Overview
The Child Development Permit is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and authorizes service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child development program. It verifies that you have fulfilled the requirements, established by the CTC, for assisting, teaching, or supervising in a child development program in the state of California.
Child Development Permit FAQ
You must have a permit to be eligible to apply for jobs in subsidized centers funded by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education. Though most private programs do not require teachers to have a Child Development Permit, having a Permit expands your career options, allows for more opportunities for advancement, and tells employers that you have met a level of academic and professional qualification.
We encourage our ECE students to apply for the Child Development Permit as soon as they qualify and to upgrade their permits as they advance through their coursework.
The Child Development Permit has six levels:
- Assistant Teacher
- Associate Teacher
- Teacher
- Master Teacher
- Site Supervisor
- Program Director
Each level has different academic and work experience qualifications, and there are multiple ways to qualify for different permits.
Download the Child Development Permit Matrix, which details the qualifications for each level of the permit.
Find more information at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website.
The CTC Certification Division is available to help you via email or live chat.
- Email: credentials@ctc.ca.gov
- Live Chat: Monday through Friday, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Credential FAQs: General Questions
You can also learn more about the Child Development Permit and how to apply online for a Child Development Permit Stipend through the Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC).
For questions on the Child Development Permit Stipend and how to apply online, email CDTC-Permit@yosemite.edu.
Participation in the CDTC Child Development Permit Stipend Program is not required to obtain a child development permit. Individuals may apply directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). When applying directly to the CTC, all fees are the responsibility of the permit applicant.
The application fee is $100 and fingerprinting costs $70 to $90. There is often funding available through the Child Development Training Consortium Permit Stipend Program to pay the application fee and reimburse $50 for fingerprinting costs for those applying for the first time for Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, and Teacher Permits; for renewing those permits; and for upgrading from those levels.
Yes, the permit requires a separate fingerprint run, even if you have been fingerprinted multiple times in the past.
No, you cannot apply while you are finishing a class. The grade for your class must be on your transcript for you to apply to CTC for a Child Development Permit.
A certificate is issued by American River College and demonstrates that you have completed coursework for a program of study. A Child Development Permit is issued by the State of California and demonstrates that you are qualified for employment in subsidized centers funded by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education. A Permit requires coursework, work experience, a professional fitness screening, and fingerprinting.
A Child Development Permit requires experience working with children from birth to 5 years of age in a group setting, such as a center or a licensed family child care home, for the time specified in the Child Development Permit Matrix. Experience is counted by days, not hours; working eight hours in a day or three hours in a day both count as one day for the permit requirement. Experience does not need to be paid to qualify. Practicum or supervised field work, volunteering and internships are examples of acceptable work experience. Work as a nanny, baby-sitter, or au pair does not qualify.