Child Development Permits (CL-797)

Complete six semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that three of the six semester units in early childhood education/child development be completed in school-age course work.

Complete an approved Home Economics and Related Occupations (HERO) or Regional Occupation Program (ROP) in Child Development Related Occupations.

The Independent Care Emphasis Authorization authorizes the holder to temporarily supervise children in a child care and development program independently for no more than 120 minutes per day. Service in this capacity must be accompanied by a valid Child Development Assistant Permit. 

Requirements for the Independent Care Emphasis Permit Authorization (This is only available for holders who have an Assistant Permit or are applying for an Assistant Permit)

The employing agency must verify all of the following on the form entitled verification of requirements Independent Care Emphasis Authorization ( Form CL-913):

1. Completion of six semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
2. That there is an Education Plan on file with the employing agency
3. Concurrent enrollment in coursework working towards a higher-level permit

Individuals that already hold an Assistant Permit may apply for the Independent Care Emphasis Authorization; individuals applying for the Assistant Permit for the first time may also request the Independent Care Emphasis Authorization on the same application with the one processing fee. The Independent Care Emphasis Authorization is available to apply online through CTC Online.

Period of Validity

This added authorization is non-renewable and will be valid for two years.

1. Complete a minimum of 12 semester units of course work in early childhood education or child development (excluding field work), including at least one course of at least three semester units in each of the following core areas:
   1. Child/human growth and development.
   2. Child, family, and community, or child and family relations.
   3. Programs/curriculum.
      
2. Complete at least 50 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program, working at least three hours per day within the last two years. This experience must be verified by submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 6 of the 12 semester units in early childhood/child development be in school age course work.

Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. For information on obtaining the CDA credential, visit the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition webpage or contact them at 1-800-424-4310.

1. Complete all General Requirements (see Terms and Definitions).
2. Complete 16 semester units in general education, including at least one course in each of the following areas: humanities and/or fine arts, social sciences, math and/or science, and English and/or language arts.
3. Complete 175 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program, working at least three hours per day within the last four years. This experience must be verified by submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 12 of the 24 semester units of early childhood education/child development be in school-age course work.

1. Complete an associate degree or higher in early childhood education or child development or a related field.
2. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting
   • School-Age Emphasis under this option may be obtained by completion of an associate degree or higher in school-age education, including three semester units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

1. Complete all General Requirements (see Terms and Definitions).
2. Complete 16 semester units in general education, including at least one course in each of the following areas: humanities and/or fine arts, social sciences, math and/or science, and English and/or language arts.
3. Complete six additional units in one area of specialization, which may include, but is not limited to the following:
   1. Infant and toddler care
   2. Bilingual and bicultural development
   3. Children with exceptional needs
   4. Preschool programming
   5. Parent/teacher relations
   6. Child health
   7. Specific areas of developmentally appropriate curriculum
      
      
4. Complete an additional two semester units of adult supervision course work.
5. Complete 350 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program, working at least three hours per day within the last four years (this experience must be verified by submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead).

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 12 of the 24 semester units of early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher.
2. Complete 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units in early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Complete all General Requirements (see Terms and Definitions).
2. Complete an associate degree or 60 semester units.
3. Complete six additional semester units of course work in administration and supervision of child care and development programs. These units must be comprised of two courses: one introductory course and one advanced course, or two courses of different topical content.
4. Complete an additional two semester units of adult supervision course work.
5. Complete 350 days of experience in an instructional capacity in a child care and development program, working at least three hours per day within the last four years. This experience must include at least 100 days of supervising adults in a child care and development program and must be verified by submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead. 

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 12 of the 24 semester units in early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher.
2. Complete 12 or more semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units in early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Possess a valid Administrative Services Credential authorizing service in California public schools.
2. Complete 12 or more semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units in early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Possess a valid Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential or a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Home Economics.
2. Complete 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience[1] in an early childhood education setting.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units in early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

Note [1]: Individuals holding the Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential can use elementary student teaching for the supervised field experience to qualify for the permit issued with School-Age Emphasis.

