Get an EEC Professional Certification

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) offers optional professional certifications for early childhood educators.

Learn more about certifications, eligibility requirements, the documents you'll need, and how to apply.

Apply online 

About EEC professional certifications

EEC professional certifications show that you have certain skills, expertise, and experiences in early childhood education and care. And they allow you to handle specific responsibilities. 

This certification may help you get a different position at a current job or support your application for a future job. 
 
These are the position levels and the certifications:  

• Teacher level. This includes an infant-toddler certification and preschool certification. 
• Lead teacher level. This includes an infant-toddler certification and preschool certification. 
• Director I level. This includes a director I certification.  
• Director II level. This includes a director II certification. 

Note: You don’t need a certification from the previous position level to apply for the next level. But you must meet the eligibility requirements for that level.

Eligibility requirements for certifications

You must meet certain age, education, and work experience requirements for the certification you’re applying for.

Before you apply for a certification, be sure to review the details and eligibility requirements for the level you want to apply for.

Learn more about the teacher level eligibility requirements 
Learn more about the lead teacher level eligibility requirements  
Learn more about the director level eligibility requirements

And your application must include documents proving that you meet these requirements. You'll need to apply again if your documents are missing or unclear.

Keep reading to learn more.

Documents you'll need to apply

Have these documents ready before you start your application. You'll need to apply again if your documents are missing or unclear.

High school diploma (only if you're under 21)

If you're under 21, you must submit a copy of your high school diploma or GED.

Official transcript

You’ll need to submit a copy of the front and back of an official transcript with all of this information:  


• The college or university name and logo, and 
• The registrar’s signature, and 
• The course names and credits received, and 
• Degree earned (if you have one)

Note: It’s okay to open the official sealed envelope to scan or take a photo of your transcript.

What to do if your transcript is from a school outside of the U.S.

If your transcript is from a school outside of the U.S. or isn’t in English, you’ll need to submit 2 copies:

• You’ll need the original copy, and
• You’ll need to submit a copy with an evaluation and translation by a credential evaluation service. 
 
  Learn more about agencies that provide credential evaluation services  

And you’ll need to submit a copy of your degree or diploma (if you have one). 

What to do if you have college or university practicum hours 

Your official transcript needs to include these other details:

• The practicum name
• Threshold Program details and explanation (if you were in this program)

And you’ll also need to submit a letter with details about your practicum with this information. 
 
Here’s what’s the letter must include:

• A signature from school’s registrar or director on the school’s letterhead, and
• The total hours of classroom experience, and
• The age group of the children you worked with

And if your experience was with a high school program, you’ll need to submit a letter of recommendation.

Work verification form

You’ll need to complete a Verification of Work Experience or Practicum form and have your supervisor provide some details. 

Download Verification of Work Experience or Practicum form (PDF) 

Make sure your supervisor meets one of these requirements: 

• They must be an EEC-certified teacher, lead teacher, director I, or director II, or
• They must be licensed by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Pre-Kindergarten grade level, or
• They must be qualified from another state in the U.S. that meets EEC-standards

Your form must include this information: 

• Exact dates you've worked (months, days, and years)
• Total hours worked
• Address of the state-licensed facility you've worked at
• Age group you've worked with
• Signature by your program's supervisor (this must be the same name that's listed on their EEC certification, if they have one)

Then you’ll need to upload and submit the form with your application. 

Other documents you may need to upload 

You may also need to upload copies of other supporting documents depending on the certification level you’re applying for and your experiences.

Chapter 74 high school vocational training documents

You’ll need to submit a letter of recommendation from your high school program director on the school's letterhead. 

And the letter must include all of these details:

• A recommendation from your teacher, and
• The total hours of classroom experience, and
• The age group of the children you worked with 

You’ll also need to submit a copy of your high school diploma and your official transcript signed by your principal.  

Be sure your official transcript includes all of these details: 

• The school's name and logo, and 
• The principal’s signature, and 
• The course names and credits received 

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course or training certificate 

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course or training certificate 

You’ll need to submit a copy of your certificate with all of these details: 

• Your name and date, and 
• The number of units, and
• A signature from the Chief Executive Officer 

Note: We accept training CEUs from CCEI, MAEYC, or NAEYC only. If your training is from CCEI, we only accept the infant-toddler (4.5 CEUs) and childcare administration trainings (6 CEUs). Professional Development Points or workshop attendance verification are not substitutes for CEUs and won’t be accepted.

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential 

You’ll need to upload a copy of your CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. 

Your credential must include all of these details:

• The CDA logo, and 
• A signature from the Chief Executive Officer, and
• The credential number (this starts with the letter “C” and has 9 digits) 

Montessori documents 

Your Montessori certificate must be from an EEC recognized program that’s affiliated with the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Evaluation (MACTE). 

And you’ll need to submit these documents: 

• A certificate, and
• A congratulatory letter, and
• An official MACTE transcript

Other Massachusetts certifications or licensures 

You’ll need to upload a copy of your certificate if you have one of these Massachusetts certifications or licensures: 

• K-3 Teacher of Young Children with Special Needs certificate from the Department of Education
• Early Intervention Specialist certificate from the Department of Public Health (DPH)
• Educator in Early Childhood (PreK-2 or PreK-3) license from the from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) 

Apply for your certification

Once you have all your documents, you can begin the online application. 

The application takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Here's what we'll ask you to do:

• Share your personal and contact information
• Upload your official transcript
• Upload your completed Verification of Work Experience Form
• Upload any additional documents, as needed

Once you submit your application, you'll get a confirmation email from EEC with a record of your submission.

Apply online 

Submitted applications take 4 months to process.

Date published:	March 7, 2025
Last updated:	March 7, 2025