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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Becoming Licensed as an Early Childhood Educator
500 Hours Requirement
Education Completed Outside of BC
Licence to Practice Certificate Renewal
Professional Development
Expired Licence to Practice

Becoming Licensed as an Early Childhood Educator

What do I need to submit to become licensed as an Early Childhood Educator? (5 year licence)

You must submit a completed Application for Early Childhood Educator Licence to Practice form (you may download the form or request one from the Early Childhood Educator Registry). Sign and date the completed form. The completed form must then be sent to the Early Childhood Educator Registry, accompanied by the following documentation:

  • An official transcript from an approved training institution. You must send an original transcript bearing the seal of the institution and signature of the registrar. A photocopied or faxed transcript is not acceptable.
  • A letter of reference, signed by a licensed early childhood educator, confirming that you have completed at least 500 hours of satisfactory work in a licensed child care facility.
  • A copy of your valid first aid certificate from an approved first aid course.
  • Your current address and phone number.
  • Proof of name change if your current name is different from the name on your diploma or transcript.

What happens if I do not have all the requirements to become a licensed Early Childhood Educator?

In the event you have met all the academic requirements and have forwarded a valid, approved first aid certificate and a character reference letter you will be eligible for a one year Early Childhood Educator Licence. If you have not completed all the areas required for an ECE licence to practice, you will be sent a letter explaining what requirements still need to completed.

How do I know if my first aid is approved?

The Child Care Licensing Regulation outlines the specific instructional requirements and certification agencies for valid first aid certificates. Refer to the First Aid Requirement document for further details.

Will having approved first-aid training be sufficient to receive an ECE Assistant Licence authorizing me to work as an Assistant?

Approved first aid training by itself is not sufficient to be issued an Assistant Licence to Practice.You must complete at least one of the following ECE courses from an approved training institution:

  • Child Growth and Development
  • Health, Safety and Nutrition
  • Child Guidance

Submit your official transcript (photocopies are NOT acceptable) showing that you have successfully completed the course along with an application form and reference letter that acknowledges your good character and suitability to work with children.

If the training institution I attended has given me an ECE diploma or certificate, why am I not automatically eligible to work as an Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia?

Academic training is just one of several requirements needed for an ECE Licence to Practice Certificate. You must also have taken your ECE courses at an approved training institution, have an approved, up-to-date first aid certificate, and have completed 500 hours of work experience for a 5 year licence to practice. For a 1 year licence to practice you do not have to submit proof of completion of the 500 hours of work experience.

Can I send a photocopy of my first aid certificate or 500-hour letter?

Yes, photocopies of these documents are acceptable.

500 Hours Requirement

What are the requirements for the 500-hours of work experience?

Only applicants for the 5 year ECE licence are required to submit a letter verifying the 500 hours of work experience and providing a competency reference. This letter must confirm:

  • The letter writer must be able to attest to the fact that you completed the 500 work experience hours in a facility related to early childhood education. This includes facilities such as: preschool; out of school care; multi-age child care; in home multi-age child care; family child care; elementary schools; child minding (ski hill, cruise ships, etc); Head Start; Strong Start; emergency child care; and special needs child care.
  • Be signed and dated.
  • State the name, type of facility ( i.e. preschool, group daycare) and facility licence number, if applicable, where you worked.
  • State the dates you worked at the facility and the number of hours you worked. For example, your reference letter could say that you "well exceeded 500 hours of work experience between May 2004 and April 2005."
  • An early childhood educator must also confirm that they observed your work in an early childhood education setting and can confirm you are competent:
    • In the areas of child development, guidance, health, safety and nutrition;
    • To develop and implement an early childhood education curriculum: and
    • To foster positive relationships with children, families and co-workers.

If your 500 hour letter is written by an early childhood educator who observed your work experience, then you only need to submit one letter that includes all of the information listed. If your 500 hours letter is written by someone other than an early childhood educator, then you must submit a SEPARATE letter written by an early childhood educator that confirming your competence as an early childhood educator. Keep in mind that in order for an early childhood educator to write a letter regarding your competence they will need to observe your practice.

Can I use my work experience prior to registering in ECE courses to make up part or my entire 500-hour requirement?

No, the accumulation of your 500 hours of work experience must begin after the commencement of an ECE training program.

What is the difference between my 500 hours and my practicum?

