Continuing Education Units

The Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). The Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, The Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.

All Office of Child Care Regulation courses have an option to earn CEUs.

Child care credentials require “Continuing Education Units (CEUs)” to renew credentials. A CEU is a standard unit of measure of coursework used for training and credentialing purposes. The Department will accept CEUs for training offered by the Department, Office of Early Learning, from educational institutions accredited and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, organizations accredited by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET), or from nationally affiliated member based state professional organizations.

• Institutions accredited and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• The CEUs granted by IACET-authorized CEU Providers approved by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) are also acceptable for renewal of Staff and Director Credentials.

• Professional Contribution Requirement (Section 9)

  Must complete ONE of the following professional contribution activities within the last five (5) years.

  • Serve as an officer, committee member, consultant, or mentor

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must actively serve in a leadership role in a professional early childhood or school-age education field.

    Documentation Requirement:  must include proof of role in organization, including length of time involved and duties. Letter should be from the organization, client, or person being mentored. Membership alone does not satisfy this requirement.)

  • Publish an article

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must publish an article related to the field of early childhood or school-age education in a professional journal, professional newsletter, newspaper article, letter to the newspaper editor, or book.

    Documentation Requirement: must include a copy of the published article and proof of publication such as the journal, newsletter, etc. Blog type activities do not satisfy this requirement.

  • Participate in an educational research project

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must actively participate in a formal educational research project related to early childhood or school-age education. Research projects that meet this requirement are conducted in association with a college, university or private research group/facility.

    Documentation Requirement: must include proof of participation that was at least three months in the research project. Documentation of participation must include statement of participation from the research facility’s designated representative or lead researcher on letterhead, official consent forms or other form that outlines the research project’s goals and objectives signed by the research facility’s designated representative or lead researcher and research project outcomes, data and/or conclusions. Research papers assigned for a class do not meet this requirement. Informal research conducted within a child care program does not meet this requirement.

  • Complete a Florida-recognized accreditation program

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must have actively assisted with the initial or renewal of a Florida-recognized accreditation program.  Actively assisted refers to an applicant in a leadership role, who directly facilitated the accreditation process (e.g. implement quality improvements to policies and procedures, purchase play materials and/or implement an enhanced curriculum, complete the accreditation study and prepare staff for on-site program assessment, or other quality enhancement or job-related duty related to the accreditation process.

    Documentation Requirement:  must include proof of accreditation and a letter (on letterhead) from the early childhood program director, board of directors or accreditation agency which clearly outlines leadership role, accreditation activities completed by applicant and timeframe. For a list of approved accreditation organizations, visit www.myflfamilies.com/services/child-and-family-service/child-care  - select “Gold Seal Quality Care Program.”

  • Serve as an Accreditation or Credential validator or advisor

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must serve as a validator or advisor for a Florida-recognized accreditation program, as a National Child Development Associate (CDA) advisor, or as a school-age certification representative for the Florida Child Care Professional Credential School-Age Program.

    Documentation Requirement: must include completion of at least one validation or accreditation visit conducted in the last five years. Acceptable documentation includes a letter (on letterhead) from the accreditation or credential agency.

  • Professional journal or book review

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must serve as an editor or reviewer for a professional journal or book related to the early childhood education field.

    Documentation Requirement:  must include proof of completion of review such as letter from publisher.

  • Rule development workshop

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must actively participate in a rule development workshop for a governmental agency. Active participation requires providing information for change, rationale for change, providing written suggestions, or sharing information or opinions on proposed rule. Simply asking a question or giving a comment, does not meet this requirement.

    Documentation Requirement: must include proof of active participation at the rule workshop from the agency holding workshop and include information shared.

  • Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Program Directors (TICD)

    To meet this requirement, the applicant must complete the 40-hour Trauma Informed Care for Directors course with CEU assessment.

    Documentation Requirement: Transcript showing completion.