200-RICR-20-20-1
200-RICR-20-20-1. Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (version Adoption, 09/08/2005 to 07/14/2010)
RHODE ISLAND
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
CERTIFICATE
The Superintendent certificate is valid for service as a Superintendent of Schools or Assistant
Superintendent of schools in the public schools of the State of Rhode Island.
I.
Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) – valid for three (3) years
The initial certificate in Rhode Island for all areas of certification is a CEE. The CEE is used to seek
regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island for the field identified on the CEE. The CEE is
also valid for service as a substitute teacher. If regular employment is not secured in the three (3)
year period, the CEE can be renewed every three (3) years (SEE NOTE ONE) until regular
employment is secured. To be issued a CEE as a superintendent an individual needs to satisfy all of
the following:
• An advanced degree - Doctorate, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, or a Master’s
Degree. All applicants shall present evidence of having completed not less than thirty-six
semester hours of graduate level course work to include work in each of the following areas:
School/Community Relations, Curriculum Construction, Organization and Administration of
Schools, Supervision of Instruction, Supervision and Evaluation of Professional Staff,
Educational Research, Program Evaluation, School Plant Planning, and School Finance.
• Eligibility for Rhode Island teacher’s certificate
• Eight years of documented educational experience to include both teaching and administration
II. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE - valid for five (5) years
• The professional certificate is issued to individuals who secure regular employment in the
schools of Rhode Island. Upon securing regular employment in Rhode Island, the CEE is
used to request a five (5) year professional certificate. When applying for a five (5) year
professional certificate the applicant must submit the CEE along with documentation from the
employing authority that regular employment has been secured in the certification area of the
CEE. Upon securing regular employment, the educator must write and get approved a five (5)
year Individual Professional Development Plan (I-Plan).
• The professional certificate may be renewed every five (5) years upon the successful
completion of an (I-Plan) that has been approved by the I-Plan Review Panel. Individuals who
have not served as a superintendent in Rhode Island for the five (5) year period are entitled to
an extension to the professional certificate (SEE NOTE TWO) at the end of each five (5) year
period without the completion of an I-Plan.
NOTE ONE (1): Individuals who do not renew their CEE within six (6) months from the date of
expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate
the expired certificate.
(OVER)
NOTE TWO (2): The five (5) year professional certificate requires the successful completion of an I-
Plan every five years for renewal for individuals who have been in regular employment for the five-
year term of the certificate. To be entitled to an extension of the professional certificate without the
completion of an I-Plan, educators must document their employment history during the previous five
(5) years. Educators holding regular employment who serve for less than 135 days during any school
year are entitled to a one (1) year extension of the professional certificate for each year of service
less than 135 days to complete their I-Plan. Educators who leave regular employment during the
term of the professional certificate are also entitled to an extension of the professional certificate for
the number of years not engaged in regular employment. Educators who return to regular
employment, must modify, if appropriate, the I-Plan on record and complete the five (5) year I-Plan
during the remaining term of the extended certificate.
Individuals who do not renew their Professional Certificate within six (6) months from the date of
expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate
the expired certificate.
Effective January 1, 2005