Child Development Permits

General Information

There are six types of Child Development Permits [PDF] (CL797), each with its own set of issuance requirements and each authorizing the holder to perform different levels of service in child development program:

  • Child Development Assistant Permit
  • Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
  • Child Development Teacher Permit
  • Child Development Master Teacher Permit
  • Child Development Site Supervisor Permit
  • Child Development Program Director Permit

By completing additional education and/or experience, individuals may move from one type of Child Development Permit to the next, expanding the scope of the work for which they are authorized. For additional information on the various levels and requirements for transitioning between Child Development permits, refer to the Child Development Permit Matrix.

For information on permits issued under previous regulations, see the History section.

Child Development Permit Worksheet

 To evaluate an individual for a Child Development Permit, use the Child Development Permit Worksheet (CL-723a)

Child Development Professional Growth Manual

All levels of Child Development Permits with the exception of the Associate Teacher Permit require 105 clock-hours of professional growth be completed during each five year renewal cycle. See the Professional Growth Manual for Child Development for details.

VOC is a voluntary program in which a community college or four-year institution submits verified applications to the Commission for Child Development Permits. Each VOC program is approved by the Commission. VOC applications can be submitted either by the approved institution, the Child Development Training consortium or directly by applicants. If the college or university staff request information about getting a VOC program approval, refer them to submission guidelines.

Participation in the VOC program is voluntary. It includes a review of the institution's child development program and the course content offered by the institution to meet the specific requirements. Institutions participating in this process can be assured that their courses are appropriate for certification. In addition, the Commission anticipates that this process will speed up the processing of applications.

Technical assistance is available to representatives for this submission process. Please contact Tehraun Hammons at childdev@ctc.ca.gov if you have any questions. This email address is specifically for questions about the submission guideline [PDF] process only.

School Age Emphasis Option

The School-Age Emphasis Option, for candidates for all levels of the Child Development Permits, was added, by Amendment to Title 5, in July 2002, to address the needs of educators preparing to work primarily with school-age children. Candidates for these permits take required coursework that covers the developmental, social and academic needs of children and youth ages birth through fourteen. Each permit level requires that one-half of the required ECE/CD units be completed in school-age course work.

Additionally, the Child Care Associate Permit holder is now be able to supervise aides. The school-age emphasis authorizes the holders to provide all of the services authorized by the corresponding Child Development Permit level and may provide services for the care, development, and instruction of children in before-school, after-school and other school-age care programs. The school age core course work is Child Growth and Youth Development, Child and Youth Family Community and Programs Curriculum, including school age instructional practices.

When qualifying for the permit under alternative options involving supervised field experience, the experience may be earned in either early childhood education or at the school age level. The minimum number of school age units must still be met on these options. Elementary education coursework is acceptable for the school age emphasis. Elementary student teaching through 8th grade will clear the supervised field experience requirement for the school age authorization, with verification that the student teaching component included at least kindergartners. (Title 5 Sections 80105 to 80116 as amended July 15, 2002)

 

 

CHILDREN'S CENTER INSTRUCTIONAL AND SUPERVISION PERMITS

Children's Center Instructional and Supervision Permits were issued under five different sets of regulations beginning in 1961. The regulations were revised in 1966, 1974, 1979, 1986 and again in 1997, however some permits were in regulation prior to 1961. These documents became life documents or are renewable under the regulations that became effective in 1961.

From 9-1-1984 to 6-30-1989 demonstration of proficiency in basic reading, writing, and math skills was required. This could be achieved in one of four ways, by a letter verifying the passage of a proficiency test developed by a school district, official transcript showing completion of an associate or bachelor's degree, passage of the CBEST, or passage of the Commission approved Field Based Assessment System leading to a Limited Children's Center Permit.

The Commission will continue to renew the Children's Center Instructional and Supervision Permits for individuals who already hold the documents.

Updated November 28, 2016

Updated August 14, 2025