For Regular Grading: NAC Test and Praxis, NAC Renewal Paperwork, or CDA Fast Track Portfolio Copy and Paperwork, should be mailed to the address at the bottom of the first page of your praxis or portfolio respectively. Packages arriving after 8/31/22 are NOT to be mailed to the Arizona address only mail to the Florida address provided. Packages mailed to the Arizona address will experience extreme delays and possible additional fees. 

For Expedited Grading/Processing: Follow all expedited grading instructions provided when you registered for this service. 

Registration fees are non-refundable.  If it is more than 4 weeks before the event, you may email our offices to request to be switched to another event or Distance Learning.  If it is within 4 weeks of the event you are registered for, a $75 switch fee will apply.  You MUST call the main office to pay the switch fee.

Switches must be made before the class begins that you are currently registered for or the registration is forfeited.  

Please include the following in all emails to the office 

You will need a photocopy of your drivers license for all courses.  

For NAC Test and Praxis Tutoring, you will receive an email with a list of suggested documentation within 24-48 business hours of registereing. 

For the CDA Fast Track course, you will recieve a list of things to gather and bring with you for class. A computer with Microsoft Word is the most important item on this list and will be required for the course.  

Lastly, and this goes for any conference you attend in any industry. Have a budget in mind to spend on resources to take home with you. Don't attend any conference without this. You want to take full advantage of the conference and bring resources back that will improve your work life and your business. 

The Praxis is divided up into 20 documentation, evaluation and/or related activities and 4 additional extra credit documentation, evaulation, and/or related activities.  Each unit has 2 Praxis items attached to it and each of the praxis items are rated at 1.25 hours/.125 CEUs based on the estimated and previously documented amount of time that those activities will take. The entire praxis is worth 25 hours of the 45 hour NAC course. Students have up to 6 months to complete the praxis. The praxis is open-book. 

Optional Praxis Tutoring Session

An optional Praxis Tutoring Session is also provided to help participants be prepared for their Praxis prior to arriving. The Tutoring Session will also help them understand and get immediate help with the activities of their praxis. Participants who sign up for this session will be given a pre-conference documentation activity list that they will be able to work on prior to coming to event. At the event, they will have an opportunity to discuss their Praxis directly with their assigned mentor (all participants are assigned a mentor but customarily do not have access to the Mentor until days or weeks after the event is over.) The session can streamline the process of completing the Praxis by allowing participants to attend the sessions with a pre-understanding of the Praxis activities. This enables them to understand the necessary components prior to the discussion during the daily sessions and allows them to work on them during breaks and in the evenings. This is a great option for participants who are under a time crunch for receiving their NAC or who are busy working adults. This Tutoring Session is modeled after seminar based accelerated college and Master’s level programs.

Register for Tutoring Here

Tutoring is an option that is available for the NAC course. It provides students with additional help on the test and praxis. Tutoring is offered at all of the live events on Saturday and Sunday Evenings after class. Students who pre-register for tutoring and come prepared are usually able to finish their Test and Praxis during the weekend and leave having earned your certificate. Tutoring is also offered through Distance Learning. 

Click Here To Register For Tutoring

**Distance Tutoring will not be available 8/16/24-8/26/24. Persons who register for or who are registered for Distance Tutoring will resume the process on 8/26/24. 

If you need additional time to completeing your paperwork you can file for an extension on the website prior to your due date. 

Offering the opportunity for extension is at our discretion.  It is at the discretion of the instructor whether to offer this opportunity.  The instructor may decide not to offer this opportunity if the student has been uncooperative, has been found to have lied or cheated during their course work, has not followed instructions or any other situation which causes us to believe that the individual is not going to be successful even after this opportunity is given.  The instructor may decide to require attendance at a live event to receive any of these services based on what we deem is best to enable us to help the student to be successful. 

This sometimes happens when your computer stops recording your progress, however there is an easy fix. First clear your cache, replay the video, then continue to the next video. 

