2026 Child Care Director Requirements by State

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Alabama

• Minimum age: 19
• Education and experience (one of): a high school diploma or GED plus 120 clock hours of child care training and 12 months of experience; a high school diploma or GED plus a CDA or CCP and 12 months; an associate in child development or ECE plus 9 months; or a bachelor’s in child development or ECE plus 6 months
• Also required: 20 clock hours in administration or management, plus 4 hours in quality child care
• Ongoing training: 24 clock hours per year
• Licensing agency: Alabama DHR Child Care Services Division (Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.06)

Alaska

• Minimum age: 21
• Education (one of): SEED career ladder level 7 or higher; 12 semester hours in ECE, child development, or a related field; a current CDA; a MACTE-accredited Montessori certificate; or another approved credential
• Also required: administrators without a related bachelor’s take 3 college credits every 2 years. At full-day centers, the administrator must be on site at least 20 hours a week.
• Ongoing training: 24 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (7 AAC 57.300)

Arizona

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a high school diploma plus 24 months of experience and either 6 ECE credits or 60 hours of ECE instruction plus 12 hours of program administration; 18 months of experience plus a National Administrator Credential, CDA, CCP, or 24 college credits (6 in ECE); an associate in ECE or child development plus 6 months; or a bachelor’s in ECE or child development plus 3 months
• Ongoing training: 6 hours of program administration training per year
• Licensing agency: Arizona Department of Health Services, Child Care Licensing (A.A.C. R9-5-401)

Arkansas

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE, child development, or a related field; an unrelated bachelor’s plus 4 years of ECE experience, a CDA, or a Birth-PreK Credential; an associate in ECE plus 6 years of experience; or 8 years of experience plus a CDA, Birth-PreK Credential, Director’s Credential, or ECE technical certificate within 2 years
• Training: New Directors Orientation within 6 months, then 15 clock hours per year
• Licensing agency: Arkansas Office of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing (Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers)

California

• Education and experience (one of): a high school diploma or GED plus 15 college units (12 in core ECE and 3 in administration) and 4 years of experience; an associate in ECE or child development (including 3 administration units) plus 2 years; a bachelor’s in ECE or child development (including 3 administration units) plus 1 year; or a California Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit
• Also required: 16 hours of health and safety training where required by state law
• Licensing agency: CDSS Child Care Licensing Program (22 CCR 101215.1)

Colorado

• Larger centers: a Department Director Qualifications Letter or an Early Childhood Professional Credential Level III or higher. Common routes include a bachelor’s in an approved major, an associate in ECE plus 3 months of experience, or 30 credits in specified areas plus experience.
• Smaller centers: additional routes, including a Credential Level II or higher, a CDA, a Colorado teaching license, or experience plus ECE coursework
• Ongoing training: 15 professional development hours per year. The qualifications letter must be renewed every 5 years.
• Licensing agency: Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) (8 CCR 1402-1)

Connecticut

• Minimum age: 20
• Administration coursework: at least 3 credits in early childhood or educational administration within 1 year of becoming director
• Head teacher: Connecticut centers also need a qualified head teacher, and the director may fill that role. Head teachers need a bachelor’s in ECE or child development plus 360 hours of experience and student teaching, or a high school diploma plus 1,080 hours and a CDA or 12 ECE credits.
• Licensing agency: Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing

Delaware

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience: 12 months (1,000 hours) of experience with children from birth to grade 2, plus an associate or bachelor’s that includes 15 ECE credits, or an associate or bachelor’s with 3 ECE credits plus a CDA. Certified birth-to-grade-2 teachers qualify.
• Also required: 15 hours of specialized training for centers serving infants and toddlers or school-age children. The administrator must be on site at least half of operating hours.
• Ongoing training: 18 hours per year for those working 25 or more hours a week
• Licensing agency: Delaware DOE, Office of Child Care Licensing (educator requirements)

