CL-797 3/2016
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
Child Development Permits are available at various levels. Each level has one or more ways to qualify.
Individuals must meet all of the requirements listed in one of the available options. Individuals should review
all available options and complete the one that best reflects their own education and/or experience.
Levels of the Child Development Permit
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
School-Age Emphasis Authorization
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.
The Application Packet
Individuals applying for a Child Development Permit must submit a completed application packet consisting of
all of the following:
1. Official transcripts verifying course work and/or letters verifying experience appropriate to the permit
type
2. Completed application (form 41-4)
3. Application processing fees
4. First-time applicants must submit a completed Live Scan receipt (form 41-LS) verifying that fingerprints
have been taken and fees have been paid. Out-of-state residents must submit two fingerprint cards (FD-
258) and fingerprint processing fees in lieu of a Live Scan receipt.
Course Work Requirements
1. All course work must be degree-applicable (associate degree or higher) and non-remedial
2. All course work must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (“pass” and “credit” grades meet this
requirement)
3. All core course work must meet a minimum unit requirement of three semester units or four quarter
units (see Terms and Definitions)
4. All course work must be completed at a regionally-accredited college or university
State of California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
1900 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95811-4213
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ctc.ca.gov
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Assistant Permit authorizes the holder to care for and assist in the development and
instruction of children in a child care and development program under the supervision of a Child Development
Permit (CDP) Associate Teacher, CDP Teacher, CDP Master Teacher, CDP Site Supervisor, or CDP Program
Director.
Requirements for the Child Development Assistant Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Assistant Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements listed in
one of the following options:
Option 1
1. Complete six semester units of early childhood education or child development course work
2. 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
Option 2
Complete an approved Home Economics and Related Occupations (HERO) or Regional Occupation
Program (ROP) in Child Development Related Occupations
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Assistant Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five year
periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. Permit holders who complete the requirements
for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance may submit verification of completion
of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit, and half the application processing fee.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE TEACHER PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Associate Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care,
development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise a CDP
Assistant, and an aide.
Requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the
requirements listed in one of the following options:
Option 1
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:
Child/human growth and development
Child, family, and community, or child and family relations
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.
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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.
Option 2
Possess a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. For information on obtaining the CDA
credential, contact the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition at 1-800-424-4310 or visit
their website at http://www.cdacouncil.org/.
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Associate Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable once, for a total of
two issuances. To renew, the holder must complete at least 15 semester units toward the Child Development
Teacher Permit. By the end of the ten year period, the holder must meet the requirements for the Child
Development Teacher Permit.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT TEACHER PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development, and
instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise a CDP Associate Teacher, a
CDP Assistant, and an aide.
Requirements for the Child Development Teacher Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Teacher Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements listed in
one of the following options:
Option 1
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.
Option 2
1. Complete an associate degree or higher in early childhood education or child development or a related
field
2. Complete three semester 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
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-year
periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit
holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance
may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit,
and half the application processing fee.
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT MASTER TEACHER PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Master Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development,
and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise a CDP Teacher, CDP
Associate Teacher, CDP Assistant, and an aide. The permit also authorizes the holder to serve as a coordinator
of curriculum and staff development in a child care and development program.
Requirements for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements
listed in one of the following options:
Option 1
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:
Infant and toddler care
Bilingual and bicultural development
Children with exceptional needs
Preschool programming
Parent/teacher relations
Child health
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.
Option 2
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 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.
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Master Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-
year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit
holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance
may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit,
and half the application processing fee.
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT SITE SUPERVISOR PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Site Supervisor Permit authorizes the holder to supervise a child care and development
program operating at a single site; provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a
child care and development program; and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a child
care and development program.
Requirements for the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements
listed in one of the following options:
Option 1
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.
Option 2
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.
Option 3
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 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.
Option 4
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 of supervised field experience* in an early childhood education setting
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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.
* 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.
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Site Supervisor Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-year
periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit
holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance
may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit,
and half the application processing fee.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR PERMIT
Authorization
A Child Development Program Director Permit authorizes the holder to supervise a child care and development
program operated in a single site or multiple sites; provide service in the care, development, and instruction of
children in a child care and development program; and serve as coordinator of curriculum and staff
development in a child care and development program.
Requirements for the Child Development Program Director Permit
To qualify for the Child Development Program Director Permit, applicants must satisfy all of the requirements
listed in one of the following options:
Option 1
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.
Option 2
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 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.
Option 3
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
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3. Complete three semester units of supervised field experience* 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.
* 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.
Option 4
Complete a master’s degree or higher in early childhood education, child/human development, or a
closely related field
Term and Renewal
The Child Development Program Director Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-
year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online.