In other words:

1. Clear your browser history. 

2. Replay the video. 

3. Continue to the next video. 

Regular grading takes 2-3 weeks from when a file arrives and is checked into the office. Expedited grading is available and takes 24-48 hours for grading once a file arrives and is checked into the office.  Registration for Expedited grading/processing

***Expedited grading/processing will be suspended for CDA, NAC and NAC Renewal from 12/18/24 - 1/06/25.   Expedited packages that arrive between these dates will begin the expedited grading process 1/06/25.

You can register for expedited grading/processing here. 

Expedited Grading/Processing Instructions:
1. Register for Expedited Grading/Processing
2. Print Receipt
3. Place Your Receipt Inside your package
4. Write "Expedited Grading/Processing" on the outside of your package. 
5. Call our office at (602) 476-1422 to find out what address to mail your package to.  (The shipping address will be given based on when you estimate it will arrive.)
6. Mail your package and get a tracking number. Keep that tracking number for your records. 
7. Be patient and allow the office to process your package. Contacting the office before the allotted amount of time will delay the process. 

If for some reason you mailed your package before registering for expedited grading/processing please call to request alternative instructions. 

**Expedited grading/processing will be suspended for CDA, NAC and NAC Renewal from 12/18/24 - 1/06/25.   Expedited packages that arrive between these dates will begin the expedited grading process 1/06/25.

Some states require the college credit for your director qualification. These states include Florida and New Mexico. In these states you will be required to earn the UAF college credit inorder to receive your credential. 

The fee for college credit for the NAC course through UAF is now $200. This fee is a required fee is required for the NAC course if you will be using the credential for Director Qualification in either Florida or New Mexico. This fee can be paid by money order, cash or at live events by credit card with a $7.50 transaction fee. 

If you have questions about this fee or when to submit it please give us a call at 602-476-1422.

Coupon: Beginning 8/1/24, if you are completeing your course in person. Print this page and provide it to "Event Manager" at registration when you FIRST ARRIVE (before you enter the classroom, electronic version will not be accepted) to receive $50 off your UAF fee. NICCM will pay $50 of your UAF fee for each person who prints this page and has it with them when they check in for their class. Each page can only be used for one person. 

In Florida DCF requires a credit to be issued by a university for the “Overview of Childcare Management Course” and the Florida Director Credential. We have partnered with UAF to offer credit for this class and issue transcripts. UAF issues transcripts once a month. Your paperwork and grades are submitted to UAF at the end of each session. This process takes about 1-3 weeks from the session end date.  

* Registering for Expedited grading does not change the date that paperwork is submitted to UAF. If you are considering expedited grading, call the office to see what they suggest.

*Contacting the NICCM or UAF prior to the expected certificate/transcript date will delay your certificate/transcript. 

Once your paperwork is graded and a passing grade is received, certificates are processed within 24-48 business hours. Once issued, your certificate will be mailed to the business address listed on your Test/Praxis First Page or Portfolio First Page, unless otherwise requested on that form.

NOTE: If you are from a state that requires a UAF Transcript please allow extra time for your transcript to be issued. Use your Tracking number and consult your "peach sheet" to see when your certificate and transript will be available. Certificates are mailed the same day the transcript becomes available from UAF. 

POLICY CHANGE: Certificates will no longer be faxed only mailed. 

We are sure if you work dilligently and follow instructions you will do great, However if you dont pass you can file for re-testing here. 

NAC Re-Testing through NAC Tutoring $150

CDA Fast Track Re-Testing $100

Re-testing and Reprocessing Policy: Re-testing and reprocessing of incomplete paperwork is a courtesy offered by our organization and not a right held by the student. Students are required to do their own work, follow instructions, submit complete paperwork and any additional requirements of the course including receiving a passing grade per the course description.

Offering the opportunity for re-testing or resubmission is at our discretion.  It is at the discretion of the instructor whether to offer this opportunity.  The instructor may decide not to offer this opportunity if the student has been uncooperative, has been found to have lied or cheated during their course work, has not followed instructions or any other situation which causes us to believe that the individual is not going to be successful even after this opportunity is given.  The instructor may decide to require attendance at a live event to receive any of these services based on what we deem is best to enable us to help the student to be successful. 

You can order a replacement certificate here. 