District of Columbia

• Education: a bachelor’s or higher in ECE, child development, elementary education, early childhood special education, child and family studies, or a related major; or any bachelor’s with 12 credit hours in ECE
• Experience: 1 year of supervised experience with children
• Note: DC’s degree requirement took effect in December 2022 and was finalized in August 2025.
• Licensing agency: OSSE Division of Early Learning (2025 summary of changes)

Florida

• Minimum age: 21
• Credential: a Florida Director Credential, required before the license is issued. It builds on a high school diploma or GED, an active Staff Credential, the state’s introductory child care training, and 8 hours on children with disabilities, plus an approved child care management course.
• Credential levels: Level I (core requirements plus the management course), Level II (adds 1 year as an on-site director), and Advanced (adds 2 years as a director plus an associate degree or two administration courses). Renew every 5 years.
• Ongoing training: 10 hours of in-service training per year
• Licensing agency: DCF Office of Child Care Regulation (Director Credential)

Georgia

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a CDA, a Technical Certificate of Credit or Technical College Diploma in ECE, an associate in ECE or child development, a Georgia Paraprofessional Certificate, or 15 semester hours in ECE, each plus 6 months of experience; a bachelor’s in another field plus 3 months; a bachelor’s or master’s in ECE or child development (no experience required); or a DECAL-approved 40-hour director course plus 5 years as an on-site director
• Licensing agency: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) (Rule 591-1-1-.31)

Hawaii

• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s or higher plus 2 years working with children; 60 semester credits plus 4 years; or a CDA plus 4 years. At least 1 year must be with the age group the center serves. ECE coursework is preferred.
• Note: Hawaii updated its preschool rules in June 2024. Infant and toddler centers follow a separate rule.
• Licensing agency: DHS Child Care Licensing (preschool qualifications guide)

Idaho

• State rules: Idaho sets no statewide education or experience requirement specific to directors. Operators must be at least 18, and all staff need 4 hours of child development training each year.
• Also required: pediatric first aid and rescue breathing certification for staff counted in ratio
• Note: Some Idaho cities have their own child care licensing rules, so check locally.
• Licensing agency: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Daycare Licensing (Idaho Code Title 39, Ch. 11)

Illinois

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Education: an associate in child development or ECE, or 64 semester hours (21 in child development, ECE, or early childhood special education), plus one of: a Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level I, 3 semester hours in administration or leadership, or 3 approved credential training points
• Also required: a 6-hour disability course within 36 months of starting. Centers licensed for more than 50 children need a full-time, non-teaching director.
• Licensing agency: Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), the lead agency since July 2026 (23 Ill. Adm. Code 2008 (formerly 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130))

Indiana

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in early childhood or elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement; any bachelor’s plus 15 college credits focused on children 6 and under, or plus a CDA; or an associate in ECE plus 3 years of early childhood experience
• Note: Indiana has proposed changes that would add pathways such as a CDA plus 2 years. Check with the state for final adoption.
• Licensing agency: FSSA Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (470 IAC 3-4.7-21)

Iowa

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Points system: Directors need 100 points from education, experience, and training (for example, a bachelor’s in ECE earns 75, a CDA earns 45, and each year of full-time center experience earns 25), including at least 20 points from experience.
• Administration: one business administration course, 12 hours of administration training, or 1 year of administrative experience
• Training: 10 hours in the first year, then 8 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Iowa HHS Child Care Licensing (441 IAC 109)

Kansas

• Minimum age: 18, with a high school diploma or GED
• Centers under 24 children (one of): an associate or higher in ECE or a related field, a CDA, an ECE technical certificate, 3 semester hours plus 3 months of experience, or 6 months of experience
• Centers with 24 or more children (one of): a related bachelor’s plus 3 months; an unrelated bachelor’s plus 6 months, 12 credits, a CDA, or a technical certificate; a related associate plus 6 months; 12 related credits plus 6 months or a CDA; a CDA plus 1 year; or 6 years of direct care experience (4 years if in a licensed facility)
• Also required: the director must be on site full-time (35 hours a week)
• Licensing agency: Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC) (K.A.R. 28-4-429)

