(1) To obtain a superintendent endorsement an applicant must provide verification of all of the following:

(a) an education specialist, masterʹs, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in education or education leadership;

(b) completion of an accredited professional educator preparation program as defined in ARM 10.57.102 for superintendents;

(c) a minimum of 18 semester graduate credits in a school administrator preparation program, of which 12 must be beyond the masterʹs degree in education leadership and include three credits in each of the following:

(i) Montana school law;

(ii) Montana school finance; and

(iii) Montana collective bargaining and employment law;

(d) a minimum of three years of teaching experience as an appropriately licensed teacher;

(e) licensure and endorsement as a principal (P-12); and

(f) a minimum of one year of administrative experience as an appropriately licensed principal or one year of a supervised Board of Public Education approved administrative internship as a superintendent.

(2) Applicant must also submit a recommendation for the endorsement requested from the appropriate official from an accredited professional superintendent program.