Q1:  What type of coursework is accepted from programs working to meet Candidacy Requirements?

The NAEYC Academy requires that all transcripts used to demonstrate staff qualifications either be from an accredited institution of higher education listed on the U.S. Department of Education website or be accompanied by an evaluation and verification of US equivalencies.  

Q2: Are international degrees accepted from programs working to meet Candidacy Requirements?

International degrees must be verified through a process of matching US equivalent degrees. Verification can be obtained through a company that specializes in this area or through an accredited institution of higher education listed on the U.S. Department of Education Website.  A company will provide an official report that can be submitted to NAEYC as documentation.  The U.S. institution of higher education will provide documentation if the international degree is determined to be equivalent to a degree offered at a U.S. institution.

NAEYC does not endorse, but provides the names of the following companies that deal specifically with international degree verification.

Q3: Would documentation of an expired CDA be accepted from programs working to meet the Candidacy Requirements?

A current CDA is required to meet the Candidacy Requirements for teaching staff qualifications.  Please contact the Council for Professional Recognition for further information.

Q4: Does NAEYC accept equivalents to the CDA or equivalents to college degrees from programs working to meet the Candidacy Requirements?

NAEYC defines a CDA equivalent, as well as an equivalent to an associate degree and a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a related field.  Read more about NAEYC-defined equivalent degrees.  Documentation of how a program meets these defined CDA and degree equivalents must be one of the following: 

• Transcripts that either indicate appropriate coursework earned from an accredited institution of higher education listed on the U.S. Department of Education website or are accompanied by an evaluation and verification of US equivalencies
• Articulation agreement from an accredited institution of higher education listed on the U.S. Department of Education website.  An articulation agreement is defined as an agreement between an institution of higher education and a training provider.  This agreement must verify that training given by the training provider is equivalent to an established number of college credits granted at the institution.  

Q5:  Must a program with a small teaching staff demonstrate that 75% of teachers and 50% of assistant teachers/teacher aides meet Candidacy Requirements?

All programs must demonstrate that 75% of teachers and 50% of assistant teachers/teacher aides meet Candidacy Requirements.  NAEYC does not “round up” when determining the percentage of teaching staff that are meeting Candidacy Requirements.  For example, a program with only 3 teachers must demonstrate that all teachers meet Candidacy Requirements because if only 2 teachers were meeting, the percentage of teachers meeting would be 66.66%, which is below 75%.    

Q6:  What type of documentation is required for teaching staff that are “working on” the CDA Credential, associate or baccalaureate degree?  

To demonstrate that a teaching staff member is "working on" a National CDA or degree, a program must document that the teaching staff member meets ANY of the following conditions:  

• The teaching staff member is currently enrolled in a course or degree program.
• The teaching staff member has been enrolled within one year prior to the program’s Candidacy deadline.
• The teaching staff member will be enrolled within one year after the program’s Candidacy deadline.

Documentation can include any of the following, dated up to one year prior to the program’s Candidacy due date:

• copies of an application
• grade report
• transcript
• letter from an advisor
• copy of a course out of a course catalog that the individual will enroll in
• flyer for a CDA preparation course that the individual will enroll in
• receipt of tuition payment
• military training modules

Documentation can not solely be a letter from the program seeking Candidacy or the individual staff member stating intent to "work on" a degree.  Reference the Sample Candidacy Materials for more information.

Q7: What is acceptable work experience to meet the Alternative Pathways to Achieve Educational Qualifications of the Designated Program Administrator?

Years of experience in a position that includes responsibilities in both program management and early childhood may be counted as program administrator experience.  This typically includes experience as an assistant program administrator or program coordinator, but does not typically include experience as a family childcare provider.

Q8: Can individuals working to meet the Alternative Pathways to Achieve Educational Qualifications of the Designated Program Administrator submit the same course for both formal education and relevant training and credentials?

No. Coursework submitted for the formal education column may not also be submitted for the relevant training and credentials column.

Q9: Does NAEYC evaluate the qualifications of administrative support staff such as assistant directors.

No.  NAEYC only evaluates the qualifications of one designated program administrator.

If your questions are not addressed on this website, reference the FAQ Master Document or contact Accreditation Program Support for assistance.