Kentucky

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s or master’s in education or child development; an associate in ECE; another bachelor’s or master’s plus 12 hours of child development training; another associate plus 12 hours and 2 years of experience; a Kentucky Director’s Credential plus 1 year; a CDA plus 1 year; or 3 years of full-time paid experience with children
• Ongoing training: 15 hours per year for staff with supervisory authority
• Licensing agency: CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care (922 KAR 2:090)

Louisiana

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): an Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate plus 1 year of experience; a national administrator credential plus 1 year and 6 credit hours or 90 clock hours of training; 3 years as a director or staff member in a licensed center plus 6 credit hours or 90 clock hours; or experience as a school principal, assistant principal, or headmaster with qualifying credentials (added January 2026)
• Ongoing training: 12 clock hours per year for staff with supervisory authority
• Licensing agency: Louisiana Department of Education, Child Care Licensing (LAC 28:CLXI.1709)

Maine

Maine ties director qualifications to center size. The minimum age is 21.

• 13 to 20 children (one of): a high school diploma plus 12 months of experience and 12 hours of training; 30 credits (6 in ECE) plus 6 months; or a CDA plus 6 months
• 21 to 49 children (one of): an associate in ECE; an associate with 12 ECE credits plus 2 years; 30 ECE credits plus 1 year; a CDA plus 3 years; or 5 years plus 135 training hours
• 50 or more children (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE; a related bachelor’s with 18 ECE credits plus 3 years; an associate in ECE plus 3 years; a CDA plus 5 years; 7 years plus 180 training hours; or Maine Roads to Quality Career Lattice level 5 or higher
• Licensing agency: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing (10-148 CMR Ch. 32)

Maryland

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Education and experience (by center size): Up to 20 children: 1 year of experience. 21 to 40 children: 30 semester hours (20 in ECE), or 60 semester hours plus 2 years of experience. Over 40 children: an associate degree with 15 ECE credits, or a bachelor’s degree in any field, plus 2 years of experience.
• Also required: 90 clock hours or 6 semester hours of ECE training (or a CDA), plus coursework in communication and child care administration
• Ongoing training: 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: MSDE Office of Child Care (COMAR 13A.16.06)

Massachusetts

• Minimum age: 21
• Certification: Directors need EEC Director I or Director II certification. Centers licensed for 14 to 79 children need Director I. Centers with 80 or more need Director II.
• Education and experience: Director I builds on Lead Teacher qualifications (ECE coursework or a CDA plus experience) and adds child care administration coursework and 6 more months of experience. Director II adds further administration coursework. EEC also offers bachelor’s degree pathways.
• Licensing agency: Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) (606 CMR 7.04)

Michigan

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s or higher in a child-related field; 3 months of experience plus a CDA, Montessori credential, infant family associate credential, or an associate in a child-related field; or 6 months of experience plus an associate in any field and specific MiRegistry training. The two options without a bachelor’s require the center to take part in Great Start to Quality.
• Administration training: at least 2 semester hours or 3 CEUs in child care administration within 6 months of hire
• Note: Michigan now calls this role the program administrator. Directors who qualified under the earlier rules remain qualified.
• Licensing agency: MiLEAP Child Care Licensing Bureau (R 400.8204, effective May 2025)

Minnesota

• Minimum age: 18, with a high school diploma or GED
• Education and experience: 1,040 hours of staff supervision experience, plus 9 quarter credits or 90 hours of training in staff supervision, human relations, and child development. A director who also teaches or plans curriculum must meet teacher qualifications too.
• Coming change: A new law effective July 1, 2027 raises the minimum age to 21 and adds coursework or credential requirements. Current directors are grandfathered.
• Licensing agency: Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) (Minn. R. 9503.0031)

Mississippi

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE or a child-related field; an associate in child development technology with 480 hours of lab practicum; an associate in child development or child care plus 2 years of paid licensed experience; or 2 years of paid experience plus a CDA, an MDHS Director’s Credential, or 24 semester hours of ECE
• Training: director orientation within 6 months, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Mississippi State Department of Health, Child Care Licensure (15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 11)

Missouri

Missouri ties director qualifications to center size. Each option combines college hours (with a minimum in child-related subjects) or experience plus child-related hours.

