Strategies for locating quality educational leaders and assessing candidates applying by an alternate route are presented in this pamphlet. Criteria for evaluating alternative credentials are identified, which include teaching and learning ability, leadership experience, education, personal attributes, and understanding of the social and institutional contexts. Recommended practices to ensure quality include peer review, adherence to procedure, and consistency of the alternate route with regular certification criteria. These procedures function to maintain professional standards and provide opportunities for candidates of exceptional merit from other fields. (LMI)