OAR 584-235-0050
Reciprocal Administrator License


(1) Purpose of the License: The Reciprocal Administrator License is a license that qualifies its holder to serve as a school administrator in a prekindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school district or education service district. The purpose of the Reciprocal Administrator License is to allow an out-of-state or out-of-country licensed administrator to transition into the Oregon licensure system based on the credentials they earned in the other jurisdiction.
(2) Out of State or Out-of-Country License Reciprocity: An out of state or out-of-country school administrator license alone does not authorize the applicant to work as an administrator in Oregon public schools.
(a) The out-of-state or out-of-country license is used only as a basis for qualifying for the Reciprocal Administrator License.
(b) The out-of-state or out-of-country licensed applicant must apply for and receive the Reciprocal Administrator License, or another Oregon non-provisional school administrator license for which the applicant qualifies, prior to employment in any Oregon public school, school district or education service district as a school administrator.
(3) Out-of-State License Holders:
(a) An applicant must hold a valid and active out-of-state non-provisional license for school administration from a NASDTEC jurisdiction prior to qualifying for an Oregon non-provisional school administrator license.
(b) If an applicant only holds an expired out-of-state school administrator license, the applicant must first reinstate their school administrator license from a NASTDEC jurisdiction prior to qualifying for the Reciprocal Administrator License or any other non-provisional Oregon school administrator license.
(c) Fully-qualified Out-of-State License Holders: If an applicant with a valid and active non-provisional out-of-state license fully qualifies for a Principal or Professional Administrator licenses, the applicant may bypass the Reciprocal Administrator License and apply immediately for the other license. To qualify for a non-provisional Oregon administrator license upon first application, the applicant must meet all of the requirements in subsections (8) and (9) of this rule.
(4) Scope of License: An administrator license is required to perform school administrator duties, as provided in 584-235-0010 (Scope and Responsibilities of School Administrators) Scope of Oregon Administrator Licenses.
(5) Term of Licensure: The Reciprocal Administrator License is valid for 18 months and expires 18 months from the date of issue. It is not renewable. Prior to the expiration of the Reciprocal Administrator License, an applicant must meet the next license requirements in subsection (9) of this rule.
(6) Assignments: The Reciprocal Administrator License qualifies the holder to accept in an Oregon public school district or education service district:
(a) Any building-level administrator assignment;
(b) Any district-level administrator assignment. Some applicants may be required to hold an LCA for Professional Administrator License on their Reciprocal Administrator License, as provided in subsection (7); and
(c) Any substitute teaching assignment.
(7) District-Level Assignments: If an applicant or holder of a Reciprocal Administrator License is employed in a district-level position and the applicant held a building-level or principal license in the other state, the applicant may be required to hold an LCA for the Professional Administrator License on their Reciprocal Administrator License.
(8) Applying for License: To be eligible to apply for a Reciprocal Administrator License, an out-of-state or out-of-country applicant must:
(a) Have never held an Oregon non-provisional school administrator license or completed an Oregon school administrator preparation program;
(b) Possess the personal qualifications for licensure including attainment of at least eighteen years of age and possessing good moral character and mental and physical health necessary for employment as an educator;
(c) Hold a master’s or higher degree in the arts and sciences or an advanced degree in the professions from an Approved Institution in the United States or approved foreign equivalent;
(d) Submit official transcripts to verify the completion of the administrator preparation program from a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) jurisdiction or a foreign program evaluated as satisfactory by the Commission. Completion of alternative route school administrator programs resulting in licensure through school districts or other alternative routes are subject to the approval of the Director of Licensure;
(e) Hold one of the following:
(A) A valid and active non-provisional school administrator license from another NASDTEC jurisdiction, valid for unrestricted full-time school administrator assignments; or
(B) Meet the requirements for preparation, as provided in 584-200-0090 (Preparation in Another Country), Preparation in Another Country;
(f) Complete a background clearance that includes:
(A) Furnishing fingerprints, if required;
(B) Providing satisfactory responses to character questions in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission; and
(g) Submit a complete and correct application in the form and manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as provided in 584-200-0050 (Fees).
(9) Next License: Prior to the expiration of the Reciprocal Administrator License, an applicant must:
(a) Apply for and meet the requirements for a Principal or Professional Administrator License;
(b) Meet the requirements for knowledge of U.S. and Oregon civil rights laws and professional ethics; and
(c) Meet the requirements for Oregon school law and Oregon school finance.

Source: Rule 584-235-0050 — Reciprocal Administrator License, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=584-235-0050.

Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 584-235-0050’s source at or​.us