***NICCM can issue replacement certificates for any certificate issued by NICCM since 2005. Certificates can take between 3-7 days to be issued, depending on the certificate circumstance. 

Regular grading takes 2-3 weeks from when a file arrives and is checked into the office. 

Expedited grading/processing is available and takes 24-48 business hours for grading once a file arrives and is checked into the office. Once a passing grade is received, renewing certificates are issued within 24-48 business hours. Registration for Expedited grading/processing.

Incompete renewal paperwork received by our office will be returned by mail to be completed and returned to NICCM. 

Code of Conduct

NICCM (The National Institute of Child Care Management) Is an institute of higher learning and as such has a basic “Code of Conduct” to maintain the integrity of the certificates, training credit and credentials rewarded by the institute.  Violating any part of this code is grounds for expulsion from any or all programs. 

Participants must follow the “Rules of Collaboration” whenever collaborating with another student.   Ignoring, being unaware of, violating or refusing/failing to follow these “Rules of Collaboration” are immediate grounds for expulsion from the program.

Participants may not cheat in any way by any definition including those listed under the “Rules of Collaboration” including plagiarism in any form.  

Participants must take responsibility for their own course and must contact NICCM on their own behalf.  It is not acceptable to have someone else contact NICCM about your course. This includes the person who might have paid for your course. The course and any credit or credentials received belong to the participant and therefore the responsibility for all communication concerning said course work or credit is the responsibility of the participant as well.   In the case of a participant needing the help of a translator, the participant must be the one leading the conversation and the translator may only assist in translating. 

Participants must follow all the rules of the course.  This includes any rules that apply including but not limited to:  rules regarding arrival and attendance of a live event including sign-in participation, course completion, test and praxis Instructions, tutoring Instructions, all rules that apply to distance learning students, rules set by any college or university with which the course is associated, rules set by any association or organization with which the course is associated, rules specific to the state or region where you are being credentialed, and rules regarding submission of your test and praxis or portfolio by mail. 

Participants must take responsability for arriving for their course prepared. It is the responsabity of the student to educate themselves about the course requirements and options of their course and to arrive prepared for class. Failure to come prepared can result in being reschedulded. A Participants refusal to take responsability for arriving unprepared will result in becoming inelligible to continue. 

Participant must be truthful.  A participant may not lie to an NICCM representative about anything related to their course, registration, or any above rules of the course. NICCM defines lying as the following but not necessarily limited to: a) Making an untrue statement with intent to deceive, b) To create a false or misleading impression, c) Intentional omission of the truth to create an alternate reality, d) An assertion of something known or believed by the speaker or writer to be untrue with intent to deceive,  e) an untrue or inaccurate statement that may or may not be believed by the speaker or writer.

Participants may not lend or give copy-written materials including printed or video materials to non-enrolled individuals or organizations. 

Participants must follow the chain of communication and workflow of NICCM organizational structure in all course work and correspondence whether verbal or written.  Refusal to follow this chain of communication/workflow or refusal to cooperate with any member of our team is cause for immediate explosion.  All team members of NICCM have the authority to make the final decision concerning any issue with which they have been tasked.  Refusal to accept the decision stated by a team member and/or administration of set rules or policies and/or requesting to speak to someone else is immediate grounds for expulsion.

Individuals must speak to NICCM Team members in a professional manner.  All conversations in which participants are slanderous, (accusations of dishonesty or lying) and/or verbally abusive toward the team member, will constitute immediate grounds for expulsion.

Whenever a participant is expelled from any program, they are ineligible for any type of refund, discount or credit for course work, registrations or any fees paid during the course of that training.  The act of violating the “Code of Conduct” is an act of deception whether pre-meditated or incidental and the participant’s actions have caused the action of expulsion which in no way is the fault of NICCM or it’s instructors or team members.

Once your Test/Praxis or Portfolio copy has been sent and arrives in our office it can then be graded. Be sure to track your package to confirm it has arrived in our office. Regular grading takes 2-3 weeks and Expedited grading/processing takes 24-48 hours. Once your paperwork has been processed it will be entered as Pass, Incomplete, or on the rare occasion a Fail. 

