Renewal
Congratulations on becoming a certified Early Educator! As the certifying body for the over 50,000 professionals who intend to work with and/or work on behalf of children ages birth to twelve, we welcome you to a growing body of professionals!
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 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 an accessible, affordable supply of continuing education for Early Educators to be developed, in response to feedback from administrators.
Is continuing education required to maintain EEC? Yes. As with all occupations, ongoing education is required to stay up-to-date on the latest research and resources to inform practice, increase knowledge and grow skills. EEC renewal requirements mirror the amount of training already required by DCD for those working in licensed programs. Certified individuals have three or five years to complete their renewal requirements, based on their EEC level, and may attain college credits to meet those requirements. To maintain EEC, certified individuals must continue their professional development according to the following requirements:
In order to renew, all Early Educators must complete four semester hours or six Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or a combination of the two within their certification validity period. Early Care and Education Professionals certified with fewer than six early childhood semester hours who choose to take formal coursework toward renewal must take classes that focus on content about children ages birth to five.
School Age Care Professionals with fewer than six school age semester hours who choose to take formal coursework toward renewal must take classes focused on school age children (ages five to twelve).
Professionals certified at levels 10 (BA/BS plus or including 12 birth to five focused semester hours) and above may receive credit for teaching a CEU session for a minimum of 5 contact hours that meets renewal requirements. Each CEU session may be counted toward renewal only once per validity period.
Professionals certified at levels 12 or 13 may also receive credit for teaching formal coursework that meets renewal requirements. The same course may receive credit toward renewal only once per validity period.
CEU sessions must be worth at least .5 CEUs (5 contact hours) to count toward renewal.
How much does it cost to maintain my EEC? The fee for renewal is $25 for one scale and $35 for renewal on both scales, if completed prior to the issued expiration date.
What types semester hours count toward my EEC renewal? All courses in general education, school age or early childhood will count for renewal for those who have more than six semester hours focused on the age group for which they are currently certified.
How are CEUs different from trainings or workshops? Workshops are typically one or two hours long. Attendees receive a certificate of attendance that denotes the number of “clock or contact hours” earned by attending the workshop.
EEC requires semester credits or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for renewal. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. To count toward renewal, Early Educators must take CEUs worth .5 (5 contact hours) or more.
CEUs may be earned by participating in an approved CEU session that TOTALS 5 contact hours or .5 CEUs. The hours may be earned over a period time or in one session. The total may be earned in a variety of ways. For instance an Early Educator may attend a 5 hour session at a conference, may enroll in an online CEU session that requires participation in five, one-hour blocks or attend an in-person session for 2 hours one evening, for 2 hours on another evening and complete an assignment outside the actual session to complete a total of 5 contact hours.
What types of CEUs count toward my EEC renewal? CEUs must fall under of the Division of Child Development’s (DCD) nine topic areas AND CEUs must be offered though one of the following entities:
- A regionally accredited community college or university or
- The NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) or
- A member of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (www.iacet.org).
Where can I find CEUs available to me? Links to CEU resources can be found here.
What do the CEUs I earn count toward? CEUs may be used to comply with staff education requirements for the following:
- NC child care facility licensure, NC Division of Child Development (DCD) (if content is one of the nine approved content areas),
- NC More at Four teacher requirements, NC Office of Early Learning, Teacher Licensure Unit
- NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) teacher licensure renewal
- NC Early Educator Certification renewal
If I take a combination CEUs and semester credits for my renewal, how many of each do I need?
- If you complete 4 semester credits, you will need to complete 0 CEUs.
- If you complete 3 semester credits, you will need to complete 1.5 CEUs.
- If you complete 2 semester credits, you will need to complete 3 CEUs.
- If you complete 1 semester credits, you will need to complete 4.5 CEUs.
- If you complete 0 semester credits, you will need to complete 6 CEUs.
Will training sessions still be offered in North Carolina? Individuals interested in seeking trainings or workshops for contact hours approved by the NC Division of Child Development will continue to find sessions available in North Carolina through child care resource and referral and Smart Start agencies, private companies, employers and more.
Are there resources to help me pay for my renewal requirements? T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® now has a scholarship that can support attaining college credits for EEC renewal, even if you already have a degree. Download the FAQ and application or learn more about T.E.A.C.H. on the CCSA website.
How do I apply for Renewal? Renewal applicants must submit an updated EEC Application and proof that renewal requirements have been completed. The cost of renewal is $25 for one scale and $35 for both scales. If your certificate expires prior to your application for renewal, a $50 fee applies for one scale and $65 for both. Applicants are encouraged to reapply at least four months prior to your expiration date to guarantee renewal before your certificate expires.
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