How do I become an NYC Public Schools Principal?
The NYC Public Schools is always seeking talented educators to lead and transform NYC public schools. If you are an outstanding educator who aspires to lead a school where all students succeed, learn how to become a principal here.
What is the Principal Candidate Pool?
The Principal Candidate Pool is the mandated screening process for aspiring principals for NYC schools, as outlined in Chancellor's Regulation C-30, which governs the selection, assignment, and appointment of all principals.
The PCP process ensures consistent, standards-based criteria for citywide hiring decisions by:
- Aligning the screening process to clear, high standards consistent with the expectations for which principals will be held accountable. Learn more: Education Law 3012c.
- Offering a unique opportunity to ground every prospective school leader in the expectations for school leadership in NYCPS.
- Providing hiring managers with a multi-dimensional Candidate Profile Report to help enhance strategic placement and hiring decisions for principal vacancies.
You do not need to be in the Principal Candidate Pool to apply for Assistant Principal positions. For more information on AP positions: Openings for Assistant Principals.
What is the Principal Candidate Pool?
The Principal Candidate Pool is the mandated screening process for aspiring principals for NYC schools, as outlined in Chancellor's Regulation C-30, which governs the selection, assignment, and appointment of all principals.
The PCP process ensures consistent, standards-based criteria for citywide hiring decisions by:
- Aligning the screening process to clear, high standards consistent with the expectations for which principals will be held accountable. Learn more: Education Law 3012c.
- Offering a unique opportunity to ground every prospective school leader in the expectations for school leadership in NYCPS.
- Providing hiring managers with a multi-dimensional Candidate Profile Report to help enhance strategic placement and hiring decisions for principal vacancies.
You do not need to be in the Principal Candidate Pool to apply for Assistant Principal positions. For more information on AP positions: Openings for Assistant Principals.
What is the C-30 process?
Chancellor's Regulation C-30 defines the hiring process for principals and assistant principals. C-30 Process Records are reports generated during principals' and assistant principals' C-30 hiring process. If you have further questions regarding the C-30 process, you may email the Office of Supervisory Support at SupervisorySupport@schools.nyc.gov, or contact the Human Resources Director at your borough field office.
What are the eligibility requirements?
PCP Series
Principal Candidate Pool conducts approximately fifteen (15) Screening Series each year. A series includes successful completion of online screening tasks within a timebound assessment window. Candidates are required to complete all components in the PCP process.
Eligibility Requirements for the Principal Candidate Pool (PCP)
- New York State Administrative License
- School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) - historical license
- School District Administrator (SDA) - historical license
- School Building Leader (SBL)
- Seven (7) or more years of pedagogical experience as outlined in Chancellor's Regulation C-30.
Note: The SDL certification does not meet the requirements for PCP or school building leader positions.
To learn more about NY State school leader certifications see NYSED School Leader Certification or Principal, AP, and Administrator Certificates (SBL, SDL, SAS).
How do I become a member of the Principal Candidate Pool?
To become a member of the Principal Candidate Pool you must first complete the PCP application. To apply to the Principal Candidate Pool, you must complete and submit a School Leader Candidate Profile application via the Teacher Support Network (TSN) application portal.
Candidates must submit the application and receive a confirmation email from PrincipalCandidatePool@schools.nyc.gov to be eligible to register for a series.
Series Registration
Eligible applicants receive an email invitation to register for a Principal Candidate Pool Screening Series. The invitation includes dates, time, and expectations of a Series. Invitation is based on the queue of applicants and the capacity of upcoming series. After successful registration for a series, candidates receive a confirmation email with next steps from PrincipalCandidatePool@schools.nyc.gov.
Series Participation
Candidates are expected to submit all online screening tasks within the given timeframe for successful completion of the PCP process.
Next Steps
After candidates complete the Principal Candidate Pool process, they receive a Candidate Profile Report and are assigned to the pool. At that time, candidates are able to view and apply for principal vacancy postings.
To learn more about applying to school-specific principal positions: Openings for Principals. For more information on how to become a principal, visit: Becoming a Principal.
For other questions regarding the Principal Candidate Pool, contact: principalcandidatepool@schools.nyc.gov.
Preparation Programs and Supports for Aspiring Principals
To learn more about what NYCPS and the Office of Leadership have to offer for aspiring school leaders:
Visit: Office of Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (LEAD)
Contact: leadershippathways@schools.nyc.gov
How do I apply for Principal vacancies?
Before you can apply to any principal vacancies, you must become a member of the Principal Candidate Pool by following the steps in the sections above. Only candidates who are assigned to the Principal Candidate Pool can access principal vacancies.
Candidates for principal positions apply through the Teacher Support Network (TSN) online application.
To Apply
If you have previously used TSN to apply for a supervisory title:
- Log in to TSN using your username and password.
- Use your profile to apply for specific vacancies. Submit a separate application for each vacancy.
If you have never used TSN to apply for a supervisory title:
- Access the TSN online application system.
- Click the Register Now button on the school leader login page.
- If you have previously used TSN to apply for a non-supervisory position (for example, teacher, pupil personnel titles, lead teacher, master teacher, or substitute teacher), register using the same information, including the email address and password, that you use for your existing non-supervisory application.
- Create a School Leader/Supervisory Candidate Profile.
- The profile should take you 30-40 minutes to complete.
- You may edit your profile information at any time. The updates will be populated to all applications you have submitted.
- While you are completing the School Leader/Supervisory Candidate Profile, you may see the following error message:
- The following errors occurred: Date Available for Employment is earlier than today.
- If this error occurs, you must change the “Date Available for Employment” in your non-supervisory application to a date in the future (try next week, just to be sure). If you are unable to edit the content of your application, contact TSN's Technical Support team for assistance. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM and can be reached at 1-877-DO-TEACH (368-3224).
- Use the School Leader/Supervisory Candidate Profile you have created for all applications you submit in TSN. Submit a separate application for each vacancy you wish to apply for.
Notes about Vacancies
Principal vacancies are generally posted on the 1st and 16th of each month, and are open for at least 15 calendar days. Posting dates may be adjusted for holidays or weekends. For more information, please refer to the attachment "2023-24 AP & Principal Vacancy Posting Calendar" at the bottom of the page.
Vacancies always open and close promptly at 3 PM. The online application consists of a resume and a tailored cover letter addressing two specific questions.
What happens if I receive a job offer?
Once you have accepted an offer for a Principal position, you will receive an email that will instruct you to complete documents in the Applicant Gateway online system. NYCPS applicants use the Applicant Gateway to complete all of the required pre-employment tasks to begin working for the NYC Public Schools. You will not have access to the Applicant Gateway system until you have been nominated for the position.