District of Columbia · Career guide
How to become a Principal in District of Columbia
Principals manage a school's instruction, operations, staff, family engagement, and student safety. The role typically requires 3-5 years of classroom teaching, a master's degree in educational leadership, completion of a state-approved principal preparation program, and passage of a state administrator licensure exam. Salaries materially exceed classroom-teacher pay (often by 40-70%) but the hours and accountability are correspondingly higher.
No principal / school leadership positions are open in District of Columbia right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in District of Columbia
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. District of Columbia typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
- Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) — Pedagogy and professional knowledge
Principal / administrator licensure is a distinct tier with its own preparation program and exam. Some states require an internship under a sitting principal as part of certification.
- Apply for your initial license through Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) →
- Job-search in District of Columbia. We'll track principal / school leadership openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in District of Columbia
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, District of Columbia offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- DC Teaching Fellows: Two-year residency program for career changers, especially in math, science, and special education
- Teach For America (DC region, active in DCPS and charter network placements)
- Capital Teaching Residency (Center City PCS / KIPP DC): Year-long residency leading to a charter teaching position
- Provisional Teaching License (Type I): Issued to candidates hired by a DC school while completing certification requirements in parallel
District of Columbia salary context
Average teacher salary in District of Columbia: $81,030/year (rank #5 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $56,313/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full District of Columbia salary guide for the breakdown.