The items below are required to apply for a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. The Child Development Associate Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise a Child Development Permit (CDP) Assistant, and an aide. The School Age Emphasis Authorization may be added to any level Child Development Permit and authorizes the holder to provide all services authorized by the holder’s Child Development Permit and to provide services in the care, development, and instruction of children in before-school, after-school, and other school-age child care programs. Please note that this checklist is ONLY for submission of an online application, and details regarding certain items may differ from what is required to submit a paper application. To submit a paper application, please refer to Child Development Permits (CL-797).

Before You Apply

You will need to obtain your fingerprint clearance. Please see below for information regarding how to complete fingerprinting depending on your situation.

  • Current credential holders: If you already have valid fingerprints on file with the Commission, it is not necessary to fingerprint each time you apply for a credential or permit. However, if your fingerprints are expired then you must re-establish fingerprints through one of the methods below. Details on how to check your fingerprint status can be found on CTC Online - Your Educator Account under the section Check the Status.
  • California residents and non-residents who reside in or are visiting California: Complete Live Scan with 41-LS form. Applicants may upload a copy of their Live Scan form to facilitate tracking if issues arise, but this is not required.
  • Non-residents who are unable to complete a California Live Scan: If you are unable to complete the Live Scan process then you cannot submit your applications online. You must instead request fingerprint cards (FD-258) using this online portal and submit the completed cards, along with a paper application and processing fees ($49 for fingerprint cards and $100 for the credential application).
  • NOTE: Fingerprints are not transferable between agencies, so fingerprinting completed for credentialing purposes and fingerprinting completed for employment purposes are separate.

Checklist for Online Application

RequirementItemImportant Details and Tips
 

Acceptable coursework and experience

OR

Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

 Option 1: Acceptable coursework and experience.

 Completion of a minimum of 12 semester units of coursework in early childhood education or child development (excluding field work), including at least one course of at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units in each of core areas. 

  • All coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university, degree-applicable (associate degree or higher) and non-remedial, and passed with a grade of “C” or better (“pass” and “credit” grades meet this requirement).
  • The core areas are:
    • Child/human growth and development
    • Child, family, and community, or child and family relations
    • Programs/curriculum
  • Coursework must be verified on official transcripts.
  • If you are using coursework completed outside of the U.S., you cannot provide the official transcripts. You must obtain a foreign transcript evaluation from an approved agency. If you have any teaching credentials earned outside of the U.S., you should provide them to the evaluating agency as well.
  • For paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations, upload an electronic scan of the original, official paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluation. All pages, front and back, must be scanned and uploaded. Clear photo images will also be accepted but must include all pages, front and back.
  • For electronic transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations, upload the original file sent to you by the college, transcript service provider, or foreign transcript evaluation agency.
  • The Commission reserves the right to request the original transcript or foreign transcript evaluation by mail to ensure authenticity.
  • NOTE: School-Age Emphasis under Option 1 requires that 6 of the 12 semester units in early childhood/child development be in school age coursework.

 Completion of at least 50 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program, working at least 3 hours per day within the last 2 years.

  • This experience must be verified with a scanned copy of an original letter from the employer or an electronic PDF. If the letter is a scanned copy, the original letter that was scanned must be signed with a wet ink signature. If the letter is an electronic PDF, it must be signed with an acceptable electronic signature. Screenshots are not acceptable.
  • Must be on official school or district letterhead.

 Option 2: Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

NOTE: Use the Child Development Permit Worksheet and the Child Development and School-Age Emphasis Matrix for guidance in comparing the requirements for each level of permit to determine the level of permit you qualify for or what additional requirements may need to be completed.

 

Updated May 02, 2024