Certificates & Credentials
Depending on your role, you may need a certificate or other credential to work in early learning. Explore your options and learn what you need to get started.
Washington State Early Childhood Education Stackable Certificates
Explore Washington’s Early Childhood Education certificates and equivalent options to find pathways that may qualify you for the roles you’re interested in.
Other credentials or training that may meet certificate requirements include:
A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential can be used as a DCYF-equivalent to an Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education. If you have a CDA, you do not need to earn an Initial Certificate in Early Childhood Education.
If you are working toward a Short Certificate, a CDA alone is not enough. You will need a CDA plus 8 college course credits in Early Childhood Education.
Interested in pursuing this option? Visit the CDA Council for Professional Recognition to learn more about the CDA credential. You can also visit the Find a College page to explore colleges and programs that offer ECE courses.
Montessori credentials can be used as a DCYF-approved alternative to certain early childhood education requirements. Approved Montessori credentials include credentials from MACTE-accredited programs, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and the American Montessori Society (AMS). The credential must be for an approved age group: Infant and Toddler (Birth–3), Early Childhood (ages 2½–6), or Montessori Elementary I (ages 6–9).
The education requirement a Montessori credential can meet depends on your role and other education you have completed. Visit Equivalent Options for Education to see which Montessori credentials may be used for different education requirements.
You can explore colleges and programs offering Montessori credentials through the Find a College page by selecting the Montessori program filter. You can also learn more about financial support through the Montessori Scholarship.
Interested in supporting early learning professionals as they build their skills and grow in their careers?
Become A State-Approved Trainer
State-Approved Trainers (SAT) share their skills and knowledge with early learning professionals. By providing training for annual in-service hours, SATs support teachers and care providers in developing as professionals. Learn more here.
Practice-Based Coaching Certification
Coaches work with teachers to set goals, practice teaching strategies and reflect on what they have learned from their experiences. Learn more about becoming certified as a Practice-Based Coach.