How to Apply for your Child Development Permit

California offers six levels of Child Development Permits, each with its own set of issuance requirements and each authorizing the holder to perform different levels of service in child development programs. The State Permits are issued by the California Department of Education, The same agency that issues Teaching Credentials for Public School Teaching. Permits are required if you work for a school that is funded by the Department of Education or Head Start.

The permit is useful even if not working in a state or federally funded program. To gain employment in non-state or federally funded programs you will need proof of completed coursework. Typically this is verified through transcripts, but many employers will use the State Permit as verification of course work completion.

Step By Step Instructions to obtain your Child Development Permit:

Step One: Obtain Official Transcripts From All Colleges You Have Attended

Typically this is done by contacting the Admissions and Records office where you took the classes. Many have online ordering.

Use the information from your transcripts to determine what level of Child Development Permit Matrix you are qualified to apply for. There are two pathways to qualify for a Permit: Option 1 or Alternative Qualifications.

Child Development Permit Matrix

School Age Child Development Permit Matrix

Students who have received degrees outside of the United States can have their coursework and degrees evaluated for equivalency using the agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Foreign_Transcript_Evaluation.pdf

Step Two: Complete the 41-4 and 41-LS From the Comission on Teacher Credentialing

41-4_ Application_for_Credential_Authorizing_Public_School_Service.pdf

41-LS_Request_For_Live_Scan.pdf

Live Scan Locations

Fingerprint_Clearance_Information.pdf

Candidates applying under the "Alternative Qualifications" will also need:

CDTC_Verificationof Experience_18_19.pdf

You can print as many of these as you need to use with different employers if you have had, or have more than one.

Time to Renew?

Online Renewal Permits offered by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing include Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor and/or Program Director permits.

Assistant and Associate Teacher Permit holders are NOT eligible to renew their permit online. These permit holders will need to mail their application to renew six months in advance of their permit expiring.

Step Three: Complete the CDTC Application

Which will pay for your permit and reimburse your fingerprint costs for eligible permit levels (see below).

The Child Development Training Consortium will pay the Permit and Fingerprint Processing fees (if applicable) for the following Child Development Permit levels including Permits with a School-Age Emphasis.

• Assistant (first-time and renewal)
• Associate Teacher (first-time, upgrade and renewal)
• Teacher (first-time, upgrade and renewal)

Upgrades from three lower levels to Master Teacher, Site Supervisor or Program Director

Please note that funding is limited. Permits will be processed according to the following priorities on a first-come, first-serve basis:

• Initial (first-time) permits starting with the lowest level permit
• Permit renewals starting with the lowest level permit
• Permit upgrades starting with the lowest level eligible permit

Renewals Funding is also available for online renewal CDTC will reimburse $55 of the $57 renewal fee for Teacher Permit only (you will need to pay the fees by MasterCard or Visa debit or credit card). Follow the instructions on Insert #3-b in the CDTC Application for Child Development Permit Funding (linked below) on how to apply for the renewal online and to be reimbursed the $55.00.

The permit funding is provided through the CA Department of Education Early Education and Support Services Division

APPLICATIONS

To apply, follow the instructions on the right-hand side of the Child Development Training Consortium page.

Step Four: Meet with Child Development Faculty

Once all of your required forms are completed contact the Child Development Faculty For Fast-Tracked Permit Processing and Letter of Verification to use while waiting for your actual permit is being finalized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Step Five: View and Print Your Permit Online

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (Commission) will only provide credentials, certificates, and permits through an online view and print process. The Commission will no longer print and mail these documents; they will be available online to colleges, universities, employers and the document holder within 48 hours of issuance. At that time, a document may be printed from the Commission's website.

Search for anyone's list of permits and credentials.