Professional Recognition

In North Carolina, nearly 50,000 individuals compose the early care and education and school age workforce. This vibrant industry generates over $1.7 billion annually, creates jobs that stay in our state, enables families to work, seek employment and attain a college education. The availability of quality child care also enables employers to attract and retain employees and lays the foundation for children to succeed and our state’s economy to thrive.

Two forms of professional recognition for the workforce, individual certification and teacher licensure, provide consumers, employers, regulators and others with information about the level of education of those working with children in out-of-home settings. Research has shown that teacher education levels impact child outcomes. As in many professions, education is the basis for certification and licensure. Education is defined as coursework taken at a regionally accredited college or university.

Early Educator Certification

Early Educator Certification (EEC) is North Carolina’s certification system for the field of Early Childhood. EEC is an acknowledgement of an individual’s verified level of educational achievement, based on a standardized scale. EEC does not replace teacher licensure and is designed to compliment that process.

Research has shown that teacher education levels impact child outcomes. As in many professions, education is the basis for EEC. Education is defined as coursework taken at a regionally accredited college or university. All public community colleges and universities in North Carolina are regionally accredited. For a list of regionally accredited college and university programs go to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The NC Institute for Child Development Professionals is the certifying body for early care and education and school age professionals in North Carolina.

Those eligible to be certified includes all those currently working directly with, working on the behalf of or intending to work with young children. Individuals who are teachers or teacher assistants in child care, pre-kindergarten and Head Start settings, school age group leaders and coordinators, family child care providers, administrators, faculty, specialists, education coordinators, trainers, consultants, researchers and more are eligible to be certified.

Renewal requirements are based on the individual’s EEC level and mirror the amount of required training mandated for individuals working in a licensed child care program. In response to feedback from the field, in July 2010 the validity period for renewal was expanded from two to three years and the number of CEUs or college credits required for certified individual was reduced to allow time for organizations and trainers to expand the growing list of accessible, affordable continuing education options for Early Educators. Scholarships are available to support attaining college credits to meet EEC renewal requirements.

FAQ

EEC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
10 Top Reasons to be Certified

Teacher Licensure

NC Birth to Kindergarten (BK) Licensure

• Sample overview of BK Teacher Education Program

Licensure Requirements for More at Four Teachers

• Support for More at Four Teachers Seeking Licensure
  • NC Office of Early Learning, More at Four (MAF) Teacher Licensure Unit (TLU)

NC Public School Teacher Licensure

NC Early Intervention Infant-Toddler Personnel Certification

NC Early Intervention Infant-Toddler Personnel Certification

This certification is required for specified Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) personnel, public and private providers of special instruction services, and early intervention service coordination to children enrolled in the Infant-Toddler Program. Local oversight and supervision of contracted service personnel must be provided by the CDSA. Statewide administrative oversight is provided by the Early Intervention Branch, Women’s and Children’s Health Section, Division of Public Health.

The classifications of certificates are Infant, Toddler and Family Associate (ITFA) and Infant, Toddler and Family Specialist (ITFS). IT certification remains valid until the individual is no longer employed by the IT Program or contracted provider agencies, or allows the certificate to lapse. Infant Toddler certification is not a pre-requisite for employment.All Individuals pursuing an initial certificate must earn all the required credits within a three (3) year period, including individuals working part-time. Applicants with valid and current NC Birth through Kindergarten (BK) licensure automatically meet competency requirements. However, applicants must submit the Observation of Applicant Practice (Page II-3) and a copy of their valid NC license and transcript with their application to the Reviewer. Registered Nurses with a valid and current NC nursing license, whether they have completed a two-, three-, or four-year educational program, are eligible for the ITFS Certificate.