• Ongoing training: 12 clock hours per year
• Licensing agency: DESE Office of Childhood (5 CSR 25-500.102)

Montana

• Minimum age: 18
• Education and experience: a combination of education, training, and experience with children, approved through the Montana Practitioner Registry or the department
• Also required: current Practitioner Registry membership, CPR and pediatric first aid, and orientation training
• Note: Montana replaced its child care rules in May 2025. Confirm current approval criteria with the department.
• Licensing agency: DPHHS Child Care Licensing Program (ARM 37.96)

Nebraska

• Minimum age: 19
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE, education, or child and youth development; any bachelor’s plus 6 credit hours in those fields; an associate in those fields; a CDA; or a high school diploma or GED plus 3,000 hours of experience and 6 credit hours or 36 clock hours of approved training
• Training: director orientation within 30 days, and child care management training within 5 years
• Licensing agency: DHHS Child Care Licensing (391 NAC 3-006)

Nevada

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): an associate or higher in ECE plus 1,000 hours; an associate or higher in another field plus 15 ECE semester hours and 2,000 hours; a high school diploma or GED plus 15 ECE semester hours and 3,000 hours; or a CDA plus 2,000 hours
• Also required: 1,000 hours of administrative experience or a business administration course, Nevada Registry enrollment within 90 days, and approval of the director by the state
• Ongoing training: 24 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Division of Social Services, Child Care Licensing (NRS 432A.1773)

New Hampshire

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma or GED
• Experience: 1,500 hours working with children, plus 3 credits in management or supervision (or 2 years of supervisory experience)
• Education (one of): a related associate degree; a CDA plus an additional 3,000 hours; New Hampshire teacher certification in ECE, elementary, or special education; MACTE Montessori certification plus 60 credits; or 60 credits (24 related)
• Training: 6 hours within 90 days of hire, then 18 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit (He-C 4002)

New Jersey

• Centers licensed for more than 30 children: a master’s in a field related to children or business, or a bachelor’s plus 1 year of managerial or supervisory experience
• Centers licensed for 30 or fewer: the director must meet group teacher qualifications: 1 year teaching children under 6, plus an associate in ECE or child development, 15 qualifying credits (6 in ECE), a CDA, a CCP, or a qualifying Professional Impact NJ endorsement
• Note: New Jersey centers also need a qualified head teacher, which is a separate role with its own requirements.
• Licensing agency: NJ Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6)

New Mexico

• Minimum age: 21
• Qualifying pathways include: a bachelor’s or higher in ECE or a related field plus 1 year of experience; a credential such as the NM Child Development Certificate, CDA, CCP, NM Early Childhood Program Administration Certificate, Montessori certification, or an associate in ECE; or the Program Management 1 course or National Administrator Credential plus child development coursework and 2 years of experience. Confirm the exact combination with ECECD.
• Ongoing training: 24 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) (8.16.2 NMAC)

New York

• Outside New York City (one of): a bachelor’s with 12 credits in ECE or a related field, plus 1 year of full-time teaching and 1 year supervising staff; the NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential, plus the same experience; an associate in ECE with a study plan toward a bachelor’s or the credential, plus 2 years teaching and 2 years supervising; or a CDA with the same study plan and experience
• New York City: NYC centers are licensed by the city health department. The Education Director needs a bachelor’s in ECE or a related field, New York State teacher certification, and 2 years as a group teacher of children under 6.
• Licensing agency: OCFS Division of Child Care Services (18 NYCRR 418-1.13); in NYC, DOHMH Bureau of Child Care (Health Code Article 47)

North Carolina

• Minimum age: 21
• Credential: the North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential (Level I) or an approved equivalent. Level I includes two administration courses (EDU 261 and EDU 262). Directors must start working toward it within 6 months and finish within 2 years.
• Licensing agency: NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education (10A NCAC 09 .0703)