PASS: When you receive a passing grade your certificate will be mailed to the business address listed on the first page of your Praxis or Portfolio, unless otherwise requested in the "side margin" of the same form. 

INCOMPLETE NAC or CDA: You will receive an email with a list of items to complete and send in for reprocessing. 

INCOMPLETE NAC RENEWAL: Your paperwork will be mailed back to you for completion. 

FAIL: You will receive a call from your instructor and details on re-testing if available. 

Re-testing and Reprocessing Policy: Re-testing and reprocessing of incomplete paperwork is a courtesy offered by our organization and not a right held by the student. Students are required to do their own work, follow instructions, submit complete paperwork and any additional requirements of the course including receiving a passing grade per the course description.

Offering the opportunity for re-testing or resubmission is at our discretion.  It is at the discretion of the instructor whether to offer this opportunity.  The instructor may decide not to offer this opportunity if the student has been uncooperative, has been found to have lied or cheated during their course work, has not followed instructions or any other situation which causes us to believe that the individual is not going to be successful even after this opportunity is given.  The instructor may decide to require attendance at a live event to receive any of these services based on what we deem is best to enable us to help the student to be successful. 

Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers

1. Notify NICCM of any changes in job position, employer or contact information.
2. Show proof that you have met your states training requirement for each year, with at least 10 hours of training having been received from NICCM during the 2 you have been credentialed.
3. Complete renewal paperwork included the annual survey.

1. Notify NICCM of any changes in job position, employer or contact information.
2.  Have completed 10 hours of training having from NICCM during the 2 years you have been credentialed.
3. Complete renewal paperwork included the annual survey.

State of Florida Director Credential CORE REQUIREMENTS

1. High School Diploma or G.E.D.
2. 30 Hour Part I Department of Children and Families’ Introductory Child Care Training SCHOOL-AGE APPLICANTS may substitute training for Child Growth and Development and 
Behavioral Observation and Screening pursuant to 65C-22.008(4)(c)5., F.A.C.)
3. At least eight hours of in-service training regarding children with disabilities. The Department of 
Children and Families’ Special Needs Appropriate Practice course will meet this requirement.
4. Active Staff Credential Verification (CF-FSP 5206), excluding Employment History Recognition 
Exemption.

• Staff Credential Verification Must be active at the time of renewal. 
• Child Care Training Transcript will be used verify an active staff credential.

• Forty-five clock hours completed at a Florida Career Education Center (public vocational or technical school), Florida Community Colleges, or an institution licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education.
• Forty-five Department of Education district approved teacher in-service points.
• Any combination of the above training hours. (For example: 1 college credit +1.5 CEUs+15 vocational hours).
• Training must be completed within last five years. In-service hours, non-vocational class hours, or coursework previously submitted to earn an initial/renewal credential will not be accepted. Training must be under any of the following topic areas:
  • Overview of Child Care Management (cannot be the same course used for initial credential)
  • Child Care and Education Leadership and Management
  • Child Care and Education Financial and Legal Issues
  • Child Care and Education Programming

• Make a presentation in the field of early childhood or school-age education at a conference, association meeting, coalition meeting, or teach courses through an educational institution such as a college or career- technical center. (Documentation must include a copy of the presentation, agenda, syllabus AND sign-in sheet, class roster or conference brochure.)
• Serve as an officer, committee member, consultant, or mentor in a professional organization related to the field of early childhood or school-age education. (Documentation 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 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 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 related to early childhood or school-age education. (Documentation must include proof participation was at least three months in the research project.)
• Complete initial or renewal of a Florida-recognized accreditation program. (Documentation must include proof of accreditation.) For a list of approved accreditation organizations, visit www.myflorida.com/childcare - select “Gold Seal Quality Care Program.”
• 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 must include completion of one validation or accreditation visit.)
• Serve as an editor or reviewer for a professional journal or book. (Documentation must include proof of completion of review such as letter from publisher.)
• Participate in a rule development workshop for a governmental agency. (Documentation must include proof of active participation at the rule workshop from agency holding workshop and include information shared. Active participation requires providing information for change, rationale for change, providing written suggestions, or sharing information or opinions on proposed rule.)

