Staff Credential

• Staff Credential/Renewal

• Staff Credential
• Early Childhood Education
• Seminole State Homepage

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Early Childhood Education
407.708.2413
Fax: 407.708.2350
Office: J-008, Sanford/Lake Mary Campus

General Contact Information

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What is a Staff Credential?

A Staff Credential is an official designation that means an individual's professional education meets or exceeds the professional criteria set by the Department of Children and Families. There are several ways to obtain professional education in the field of child care. Individuals can attend community college or university programs, can seek a National Early Childhood Credential, or can attend a state-approved Florida Child Care Professional Credential program in order to achieve higher education in child development. A Staff Credential is obtained by submitting copies of transcripts or a program certificate to the credential unit of the Department of Children and Families. If an individuals' professional education meets the criteria, a Staff Credential Verification (Form CF-FSP 5206) is issued.

For more information visit the Department of Children and Families website.

Seminole State's Staff Credential Programs

There are two ways a Staff Credential can be obtained at Seminole State:

• Candidates may obtain a Staff Credential equivalency through a vocational credit Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) granted by the Department of Education.
• Candidates may receive a National Early Childhood Credential through college credit.

All applicants must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have completed the state-mandated 45 hours
• Meet all Seminole State enrollment requirements

Online ECPC: Early Childhood Professional Certificate Program (one semester)

The following is the procedure candidates must follow through the online Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) Program:

• Take the TABE.
• Meet with a vocational coordinator at the Early Childhood Education Department before entering the program. 
  • Call 407.708.2881 to set up an appointment.
• Register for the course HEV 0800.
• Document at least 480 hours of experience with preschool children in a licensed childcare setting by the end of the program, as part of the portfolio development requirement.

The ECPC is awarded by the Department of Education. The candidate will still be eligible to receive a National CDA if he or she wishes to apply to the National CDA Council. Note: ECPC credentials must be renewed every five years. Credentials granted by the National CDA Council must be renewed initially after three years, then renewed every five years after that.

College-Credit National Early Childhood Credential

This program includes four college-credit courses.

• Credentials earned in the program are accepted nationally.
• Certificates are awarded by the National CDA Council.
• Program credentials must be renewed by the National CDA Council initially after three years, and again every five years after that.
• Credit for courses completed within the program can be applied toward an A.S. degree program.
• Courses include EEC 1000, EEC 2200, EEC 1601 and EEC 1011. Click here to download the EEC 1011 portfolio grade grid.
• Most courses can be taken online.
• The program can be completed in one semester.

For more information about the National CDA Council, contact:

The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition
2460 16th Street NW
Washington, D.C.  2009-3575
Phone: 800.424.4310

Additional Information

Enrolling in a CDA credential program is just a phone call or email away.

• For more information, email the Early Childhood Education Department, or call 407.708.2413 to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in room J-011 on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.
• An appointment will take about 30 minutes. An appointment is not required, but it will help you learn about the process.

If you would like to apply to the College during your appointment, bring two forms of identification. Proof of residency is required for in-state tuition rates.

Staff Credential: When having a degree from another field

Licensed child care centers are required by law to have at least one CDA-credentialed teacher per 20 children. They are also required to have a CDA-qualified staff member with a Director's Credential on premises during most operating hours.

Staff Credential Verification, formerly known as a Child Development Associate (CDA) Waiver, can exempt you from the CDA program requirements.

Program Eligibility

If you have earned an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree or higher in any field, you qualify for this program.

Course Requirements

• If your degree falls outside the field of early childhood education, you must complete the following courses:

  1. EEC 1000: Child Growth and Development
  2. EEC 2200: Educational Practices in Early Childhood Education

You also must be able to document 480 hours experience working with children ages 0-8 in a child care setting.

• If you have a degree in early childhood education, or if you have completed the required coursework and experience hours, you can download the Child Care Staff Credential Verification Application from the Department of Children and Families website.

  1. Download Form CF-FSP 5211: Florida Child Care Staff Credential Verification Application. (You must have Adobe Reader to view this form.)
  2. Print the form and complete all required sections.
  3. Mail your completed form and appropriate documentation to:

     Child Care Training Services Center
     2807 Remington Green Circle
     Tallahassee, FL 32308

  4. If all requirements are met, you will receive a Staff Credential Verification Form (CF-FSP 5206) from the Department of Children and Families.

Please note: Only hours spent in a child care setting will count toward the experience requirement. Elementary school experience will not count, unless it is earned with preschool-aged children.