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Adult Supervision Course Work
Course work designed to help individuals to develop knowledge and skills for effective communication with,
and supervision of, adults.
Aide
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.
Early Childhood Education / Child Development Course Work
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.
General Requirements (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, contact the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition at 1-800-424-4310 or visit
their website at http://www.cdacouncil.org/.
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Professional Growth
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 (with the
exception of the Associate level 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.
School-Age Course Work
Course work that covers the developmental, social and academic needs of children and youth, ages birth
through fourteen.
School-Age Core Course Work
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.
Use the Child Development Permit Worksheet for guidance in comparing the requirements for each level of
permit to determine the level of permit you qualify for or what additional requirements may need to be
completed.
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.
Reference Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Sections 80105, 80107, 80109, 80110, 80111, 80112, 80113, 80114, 80115, and
80116
CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL-AGE EMPHASIS MATRIX
Please review leaflet/regulations for more detailed information
*CD Core courses = Child Growth and Development, Child/Family/Community, and Programs/curriculum
** SA Core courses = Child Growth and Youth Development, Child & Youth, Family & Community, Programs/curriculum including school-age instructional practices
CL-797 11/13 Page 9 of 9
TITLE CHILD DEV
EDUCATION
REQUIREMENT
SCHOOL-AGE
EMPHASIS
EDUCATION
REQUIREMENT
EXPERIENCE
REQUIREMENT
CHILD DEV
ALTERNATIVE
QUALIFICATIONS
SCHOOL-AGE
EMPHASIS
ALTERNATIVE
QUALIFICATION
AUTHORIZATION FIVE YEAR
RENEWAL
Assistant
3 units in
None
Accredited HERO program
None
Assist in the instruction
105 hours of
(Optional) Childhood Education
(ECE) or Child
School-Age (incl. ROP) of children under
supervision of Assoc.
Teacher or above.
professional
growth
Associate
6 units in the
50 days of 3+
Child Dev. Associate (CDA)
None
May provide instruction
and supervise Assistant.
One renewal
with 15 units;
must meet CD
Teacher3HUPLW
Teacher
including core courses School-Age Core
Area**
hours per day within
2 years
Credential
requirements
within 10
years.
Teacher
24 units ECE/CD
including core
courses* + 16 GE
units.
12 units in the
School-Age
including core
courses**
175 days of 3+ hours
per day within 4 years
AA or higher in ECE or
related field w/ 3 sem. unit
supervised field exp. in ECE
setting
AA or higher in ECE or SA
with 3 sem units of
supervised field experience
in ECE or SA setting
May provide instruction
and supervise all above
(including Aide)
105 hours of
professional
growth
Master
12 units in the
350 days of 3+
BA or higher w/12 units of
BA or higher w/12 units of
May provide instruction
105 hours of
Teacher
including core
courses* + 16 GE
units, + 6
specialization units; +
2 adult supervision
School-Age
including core
courses**
hours per day within
4 years
ECE, + 3 units supervised
field exp. in ECE setting
ECE or SA, +3 units of
supervised field experience
in ECE or SA setting
Minimum of 6 units must
be in SA
and supervise all above
(incl. Aide). May also
serve as coordinator of
curriculum and staff
development.
professional
growth
Site
12 units in the
350 days of 3+
BA or higher w/12 units of
Teaching or Administrative
May supervise single
105 hours of
Supervisor
with 24 ECE/CD units
(incl. core); + 6 units
administration; + 2
units adult
supervision.
School-Age
including core
courses**
hours per day within
4 years, including at
least 100 days of
supervising adults
ECE, + 3 units supervised
field exp. in ECE setting; or
a Teaching or Admin.
credential w/12 units of
ECE, + 3 units supervised
field exp. in ECE setting
Cred w/12 units of ECE or
SA. 3 units of supervised
field experience in either
ECE or SA. Minimum of 6
units must be in SA
site program, provide
instruction; and serve as
coordinator of curriculum
and staff development.
professional
growth
Program
12 units in the
Site supervisor Teaching or Admin.
Teaching or Administrative
May supervise
105 hours of
Director
ECE/CD units (incl.
core); + 6 units
administration; + 2
units adult
supervision.
School-Age
including core
courses**
status and one
program year of site
supervisor
experience.
credential w/12 units of
ECE, + 3 units supervised
field exp. in ECE setting
Master's Degree in ECE
Cred w/12 units of ECE or
SA. 3 units of supervised
field experience in either
ECE or SA. 6 units admin
w/teaching cred only.
Minimum of 6 units in SA
multiple-site program;
provide instruction; and
serve as coord. of
curriculum and staff
development
professional
growth