Training Requirements

Early learning licensing standards require you to finish specific trainings before you can care for children unsupervised (pre-service) or within a set timeframe. You need to also continue training throughout your career (in-service).

Use the Training Requirements & Completion Timeline for a summary of training and in-service training requirements for all job roles.

Pre-Service Requirements

Licensing orientation is the only pre-service requirement related to training:

Training

CCB is the first training you need to complete to meet part of the health and safety requirements for working in licensed or certified early learning programs. Read the Completing Child Care Basics Guide for more details about the CCB requirement.

DCYF works with Head Start, ECEAP, and school districts to recognize certain health and safety training offered at your site or program. These trainings count toward meeting state and federal requirements. To see if you can meet the CCB requirement through one of these options, ask your site supervisor if they offer approved training.

How do I record my CCB requirement in MERIT?
  • Site supervisors must create and attest training plans to DCYF. If supervisors need more information, they can email training@dcyf.wa.gov.

These federally required trainings must be finished within 90 days of hire or before you can care for children unsupervised (WAC 110-300-0106). You must also renew them on a regular basis. They include:

  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Basic/Standard First Aid
  • CPR
  • Food Handler Permit (if applicable)
  • Safe Sleep (if applicable)

These trainings are not included in Child Care Basics.

Read more about you need to complete each training and their renewal periods by reviewing the Training Requirements & Completion Timeline.

These modules cover the federally required training topics. Because these topics are already a part of CCB, finishing CCB means you have met this federal requirement.

  • Abusive Head Trauma
  • Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
  • Families Experiencing Homelessness
  • Mandated Reporter – Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
  • Medication Management

 Read more about completing each training by visiting:

In-Service Training

Every early learning provider who has worked at least 12 months in a row must complete 10 hours of annual in-service training (WAC 110-300-0107).

  • In-service hours are tracked by the calendar year (January – December).
  • You may carry over up to five in-service training hours may be carried over from one year to the next.
    • MERIT does not track these carry-over hours, so you need to contact your licensor to use this option.
       

Options for Completing Annual In-Service Training Hours

Use the "Find Trainings" feature in MERIT to look for state-approved trainings. Trainings are recorded in MERIT by the state-approved trainer. If your training does not appear in your MERIT record after 30 business days, email MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov.

If you complete learning through a non-state-approved source such as an  out-of-state conference, you can submit a Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application in MERIT to request annual in-service training hours. You can find more details in the "Continuing Education Proposal" section below.

You can earn in-service training hours for college classes related to the WA State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education or School-Age Professionals. To receive credit, complete the "Coursework" section of an Education Application in MERIT and submit copies of unofficial transcripts to edverification@uw.edu.

You can submit up to three courses per calendar year. Each course must have been completed within the past three years. One college quarter credit is equal to 10 in-service training hours.

Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL) is a 20-hour training series completed over two years. You take 10 hours per year, and these count toward your in-service requirements for that year.

  • EQEL will meet annual in-service hours after CCB is completed
  • EQEL will build on content learned in CCB
  • Year 1 has two modules that are five hours each
  • Year 2 has two modules that are five hours each

EQEL trainings are required for people hired or promoted to a job role after Aug. 1, 2019. The following job roles require EQEL training:

  • Assistant Teachers
  • Lead Teachers
  • Family Home Licensees
  • Assistant Directors
  • Program Supervisors
  • Center Directors
'Year 1' EQEL:

DCYF offers online, no cost ‘Year 1’ EQEL training.

  1. Log in to the DCYF Training site at dcyftraining.com.
  2. On the left side, under the Catalog section click on the Cohorts subtab.
  3. Under Role section, select Licensed Child Care box.
  4. All available training cohorts will be listed.
  5. Select the training cohort you would like to complete.
    1. Start and end dates will be listed within the training title
  6. Click on the blue “Register” button to enroll.
  7. After registering, the training cohort will be listed under the In Progress section.
    1. You can access the training modules on the start date of the cohort.
'Year 2' EQEL:
  • Use the “Find Training” tab in MERIT to find available trainings and register.
  • WA ECE Short Certificate
  • WA ECE State Certificate
  • Associate degree in ECE or higher
  • DCYF-recognized education/credential equivalents for Washington State ECE Short Certificate or higher*
  • Head Start, ECEAP, and school district partnerships

*Note: Read the Equivalent Options for Education Guide for a list of education/credential equivalent examples. The community-based training and experience-based competency equivalent options are not eligible alternatives for meeting EQEL.

Following the completion of EQEL, the roles listed below need to complete 10 hours of Leadership Practices training every three years:

  • Family Home Licensees
  • Assistant Directors
  • Program Supervisors
  • Center Directors

Complete trainings in any of the following Washington State Core Competencies areas to meet this requirement:

  • Program planning and development
  • Professional development and leadership

Training Resources

The MERIT Workforce Registry is the official system of record for early learning professionals in Washington state. All trainings must be recorded in MERIT. 

You can find helpful resources and step-by-step instructions for MERIT and the DCYF training site below. More information is also available on the MERIT Workforce Registry webpage.

Use any of the following methods to find state-approved trainings for your annual in-service hours or to complete required trainings:

MERIT

Use the "Find Trainings" feature in MERIT to look up state-approved trainings that are offered in-person, self-paced, and online.

