Requirements Necessary to Become a School Business Official

The position of School Business Official is unique in New York State since individuals seeking to become Business Officials can pursue one of two options. They can qualify under Education Law by possessing a School District Administrator (SDA), School Business Administrator (SBA), or  School District Business Leader (SDBL) certification through the New York State Education Department or they may enter classified civil service by passing a written exam under the auspices of the local county civil service commission.

Certified School Business Official

Common Job Titles: Assistant Superintendent or Business Administrator

The State Education Department no longer issues the SDA or SBA certifications. Candidates seeking certification as a schol business official must now pursue the SDBL certification. 

Educational Requirements for the School District Business Leader (SDBL) Certification

• Completion of higher education school business program registered with the State Education Department as an approved program leading to the SDBL certification
• The approved program requires an academic accumulation of a BA degree plus 60 graduate credit hours including a Master's Degree. Twenty four (24) hours of the 60 graduate credit hours must be in education administration.
• Endorsement of the candidate by the higher education program of completion
• Completion of an approved internship
• Passage of the state administered SDBL certifying exam

SDBL Renewal Requirements

The SDBL certificate is granted for a five-year period. The certificate can be renewed following completion of 175 hours of accepted continuing education during the certification period.

Classified School Business Official

Common Job Titles: Business Manager or Business Executive

Educational Requirements

Requirements vary among local civil service commissions. Usually requires a BA degree.

Successful candidates must take an exam (administered by the local civil service commission) to qualify for placement on the local civil service commission’s hireability list for the appropriate title(s) for school business official

Experience

Requirement set by the local civil service commission

Further information and assistance regarding the role of a School Business Official may be obtained by contacting the office of the Executive Director of the New York State Association of School Business Officials, 7 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207 or call (518) 434-2281. E-mail: asbomail@nysasbo.org