Your practicum is part of your academic training, but it is not considered sufficient professional practice toward your ECE licence to practice. Therefore, you must complete an additional 500 hours of work experience before receiving your ECE licence to practice certificate. The 500 hours of work experience must be relevant to early childhood education.

Education Completed Outside of BC

If you have completed your education outside of BC there are 3 routes to have your credentials evaluated to determine academic equivalency required for licensure in BC.

Please review, Selecting a Credential Evaluation Process for information on how to choose the process that is right for you.

Licence to Practice Certificate Renewal

My ECE Certificate is about to expire. What do I need to send in for renewal?

You must send in the following:

  • A completed Renewal for Early Childhood Educator Licence to Practice form (you may download the form or request one from the Early Childhood Educator Registry). Sign and date the completed application form.
  • A letter of reference that has been signed by a co-worker, parent, or ECE professional with whom you have worked. The letter must also document a minimum of 400 hours of ECE work experience over the past five years. The letter must explicitly state your work was at least "satisfactory".
  • Proof of attendance (either a certificate of completion, or letter from the workshop/conference officiator) at ECE seminars, conferences, or workshops, totaling at least 12 hours within the past five years, OR,
  • Proof of completion of a post-secondary course related to ECE and taken within the past five years.
  • Current address and telephone number.
  • Proof of name change, if applicable.

My Assistant Licence is about to expire. What do I need to send in for renewal?

You must send in the following:

  • A completed Application/Renewal for Early Childhood Educator Assistant Licence to Practice form (you may download the form or request one from the Early Childhood Educator Registry). Sign and date the completed application form.
  • A letter of reference that has been signed by a co-worker, parent, or ECE professional with whom you have worked. The letter must also document a minimum of 400 hours of ECE work experience over the past five years. The letter must explicitly state your work was at least "satisfactory".
  • Proof of completion of a post-secondary course related to ECE and taken within the past five years.
  • Current address and telephone number.
  • Proof of name change, if applicable.

Professional Development

Can first aid training, food safe, computer training, stress management, or tax courses count toward my 12 hours of professional development?

No, the workshops you count toward your 12 hours of professional development must be specifically early childhood education related. Their purpose is to ensure that you are staying current in the field of early childhood education.

Where can I find a list of workshops taking place in my area?

Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office or contact the Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC).

Can I use an Infant/Toddler or Special Needs course as professional development for renewal of my basic certificate?

Yes, Infant/Toddler and Special Needs courses can count as professional development for renewal of your basic ECE certificate. As proof of completion of this course, you must submit a copy of your official transcript. In this case, photocopies of transcripts are acceptable.

I have heard that the professional development requirement for renewal of my ECE license is increasing from 12 hours to 40 hours. Is this true?

Yes, the Child Care Licensing Regulation changed in November 2007 and increased the professional development requirement for renewal of an ECE License from 12 hours of professional development to 40 hours of professional development, beginning November 8, 2009. If your license to practice expires before November 8, 2009 you still need only submit the 12 hours of professional development.

Expired Licence to Practice

I received my ECE Licence to Practice Certificate a number of years ago. I have not renewed it since then, but I would now like to. What do I have to do to renew my licence to practice?

Licence to Practice Certificates expire after five years. If you miss more than one renewal date, you will have to provide proof of additional hours of work experience and professional development. For two or more missed renewal periods the following is required:

  • A completed Renewal for Early Childhood Educator Licence to Practice form (you may download the form or request one from the Early Childhood Educator Registry). Sign and date the completed application form.
  • A letter of reference that has been signed by a co-worker, parent or ECE professional with whom you have worked. The letter must also document a minimum of 500 hours of work experience hours with 400 of these hours being completed within the last five years. The letter must explicitly state your work was at least “satisfactory.”
  • Proof of attendance (either certificate of completion, or letter from the workshop/conference officiator) at early childhood education seminars, conferences, or workshops OR proof of completion of a post-secondary course related to early childhood educator for each missed renewal period. One course must have been completed within the past five years.
  • At least 12 hours of the professional development requirement and 400 of the 500 hours of work experience must be completed in the last 5 years.
  • Professional development requirements accumulate depending on how many renewal periods are missed. Currently you must complete twelve hours is required for each renewal period you have missed. This will increase to 40 hours on November 8, 2009. In all cases, a portion of these hours must have been completed within the last five years (please contact the Early Childhood Educator Registry for more information on your unique situation).
  • Current address and telephone number.
  • Proof of name change, if applicable.