MERIT Training & Support

FAQs

You can change your job title in your MERIT account under the “Professional Record” sub tab. Please follow these instructions to change your job title: From the Professional Record tab:

  • Scroll down to the “Early Care & Education/School-Age Employment Information” section.
  • Click on the button next to your current employment.
    • Under the box “Employment End Date” enter in your last day in your current role.
    • Click the blue “Save” button.
  • Click on the “+ Click here to add Employment” button.
    • Under “Program(s)” check the box of the population you are serving.
    • Pick your “Job Title”.
    • Search for the Facility/Site by Name or by the Provider/Organization ID.
    • Verify the address and click the blue “Select” button.
    • Enter in your “Employment Start Date”. Do not enter in the “Employment End Date” if still employed.
    • Press the blue “Save” button.

Once you add your employment your employer will see your information in their “Facility/Site” tab. Once your employment is added your employer will need to confirm your employment status.

Your Health and Safety Information can be self-entered on the “Professional Record” page. In order to add your Health and Safety Information please follow these instructions:

  • Login to MERIT.
  • Click on the “My Record” tab.
  • Click on the “Professional Record” sub tab.
  • Scroll down to the “Health and Safety Information” section.
  • Click on the blue “+ Click here to add Health and Safety Information” button.
    • Choose your “Training Type”.
    • Enter your “Completed Date”.
    • Enter your “Expiration Date” if applicable.
    • Click on the orange “Save” button.

Your employer can confirm your Health and Safety Trainings in their Facility/Site tab.

A State-Approved Trainer is required to add a training to your MERIT account within 30 days of the completion date. If the training is not listed on your MERIT account within 30 days of the completion date please reach out to the Trainer to request that the training be listed on your MERIT account. Please follow these instructions to find the Trainer’s contact information if needed:

  • Login to MERIT.
  • Click on the “Find Training” tab.
  • Click on the blue “Trainers >>” button in the “Find State-Approved Trainers” box.
  • Enter the first and last name of the trainer listed on the certificate.
  • Click on the blue “Search” button.
  • You can either call or email the trainer using the information listed on this page.

If you are unable to contact the State Approved Trainer that delivered the training, please contact the Training Team at training@del.wa.gov.

Log into your MERIT account and select the “Applications” tab. From there, select “Facility Registration”. Complete the required fields.

Sign into MERIT and select the “Facility/Site” tab at the top of the page. From the employee roster, select the “edit” icon to the right of the employee that you want to appoint as your designee. Check the box that reads “Allow user to apply for Additional Designee”, then click “Save”.

Once you select the employee you want to designate as the Additional Designee, they will need to log into their MERIT account and finish the process. From the “Applications” tab, select the “Facility/Site” registration and complete the steps.

You must have a STARS ID Number before applying for a Portable Background Check application. Please verify that your first name, last name, date of birth, and gender matches what is listed on your ID. If your information in MERIT doesn’t match your ID please send a copy of your ID to merit@dcyf.wa.gov. Please follow these instructions to submit a Portable Background Check:

  • Login to MERIT.
  • Click on the “My Applications” tab.
  • Click on the blue link labeled “Portable Background Check”.
  • Complete and submit the application.
  • Pay the $12 fee.

If you’re required to get your finger prints done, you’ll receive a separate e-mail 3-5 days from when you submitted your application fee. If you do not receive the fingerprint email within this timeframe please contact our Background Check Team at backgroundcheck@dcyf.wa.gov.

If you need to pay for an employee’s Portable Background Check you can do this on your “Facility/Site” tab in your MERIT account. Please follow these instructions:

  • Login to MERIT.
  • Click on the “Facility/Site” tab.
  • Within this tab, click on the “Make PBC Payments” tab.
  • Select the checkbox beside the names of the employees you wish to pay for then click 'Pay by electronic check' to be directed to US Bank or 'Pay by credit/debit card' to be directed to Payeezy to complete the transaction.

If you have a cleared Portable Background Check you can print out your certificate by follow these instructions:

  • Login to your MERIT account.
  • Go to the “My Record” tab.
  • Go to the “Professional Record” sub tab.
  • Find the box labeled “Personal Data”. In the box you will see your username. Underneath your username you will see your Portable Background Check information. Underneath that you will see a blue link labeled “Click here to view and print your Portable Background Check Certificate”. Please click on this link and you will be able to print out your certificate.

Follow the steps outlined here to determine if your education needs to be evaluated:

Degrees and Diplomas Earned Outside of the United States

If you teach for the K-12 system, ESD or higher education, you can register as a state-approved trainer. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Log into MERIT and click on the "Applications" tab.
  2. Select the State Approved Trainer Application.
  3. Choose either Higher Education Trainer or K-12/ESD Educator, and then proceed with the registration pages.
Download the K-12/ESD or Higher Education Employment Verification form.