Early Childhood Teacher Certification

• Who Should Apply

  Individuals who are seeking employment as an Early Childhood Teacher assigned responsibility for a single group of children working under the supervision of a director, may apply for an Official Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Verification Letter from the Division of Early Care and Learning (DECL).

  Currently, an Early Childhood Teacher Verification letter is not required for employment. We do not issue licenses or certificates to Early Childhood Teachers.

  Review the Credential Equivalency Chart and Early Childhood Teacher Chart to help determine eligibility. 

• How to Apply

  The application process takes approximately 6-8 weeks from the time your complete application packet is received by the Division of Early Care and Learning (DECL) until the results of your evaluation are sent to you.
  
  Download the Early Childhood Teacher Application here.

  Complete an application packet:

  The complete application packet must include the following documents:

  • Application Data Form (Form A).
  • Verification Worksheet (Form B).
    • Attached supporting documentation (college official transcripts and/or certificates).
    • College transcripts. Accepted forms of college transcript include copies of official transcript/s or transcripts printed from the student's account if the following verifiable information is included: name of the student, name of college/university, course/s completed, semester and year coursework was completed, the course title, course number, credit/s earned, and grade/s earned.
  • Experience Verification Worksheet (Form C).
    • Attach the official experience letter to this form.

   

  You are encouraged to make a copy of your application packet prior to mailing it to the DECL. Once your evaluation has been completed and a final qualification letter issued, your entire file will be shredded. Application packet documents will not be returned to applicant.

  Mail the application packet to:

  Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications
  CDHS, Division of Early Care and Learning
  1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
  Denver, CO 80203-1714

• Application Review

  Once all documents are received, the Division will determine if you meet the requirements for Early Childhood Teacher qualification. You will receive one of two notices:

  • A  letter indicating that you are fully qualified. This is verification that you are Early Childhood Teacher qualified
  • An email indicating that you are not qualified to function as an Early Childhood Teacher. The email will explain what was accepted and what is needed to meet qualification requirements.
• Regionally Accrediting Organizations Recognized by the DECL

  Accepted, Regionally Institutional Accrediting Organizations

  Higher Learning Commission (formerly called North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission) (HLC)  

  Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSA)
  
  New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
  
  Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)  
  
  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges
  
  Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)      
  
  Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)

  NOT Accepted, Regionally Institutional Accrediting Organizations

  North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees (NCA-CASI)
  
  New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., Commission on Technical and Career Institutions (NEASC-CTCI)

• Duplicate Letters
  You must submit a written/digital request to receive a copy of a letter previously issued. This request must include the following:

  • Current name and all former names
  • Current address 
  • Social Security #
  • Birth date
  • Date (or approximate date) the original letter was issued (if known)

  Send your request by email for a prompt response or you may submit your request by mail or fax to:

  Attn: Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications
  Division of Early Care and Learning, CDHS
  1575 Sherman St., 1st Floor
  Denver, CO  80203-1714
  Fax:  303-866-4453
  cdhs_oec_ectq@state.co.us

   

• Resources
  • Early Childhood Councils
  • Pyramid Plus
  • Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) 
  • Transcripts from colleges and universities outside of the United States must be evaluated for United States equivalency. Visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of organizations that provide evaluation services.