North Dakota

• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE or child development; any bachelor’s plus 6 months of experience and ECE coursework, training, or a director credential; an associate in ECE or child development plus 6 months; another associate plus 1 year and ECE coursework or training; an elementary teaching certificate plus 6 months; a CDA plus 1 year; or Montessori certification plus 1 year and ECE coursework or training
• Training: a basic child care course within 90 days of hire, then 13 hours per year
• Licensing agency: ND Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10)

Ohio

• Education: a high school diploma plus one approved option. Options with no experience required include an associate in child development or ECE, a Montessori credential, an Ohio administrator credential, or Ohio Career Pathways Level 3. Options paired with 2 years of experience include a CDA, four ECE courses, or Career Pathways Level 2.
• Training: state orientation within 30 days, a rules review course within 6 months, and a refresher every 5 years
• Note: Ohio no longer requires a bachelor’s degree for administrators.
• Licensing agency: Ohio Department of Children and Youth (OAC 5180:2-12-07)

Oklahoma

• Minimum age: 21
• Credential: a current Oklahoma Director’s Credential at Bronze level or higher. Bronze requires a high school diploma or GED, 12 months of experience, ECE coursework or a CDA, and administration coursework or 40 clock hours of administration training.
• Ongoing training: 20 hours per year to keep the credential
• Licensing agency: Oklahoma Human Services, Child Care Licensing (OAC 340:110-3-284.1)

Oregon

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): Oregon Registry Step 9 or higher; or a combination of management preparation (business or management credits, 70 hours of program management training, or 600 hours of experience) and child development preparation (ECE credits, 70 clock hours, or 600 hours of teaching). Small single-site centers have an additional pathway.
• Ongoing training: 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) (OAR 414-305-0320)

Pennsylvania

• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE, child development, special education, elementary education, or human services plus 1 year with children; any bachelor’s with 30 credits in those fields plus 2 years; an associate in those fields plus 3 years; or an associate with 30 such credits plus 4 years
• Also required: the director must be on site at least 30 hours a week
• Ongoing training: 12 hours per year
• Note: Pennsylvania is rewriting its child care regulations, with final rules expected around 2028.
• Licensing agency: DHS Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) (55 Pa. Code 3270.34)

Rhode Island

• Administrator options: a high school diploma, 1 year of administrative experience, and 1 year in a licensed early childhood program, paired with a full-time Education Coordinator; or 12 ECE credits, 2 years of administrative experience, and 2 years of early childhood experience, paired with a part-time Education Coordinator
• Also required: a profile in the state’s RISES registry
• Ongoing training: 24 hours per year in year-round programs
• Licensing agency: RI Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing (218-RICR-70-00-1)

South Carolina

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE, child development, or a related field with 18 ECE credits; any bachelor’s plus 6 months of experience in a licensed facility; an associate in ECE (18 ECE credits) plus 6 months; an ECE diploma or CDA plus 1 year; or a high school diploma or GED plus an introductory ECE course and 3 years of experience (1 supervising staff)
• Ongoing training: 20 clock hours per year, including program administration
• Licensing agency: SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education (S.C. Code Regs. 114-503)

South Dakota

• Minimum age: 18
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s in ECE, elementary education, education, or human development; a 2-year ECE degree; a CDA or similar credential; certification in a specific approach such as Montessori plus 1 year of experience; a child development technician diploma; or 4 years of verifiable center experience
• Training: orientation within 90 days of hire, then 10 hours per year
• Licensing agency: SD DSS Office of Licensing and Accreditation (ARSD 67:42:17)

Tennessee

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a 4-year degree; 36 credit hours (30 in business, child development, ECE, or a related field) or the Tennessee Early Childhood Administrator Credential, plus 2 years; or a high school diploma plus the 30-hour TECTA Administrator Orientation certificate and 4 years of experience
• Ongoing training: 24 hours per year
• Note: Tennessee published revised licensing rules in 2026. Confirm current director requirements with the department.
• Licensing agency: TN DHS Child Care Licensing (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06)