According to Florida licensing regulations you must meet one of 4 educational requirements to receive a Florida Staff Credential.  One of the quickest and most cost effective ways to meet this requirement is to take NICCM’s CDA Fast Track 2.0 class and earn your National Child Development Associate (CDA). The CDA Fast Track 2.0 class can be taken through a live 3-day event or through the Distance Learning Program from home.

1. Formal Educational Qualifications 
a) B.A., B.S. or advanced degree in ONE of the following areas: Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Pre-Kindergarten or Primary Education, Preschool Education, Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly Home Economics/Child Development), Exceptional Student Education, Special Education, Mental Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Physically Impaired, Varying Exceptionalities, Emotional Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Speech-Language Pathology or Elementary Education with certification to teach any age birth through 6th grade (certification may be inactive provided the certificate is not suspended/revoked). 
b) A.S., A.A. degree or higher in Early Childhood Education/Child Development 
c) Associate's degree or higher WITH at least six (6) college credit hours in early childhood education/child development AND at least 480 hours experience in a child care setting serving children ages birth through eight (8).
2. National Early Childhood Certificate - Active National Child Development Associate (CDA) or other early childhood credential that meets or exceeds the requirements of the National CDA and is recognized by regulatory agencies in at least five (5) states. Recognition is determined by the Department.
3. Active Birth through Five Child Care Credential (Formerly the Florida Child Development Associate Equivalency Credential (CDAE))
4. Active School-Age Child Care Credential

It takes about 15 minutes to complete the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application, but you have the option to save your application and come back later to finish.

You will need to create and login to your Children's Forum Portal account and gather the following materials or information in order to complete the application:

1. Personal email address**.
2. Proof of residency
3. Proof of high school diploma or GED
4. DCF transcript
5. Copies of ECE certificates and/or college transcripts
6. Email address for the child care program where you are employed
7. License number (or if unlicensed, employer's Federal ID number,) of the program where you are employed
8. NAEYC accreditation status of child care program where you are employed
9. Number of children enrolled in program, and number for which program is licensed
10. School or training organization you wish to attend. Check the ECE Education Directory for options available to you.
11. Many scholarship models require your employer to sponsor you. Speak to your employer about T.E.A.C.H. before you apply.

** If you do not currently have your own email address, you can create a free email account at Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL or other email providers.

https://login.thechildrensforum.com/login

It takes about 15 minutes to complete the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application, but you have the option to save your application and come back later to finish.

You will need to create and login to your Children's Forum Portal account and gather the following materials or information in order to complete the application:

1. Personal email address**.
2. Proof of residency
3. Proof of high school diploma or GED
4. DCF transcript
5. Copies of ECE certificates and/or college transcripts
6. Email address for the child care program where you are employed
7. License number (or if unlicensed, employer's Federal ID number,) of the program where you are employed
8. NAEYC accreditation status of child care program where you are employed
9. Number of children enrolled in program, and number for which program is licensed
10. School or training organization you wish to attend. Check the ECE Education Directory for options available to you.
11. Many scholarship models require your employer to sponsor you. Speak to your employer about T.E.A.C.H. before you apply.

** If you do not currently have your own email address, you can create a free email account at Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL or other email providers.

https://login.thechildrensforum.com/login

The CDA credential is widely recognized

Demonstrates an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice

Can increase your confidence as a provider

Shows a commitment to professionalism

Creates networking opportunities with other providers

CDA is a stepping stone toward higher education

Counts toward required training hours

Offers financial advantages for other programs

Gives parents and families more confidence in your care

Opens the door for career advancement

The council requires you to have training in the following subject areas:

• Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
• Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
• Supporting children's social and emotional development
• Building productive relationships with families
• Managing an effective program
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
• Observing and recording children's behavior
• Understanding principles of child development and learning

The CDA Professional Development Specialist conducts the CDA Verification Visit with the Candidate. During the CDA Verification Visit the CDA PD Specialist:

• Reviews the Candidate’s Professional Portfolio
• Observes the Candidate working with children
• Facilitates a reflective dialogue with the Candidate.

At the end of the CDA Verification Visit, the CDA PD Specialist electronically submits the Candidate’s scores to the Council.