1. Complete all General Requirements (see Terms and Definitions).
2. Complete a baccalaureate degree or higher.
3. Complete six additional semester units of course work in administration and supervision of child care and development programs. These units must be comprised of two courses: one introductory course and one advanced course, or two courses of different topical content.
4. Complete two additional semester units in adult supervision course work.
5. Verify one year of site supervisor experience. This experience must be verified by submitting an original letter from the employer on official letterhead.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that 12 of the 24 semester units of early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Obtain a valid Administrative Services Credential authorizing service in California public schools.
2. Complete 12 semester units in early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units or four quarter units in supervised field experience in an early childhood education setting.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

1. Obtain a valid Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential or a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Home Economics.
2. Complete 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development course work.
3. Complete three semester units or four quarter units of supervised field experience[2] in an early childhood education setting.
4. Complete six additional semester units of course work in administration and supervision of child care and development programs. These units must be comprised of two courses: one introductory course and one advanced course, or two courses of different topical content.

School-Age Emphasis under this option requires that six of the 12 semester units of early childhood education or child development be in school-age course work.

Note [2]:Individuals holding the Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential can use elementary student teaching for the supervised field experience to qualify for the permit issued with School-Age Emphasis.

Complete a master’s degree or higher in early childhood education, child/human development, or a closely related field.

Course work designed to help individuals to develop knowledge and skills for effective communication with, and supervision of, adults.

An individual who cares for and assists in the development and instruction of children. Aides are not required to hold a permit issued by the Commission.

Course work primarily related to children ages five years or younger completed at a regionally-accredited college or university. Twenty-five percent of required course work may cover children ages five through eight.

The hours spent running a home day care may be counted toward the 350 required days of experience (and the required 100 days of supervision experience if applicable) and must be verified by:

1. A copy of a large family childcare home license issued by the California Department of Social Services for Site Supervisor or Program Director permit. A copy of a small family childcare home license is acceptable for all lower-level permits.
2. A completed Verification Of Family Child Care Experience Form (CL-787) from the applicant with dates of the experience including supervisory duties (signed under penalty of perjury) and
3. Two supporting letters or two Verification Of Family Child Care Attendance Forms (CL-877) from day care parents verifying their children’s attendance in the provider’s family child care program. Letters from home daycare verifying experience must state that the applicant was teaching children or providing a program of instruction.

(Required for the Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor and Program Director Permit levels)
Completion of 24 semester units of course work in early childhood education or child development, including at least one three-semester unit (or four-quarter unit) course in each of the following core areas:

• Child/human growth and development
• Child, family, and community, or child and family relations
• Programs/curriculum

The following may be used as partial fulfillment of the 24-semester unit requirement:

1. Supervised field experience may be used towards the overall 24-semester unit requirement as long as the course included both a field work and classroom component. The same field work course may not be used toward the experience requirement. Submission of a course description may be necessary, or
2. Possession of a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential may be used as nine semester units of credit toward the overall 24 semester unit requirement. For information on obtaining the CDA credential, Visit the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition website or contact the at 1-800-424-4310.

Participation in activities that contribute to a permit holder’s competence, performance, or effectiveness in the early childhood education profession, required for the renewal of a Child Development Permit. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, college or university course work, conferences, workshops, institutes, academies, symposia, and staff development programs. Please refer to your Professional Growth Manual for more information.

Course work that covers the developmental, social and academic needs of children and youth, ages birth through fourteen.

Course work that covers the following areas:

• Child growth and youth development.
• Child and youth, family and community.
• Programs/curriculum, including school-age instructional practices.

All core course work must meet a minimum unit requirement of at least three semester or four quarter units.

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.

NOTE: The Commission on Teacher Credentialing no longer issues life documents. Valid permits for service in a child care and development program issued under prior regulations shall continue in force and may be renewed as prescribed at the time the document was issued. Upon request of the applicant, individuals who hold permits issued under prior regulations who did not complete renewal requirements as specified must now apply under current regulations.

Experience must be completed in a childcare and development program setting, ages five years or younger. It can be in a general education or a special education setting. Volunteer work is also acceptable if it is in an instructional capacity. If teaching/work experience is required for a permit, an original letter from the authorized person having knowledge of the facts verifying the dates and nature of the experience must be submitted with the application packet. The letter must be signed by the employer with either a wet ink signature or digitally via Adobe, DocuSign, DropBox, SignNow, or PandaDoc.

Full Time

The experience letter must state that the applicant worked full-time or at least three hours per day. 

Recency requirements

Experience that qualifies must be completed within the last 2 years for the associate teacher permit. For all other permit levels, experience must be completed within the last 4 years.

Supervision

This requirement is met by verification of 100 days of supervising adults. This can be verified in an original letter.