Texas

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma (for centers with 13 or more children)
• Education and experience (one of): a bachelor’s with 12 credits in child development and 6 in management, plus 1 year; an associate in child development with 6 child development and 6 management credits, plus 2 years; 60 college credits (9 child development, 6 management), plus 2 years; a community college child care administrator’s certificate, plus 2 years; a CDA or CCP plus 6 management credits, plus 2 years; or an approved Director’s Credential, plus 2 years
• Certificate: Texas HHSC issues a Director Certificate once you qualify. Experience must be in a licensed center.
• Ongoing training: 30 clock hours per year, including management training
• Licensing agency: Texas HHSC Child Care Regulation (26 TAC 746.1015)

Utah

• Minimum age: 21
• Education (one of): a CDA, CCP, or other approved national credential; a National Administrator Credential plus 60 hours of approved training; a bachelor’s plus 60 hours of child development coursework or training; 12 college credits in child development; or an associate in ECE or a related field
• Training: licensing preservice training, new director training within 60 working days, then 20 hours per year
• Also required: the director must be on duty at least 20 hours a week
• Licensing agency: Utah DHHS Child Care Licensing (Utah Admin. Code R381-100-7)

Vermont

Vermont ties director qualifications to center size. The minimum age is 21.

• 12 or fewer children: qualified as a Teacher Associate
• 13 to 59 children: Teacher Associate qualifications plus the Vermont Program Director Step One Certificate or equivalent management and curriculum courses
• 60 or more children: Teacher qualifications, 24 months of experience, and the Step Two Certificate or equivalent credits
• Ongoing training: 15 professional development hours per year
• Licensing agency: VT DCF Child Development Division (program director requirements)

Virginia

• Minimum age: 21
• Education and experience (one of): a graduate degree in a child-related field plus 6 months of experience; a bachelor’s in a child-related field plus 1 year; 48 semester hours (12 child-related) plus 1 year; or 2 years of experience (1 supervisory) plus a 30-semester-hour ECE certificate, a CDA, or Montessori certification
• Management: directors without management experience also need a business course, 10 hours of management training, or a child care management course
• Licensing agency: Virginia DOE Office of Child Care Health and Safety (8VAC20-780-190)

Washington

• Minimum age: 18
• Education: a Washington ECE state certificate or equivalent, verified in the state’s workforce registry. New directors can start with ECE quarter credits (10, 25, or 45 depending on center size) and have 5 years to earn the certificate.
• Experience: 2 years as a teacher plus 6 months of administration or management experience
• Ongoing training: 10 in-service hours per year after the first year
• Licensing agency: WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) (WAC 110-300-0100)

West Virginia

West Virginia ties director qualifications to center size. All directors must be at least 21 with a high school diploma and 1 year of relevant experience.

• 30 or fewer children: a CDA or 12 ECE credits plus 300 hours, or 10 years of experience
• 31 to 60 children: a Child Development Specialist apprenticeship certificate, 28 credits (9 in ECE), or 15 years of experience
• 61 or more children: an associate in ECE; a related degree plus 12 ECE credits and 90 practicum hours; a related bachelor’s plus 2 years; or a business degree plus 12 ECE credits and 300 hours
• Ongoing training: 15 hours per year, including management training in the first year
• Licensing agency: WV Division of Early Care and Education (78 CSR 1)

Wisconsin

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma
• 50 or fewer children: 240 hours as a teacher or assistant teacher, plus a preservice option such as 4 ECE credits, a Registry credential, or a CDA. Directors without a degree complete one Administrator Credential course within 1 year.
• 51 or more children: 2 years as a teacher or director, plus a preservice option such as 8 ECE credits or a Registry credential. Directors without a degree complete the full Registry Administrator Credential within 3 years.
• Licensing agency: WI DCF Bureau of Early Care Regulation (DCF 251.05)

Wyoming

• Minimum age: 21, with a high school diploma
• Education and experience: any combination of education and experience equal to 1 year in early childhood management, ECE, child development, or a related field
• Training: approved preservice training before licensing, a new director training plan within 3 months, then 12 training credits per year
• Note: Wyoming replaced its center rules in 2026. Confirm current requirements with the department.
• Licensing agency: WY Department of Family Services, Child Care Licensing (Chapter 11 rules)