click the "Pay Fees" button to start.
  • Review Application: Click the "Review Application" button to start.

STEP 2: Submit forms to Office of Student Services

Complete the following application materials.

  • Program Guide: Print, enter semester and year of completion of each course, sign, and date; then send to your adviser for signature.
  • Experience Verification: Please provide this form with signature from your school principal, documenting you have the teaching experience required for licensure as a principal (typically 3 years' teaching).

STEP 3: Return completed application materials from Step 2. 

Due to remote working arrangements, hand-delivered and mailed documents may be delayed. Please email documents as PDF files and direct questions to:

Email documents to: educ-licensure@uiowa.edu
DIrect questions to: Betsy Justis (319-467-4285) or David Tingwald (319-335-5360)

Office of Student Services
The University of Iowa
N201 Lindquist Center
Iowa City, IA  52242-1529
319-335-5360
fax: 319-335-5364

Notes on Completing Forms

Online Application for Licensure

  • Web Browser: Parts of the online application may not work with all web browsers. If you get a message that your browser is not supported, please try a different browser (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari).
  • Click "New Application or Renew" to start a new application.
    • Please select the type of application you would like to begin: Select "Apply for a new license"
    • Please Select the Professional Area in which you are applying: In the drop-down menu, select "Administration"
    • Please Select Application: In the drop-down menu, select "First Iowa Administrator License (Iowa Institution)"
    • You are About to Create the Following Application: Application: First Iowa Administrator License (Iowa Institution): "Continue" should be selected; click "Next," then "Finish" to go on to the next part of the application.
  • Pay Fees: Click the "Pay Fees" button to start. For most applicants who do not need a background check, total fees should be $88.00.
  • Review Application: Click the "Review Application" button to start. In the drop-down menu, select "University of Iowa."
    • "Applicant comments for signer": You can use this field to tell The University of Iowa's recommending official the endorsements for which you are applying.
    • Click "Finish" to submit the application.

STEP 1: Complete online application to Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)

See NOTES below for details on completing the online application.

  • Visit the BOEE Before You Begin web page.
  • Click "I Agree" to go to the online application
  • Log in or create an account
  • Click "New Application or Renew" to start a new application.
  • "Please select the type of application...": Select "Add Endorsement"
  • Select Application: In the drop-down menu, select "Add Administrator Endorsement (Iowa Institution)"
  • Complete Checklist: Click the "Complete Checklist" button to start.
  • Pay Fees: Click the "Pay Fees" button to start.
  • Review Application: Click the "Review Application" button to start.

STEP 2: Submit forms to Office of Student Services

Complete the following application materials.

  • Program Guide: Print, enter semester and year of completion of each course, sign, and date; then send to your adviser for signature.
  • Experience Verification: Please provide this form with signature from your school administration (typically the superintendent), documenting you have the administrative experience required for endorsement as a superintendent (typically 3 years' as a building principal).

STEP 3: Return completed application materials from Step 2.

Due to remote working arrangements, hand-delivered and mailed documents may be delayed. Please email documents as PDF files and direct questions to:

Email documents to: educ-licensure@uiowa.edu
DIrect questions to: Betsy Justis (319-467-4285) or David Tingwald (319-335-5360)

Office of Student Services
The University of Iowa
N201 Lindquist Center
Iowa City, IA  52242-1529
319-335-5360
fax: 319-335-5364

Notes on Completing Online Application

  • Web Browser: Parts of the online application may not work with all web browsers. If you get a message that your browser is not supported, please try a different browser (Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari).
  • Pay Fees: Click the "Pay Fees" button to start. For most applicants, total fees should be $53.00.
  • Review Application: Click the "Review Application" button to start. In the drop-down menu, select "University of Iowa."
    • "Applicant comments for signer": You can use this field to tell The University of Iowa's recommending official the endorsements for which you are applying.
    • Click "Finish" to submit the application.

Strongly Recommended to Apply

You are strongly encouraged to apply for the license or endorsement upon completion of your program, even if you don't intend to serve as an administrator in Iowa. Application for this license validates completion of the current University of Iowa approved program. The program you have just completed is currently on file and approved by the Iowa Department of Education.

Apply as soon as you are eligible. As programs or licensure requirements change, you will eventually become ineligible for the license or endorsement. It is much easier to renew than to meet a new set of program requirements. It is not usually necessary to renew this license unless you are teaching in this State. Holding an Iowa license is frequently beneficial when making application for licensure in another state.

Licensure in Other States

The University of Iowa is the "Recommending Institution" for all approved programs completed at The University of Iowa. Out-of-state licensure/certification applications frequently require a recommendation from the "Recommending Institution" signed by the Registrar, Dean, or Certification Official. These applications relating to administrator preparation should be sent to Dave Tingwald for processing.