Qualifications, Role Requirements, & Training

House Bill 1648 Update

House Bill 1648 gives early learning professionals more time to meet staff qualification requirements.

If you were hired before Aug. 1, 2025:

  • You must meet staff qualifications requirements by Aug. 1, 2030.
  • If you have 5 years of experience (cumulative or consecutive) by that date, you may use your experience to meet staff qualifications requirements.
    • Note: This experience option cannot be used to meet ECEAP job role education or to earn Early Achievers professional development points.

If you were hired on or after Aug. 1, 2025:

  • You have 5 years from your hire or promotion date to meet staff qualifications requirements. 

You can learn more by viewing House Bill 1648.

Staff Qualifications

High-quality early childhood education and care help young children grow and learn. Qualified providers create safe, caring spaces that support children’s physical, social, emotional, and learning needs.

To qualify for your job role, you must meet three main requirements:

  1. Pre-Service and Hiring Requirements:
    1. These are completed before or shortly after you are hired.
    2. Requirements depend on the program and your job role.
  2. Education Requirements:
    1. Education requirements are different for each role and program.
    2. You may have time to complete the required education or meet the requirement through other approved options (called equivalents).
    3. DCYF works with partners to offer education options in local communities.
  3. Training Requirements:
    1. Training helps providers build the skills needed to provide excellent care.
    2. You must complete training for your job role and continue required annual in-service training throughout your career.

Most staff qualifications and job role requirements are tracked in the MERIT Workforce Registry. 

For help using MERIT and step-by-step instructions, visit the MERIT Workforce Registry webpage.

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