Applying for:

Child Development Associate Teacher Permit

Allows you to:

Provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise educators with lower level permits and aides.

A red octagon shape surrounded by a gray border Before You Apply

You will need to obtain your fingerprint clearance specifically for the Commission. 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. Details on how to check your fingerprint status can be found at Check Application Status.

The online application will require you to answer questions related to your professional fitness. Please review How to Complete the CTC Online Professional Fitness Questions before completing the application. If you must answer "yes" to any of the professional fitness questions, please gather all documentation, including any required police reports, certified court records, and miscellaneous documents related to the incident and have them ready to upload as attachments along with the materials for verifying academic requirements listed below. If any of the records have been purged or are otherwise not available, provide an original statement from the agency on its official letterhead verifying that fact.

A green circle surrounded by a gray ring Ready to Apply?

The items below are required for this application. The Commission reserves the right to request the original(s) of any supporting documentation by mail to ensure authenticity.

 

Which option will you choose?

Below you will find two options for qualifying for this document. Please note that you only have to qualify through one of the options, not both.

Option 1

ItemImportant Details and Tips

Transcripts

  • The college or university must be regionally accredited.
    • If your coursework was completed outside of the U.S., you cannot provide the official transcripts. You must obtain a foreign transcript evaluation from an approved agency.
  • Submitting paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations:
    • Upload a scan of the original, official paper transcripts or foreign transcript evaluation. Clear photographs will also be accepted. All pages, front and back, must be included in the upload.
  • Submitting electronic transcripts or foreign transcript evaluations:
    • Upload the original file sent to you by the college, transcript service provider, or foreign transcript evaluation agency.

  • NOTE: The above transcript requirements apply to all coursework-related items in this option.

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 in each of the core areas

  • Early childhood education or child development course work is primarily related to children ages five years or younger. 
  • The core areas are:
    • Child/human growth and development
    • Child, family, and community, or child and family relations
    • Programs/curriculum
  • NOTE: School-Age Emphasis under Option 1 requires that 6 of the 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development be in school-age course work.

Completion of 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 4 years, verified by submitting a letter from the employer

  • The letter must be a scanned copy of an original letter 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

    ItemImportant Details and Tips

    Possess a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential 

    Important Notes:

    • This checklist is ONLY for submission of an online application.
    • This web-based checklist is a guide and does not need to be uploaded with the online application.
    Updated March 04, 2025