Professional Certifications

  • Director Qualification (Large Center Director Qualification Verification)

    The new Colorado Shines PDIS version 3.0 is live and has improved our current application process for Large Center Director qualifications. As of 6/4/2021, paper or email applications for Director Letters are no longer accepted. This new process allows for quicker review times, the ability to see the status of your application, and immediate access to your Director Certificate in PDIS. 

    Log into the new Colorado Shines PDIS.

    Explore the links below for helpful information on navigating the new Colorado Shines PDIS.

    Click here to learn more about the application process.

    Questions? Contact Director Qualifications:

    Child Care Licensing and Administration
    Division of Early Care and Learning, CDHS
    1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
    Denver, CO 80203
    Phone: 303-866-4088
    Fax: 303-866-4453
    cdhs_oec_ecdq@state.co.us

  • Early Childhood Teacher Certification

    As of 6/4/2021, paper or email applications are no longer accepted for Early Childhood Teacher Certifications. At this time Early Childhood Teacher qualification application submission in PDIS 3.0 is not available in PDIS Version 3.0. Licensing specialists will continue to review staff qualifications on site.

    Until further notice, the process to apply for Early Childhood Teacher qualifications is to submit copies of your educational coursework and documentation of verifiable experience to your employer for review. If you need assistance or your employer needs assistance determining if you meet one of the pathways for Early Childhood Teacher or have questions pertaining to Early Childhood Teacher qualifications, please reach out to the Licensing Specialist assigned to the facility. View the Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Pathway Verification Worksheet. 

    Click here to learn more about the application process.

    Questions? Contact Early Childhood Teacher Certification:
    Child Care Licensing and Administration
    Division of Early Care and Learning, CDHS
    1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
    Denver, CO 80203
    Phone: 303-866-4091
    Fax: 303-866-4453
    cdhs_oec_ectq@state.co.us

  • Competencies for Early Childhood Educators and Administrators

    Competencies detail what early care and learning professionals need to know and be able to do to work effectively with families and children.

    Why Competencies are important

    • They provide clear descriptions of what early childhood educators and administrators need to know and be able to do to provide quality care and education.
    • They are an essential part of a comprehensive professional development system.
    • They recognize the importance of diversity in early childhood settings, which include culture, linguistics, and ability.
    • They support professionalism in early childhood education by serving as the foundation for practices carried out by early childhood educators in all early childhood settings.
    Learn more about the competencies.

Colorado Shines PDIS Credential Submission Interface Update and Temporary Solutions Has Been Extended 

To continue to support child care providers and early childhood professionals, the Office of Early Childhood and the Colorado Shines PDIS is offering the following solutions to those impacted by the Credential Submission Interface being temporarily disabled:

For those using the Early Childhood Professional Credential to meet licensed child care requirements, any credentials that expired after November 1, 2020, will remain valid until the professional credential backlog can be eliminated. The Department will provide a 30-day notice prior to the expiration of this temporary solution. A waiver or additional documentation is not required, however Large Center Directors must keep a copy of their staff's most recent qualification letter and Credential on file for review by licensing.

For those who do not have access to their current Credential and cannot obtain or renew the Credential for staff qualifications, Directors may complete an Affidavit verifying that to the best of their knowledge, staff meet Early Childhood Qualifications. The affidavit has been expanded and will now include Directors and Assistant Early Childhood Teachers in addition to the Early Childhood Teachers. Child care programs must keep the Affidavit and the corresponding documents in the staff member's file for review and verification by licensing. 

Click here to download the Facility Qualification Affidavit. 

Click here to download the ECPC 3.0 Worksheet.

Click here to download the Large Center Director Verification Worksheet.

Click here to download the Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Verification Worksheet.

Thank you for understanding as we work through challenges with the Credential Submission Interface. If you have any questions about these temporary solutions, please contact your Licensing Specialist or call our office at 303-866-5948.