Find online trainings, including the federally required health and safety training modules, such as Safe Sleep and Mandated Reporter, on the DCYF training site.

  1. Go to the DCYF training site.
  2. Select the "Sign Up" option.
  3. Fill out the required fields.
    1. You must have a STARS ID number.
    2. Your name must match what is listed in MERIT. To change your name in MERIT, email MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov.
  4. Create a password.
  5. Select "Proceed to Your Training" to view the training catalog.
  1. Log in to your training account.
  2. Select "My Account."
  3. Select the "Job Role" type.
    1. Use the drop-down menu to update your program type.
  4. Select "Submit" to save changes.
  • Use the “Forgot your username or password” link on the DCYF training page login page to get login information. 
    Check your spam/junk mail folder if you do not immediately see the email in your inbox. Email MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov if you do not receive the email with your login information.
  • To update your password, complete the following steps:
    1. Log in to your training account.
    2. Select "My Account."
    3. Enter new password in the "Password" field.
    4. Confirm password.
    5. Select "Submit" to save changes.

The DCYF training site will record your completed training in your MERIT Workforce Registry record as long as your information in both systems match.

Email MERIT@dcyf.wa.gov if your completed training does not show up in your MERIT Professional Record.

Additional Organizations

Check the training calendars of these DCYF contracted training organizations:

The Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application lets you to request annual in-service training hours for a learning that is not a current state-approved training. You can submit a CEP application for these types of professional learning experiences:

In-person or online training. Examples may include:
  • Community-based training (such as a training offered by a hospital, Chamber of Commerce, or local library)
  • Online webinar or self-paced course
  • Training series (a training that occurred over a period of time)
Conference:
  • In-state events that are not already approved for in-service hours
  • Out-of-state events
You can submit your learning experience if it meets the following criteria: 
  1. You completed the learning experience within the last 12 months.
  2. The learning experience covers topics in the Washington State Core Competencies for early care and education or school-age professionals.
  3. You applied what you learned to your work.
  4. The learning experience was at least one hour long.
CEP Application Instructions
  • Official description of the training: handouts, brochure, link to specific training.
  • Your proof of attendance. This must include the title of training, number of hours/credits earned, date of training, your name, and the name of the trainer or organization.
  1. Login to MERIT.
  2. Select the Continuing Education Proposal application in the "My Applications" tab.
  3. Review information included in the “Continuing Education Proposal,” “Personal Info,” and “Employment” sections. Select "Next" after each page.
  4. Complete the "Training Information" section:
    • Select the Training Type: Class or Conference.
    • Make sure the training title, start date, and end date match your supporting documents.
    • Provide detailed responses to each section to help us understand what you learned, how it relates to your work, and how you plan to apply this information in your position. Each response must be a minimum of 200 words.
    • Complete "Organization Details" section.
  5. Review and submit.

Submit copies of supporting documents to training@dcyf.wa.gov within 30 days. The application will automatically withdraw if supporting documents are not received within 30 days. We may follow up with you if more information is needed.

DCYF offers reimbursement for state-approved training costs for professionals currently employed in a licensed facility. You may apply for a training reimbursement only once per DCYF fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) up to $250 while funding is available.

Child Care Center

  • Center Director
  • Center Assistant Director
  • Center Program Supervisor
  • Center Lead Teacher
  • Center Assistant Teacher
  • Center Aide

Family Home Child Care

  • Family Home Owner
  • Family Home Lead Teacher
  • Family Home Assistant Teacher
  • Family Home Aide

School-Age Program

  • Program Director
  • Site Director
  • Lead Teacher
  • Assistant Teacher
  • Aide
Step 1: Verify information in your MERIT Professional Record.
  1. Login to MERIT.
  2. Select the subtab labeled "Professional Record."
  3. Confirm your state-approved training is listed in the Annual Continuing Education Training section of your professional record.
  4. Confirm you have current employment in an eligible job role with a confirmed or verified status listed in the employment section of your MERIT professional record.
Step 2: Complete a Training Reimbursement Application.
  1. In MERIT, select "My Applications" tab.
  2. Select "Training Reimbursement."
  3. Follow the steps to complete and submit the application.
Step 3: Verify an active Statewide Vendor (SWV) number is listed in your MERIT record.

A conference/special event application lets organizations, practitioners, or individuals offer in-service training hours. This option must be approved ahead of time.

Conference/Special Event Application Instructions

Step 1: Verify your training is eligible for in-service training hours.

  • Make sure the training connects with the Washington State Core Competencies for early care and education or school-age professionals.
  • Make sure the training has clear learning objectives and allows participants to interact with others and practice what they learn. 

Step 2: Gather your information and supporting documents.

  • Provide a description of the conference or special event and the target audience. You can submit a brochure, conference flyer, or agenda. More information may be requested.  

Step 3: Complete a Conference/Special Event application in MERIT.

  1. Login to MERIT.
  2. Select “My Applications” tab.
  3. Select “Conference/Special Event Application” under the Professional Development and Training section.
  4. Select your event type and fill out the organization information, then select “Next.”
  5. Fill out the event information, then select “Next.”
  6. Fill out the session information, then select “Next.”
  7. Review and submit. 

Step 4: Submit copies of supporting documents to training@dcyf.wa.gov. 

  • The application and supporting documentation must be received at least 21 days before the training event to allow us time to review.
  • Incomplete applications automatically withdraw 30 days after the submission date.