Applying for:

Adding the Independent Care Emphasis Authorization to an existing Child Development Assistant Permit

Allows you to:

Provide temporary independent supervision of children for no more than 120 minutes per day while the supervising instructor leaves the classroom.

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.

ItemImportant Details and Tips
Child Development Assistant Permit
  • You must have a Child Development Assistant Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that is valid (not expired).
  • It is not necessary to attach anything as proof, since the Commission will already have this information if you were issued a document satisfying this requirement.

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.

Completion of 6 semester units of coursework in early childhood education or child development

  • Early childhood education or child development course work is primarily related to children ages five years or younger. 
  • Coursework must be degree-applicable (associate degree or higher), non-remedial, and completed with a grade of C or better (Pass, Credit, or Satisfactory are acceptable also).
  • NOTE: This is still required even if you have already been issued a Child Development Assistant Permit through Option 2 (completing an approved Home Economics and Related Occupations (HERO) or Regional Occupation Program (ROP) in Child Development Related Occupations).
Current enrollment in coursework that is working towards a higher level Child Development Permit
  • Current enrollment can be verified with ONE of the following:

 An original letter from the registrar of the office of admissions at the regionally accredited college or university where you are currently enrolled.

  • Coursework must be degree-applicable (associate degree or higher) and non-remedial.
Verification of Requirements form (CL-913)
  • The form must be completed by your employing agency. A CL-913 completed by the applicant will not be accepted.
  • In completing this form, your employing agency is sponsoring you and verifying that an education plan has been created for you and that you have met all other requirements listed above.

 

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.
  • The Independent Care Emphasis is a non-renewable authorization that is valid for two years. It will not be added onto your Child Development Assistant Permit and will be issued as a separate document.
  • Full details of qualifying for the Independent Care Emphasis authorization can be found on CL-797 under the section Child Development Assistant Permit. You can also use the Child Development Permit Worksheet to compare the requirements for each level of permit and determine which one you qualify for.
Updated December 30, 2025