Certification Renewal Q&A

Updated March 26, 2012

Congratulations certified Early Educator!

College credits OR continuing education units (CEUs) OR a combination of both may be used to meet renewal requirements.

Is there any financial support for renewal credits?

Funding for renewal credits is available through T.E.A.C.H. Quick Start/Final Step scholarship. Click here to learn more.

Is there any financial support for taking continuing education units?

Funding for renewal continuing education units from NC community college grant foundations available by individual campus.

How do I document my continued education?

Submit an official transcript for college courses or include the following for CEUs:

• date(s) of session
• session name
• location(s) where session(s) are held
• instructor name(s)
• number of CEUs
• numbr of hours CEUs offered
• CEU granting body (public school, regionally accredited (community college or university or IACET approved body)

Does my certification expire?

Yes, all certifications have an expiration date. Your certification is valid for three or five years based on your EEC level. Your individual expiration date can be found on the bottom right corner of your certificate.

You have until this date to renew your EEC and pay the $25 fee for renewal on one scale and $35 for renewal on both the Early Care and Education Professional (ECE) Scale and the School Age Professional (SA) Scale.

If your certificate expires prior to your application for renewal, a $50 fee applies for one scale and $65 for both.

The EEC team encourages you to apply at least four months prior to the expiration date to guarantee renewal before your certificate expires.

What education or continuing education is required for renewal?

To maintain EEC, individuals certified on the Early Care and Education Professional Scale must continue their professional development by completing four semester hours or six Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a combination of the two within their certification validity period.

Those certified on the School Age Professional Scale must complete two semester hours or three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a combination of the two within their certification validity period.

• All courses in general education, school age or early childhood will count for renewal for those who have at least six semester hours focused on the age group for which they are currently certified.

• Early Educators certified at level 4 or 8 with NO focused coursework must take semester hours focused on the age group for which they are currently certified. CEUS will not be accepted for renewal.

• Early Educators assessed with one to five hours of focused coursework within their certification level may take CEUs, but if they choose to take semester hours to meet their renewal requirements, they must take semester hours focused on the age group for which they are currently certified.

• Professionals certified with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and 12 semester hours focused on the age group for which they are currently certified may receive credit for teaching a CEU session for a minimum of 5 contact hours (or .5 CEUs) that meet 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  or CEUs 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.

If you are certified at the highest levels (12 or 13) you may teach CEUs or college courses and count it toward your renewal!

Finding CEUs

• Public school teachers often take CEUs in one-hour increments. Why? Because they are building their knowledge upon four-years of college education. The majority of teachers working with young children do not yet hold a college degree, requiring that more in-depth training be provided.

Learn more about CEUs by visiting the Institute’s Continuing Education Library.