Director Credential

Core Requirements

1. Active Staff Credential (Excluding Employment Recognition Exemption)
2. AND
3. Other Core Requirements:
   • Accredited High School Diploma or G.E.D.
   • 30-Hour Part I Department of Children and Families (DCF) Introductory Child Care Training
   • 8 hours of in-service training regarding children with Disabilities (DCF's Special Needs Appropriate Practices course will meet this requirement.)

In addition to the core requirements, please submit the documentation for the requirements of one of the following three different levels of a Director Credential based on your education and work experience.

Level I

• Core Requirements
• AND
• Completion of an approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course
  OR a Director Credential issued by another state

**Only transcripts from courses on this approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course list will be accepted for issuance of a Florida Director's Credential.

Level II

• Core Requirements
• AND
• Completion of an approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course
  OR a Director Credential issued by another state
• AND
• Minimum of one year experience as on-site child care director in a licensed child care facility or a child care facility that is legally exempt from licensure. Documentation includes a letter from the owner of the facility or a copy of the facility license.

**Only transcripts from courses on this approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course list will be accepted for issuance of a Florida Director's Credential.

Advanced Level

• Core Requirements
• AND
• Minimum of two years’ experience as on-site child care director in a licensed child care facility or child care facility that is legally exempt from licensure. Documentation includes a letter from the owner of the facility or a copy of the facility license.
  AND
  Complete one of the following:
  • An approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course (course may be substituted by successfully completing a three credit college level course in Child Care Administration, Business Administration, or Education Administration, if all other requirements are met), OR
  • Director Credential issued by another state
  AND
  Complete one of the following:
  • Associates Degree or higher, OR
  • At least two three college credit courses in one of the following curriculum areas:
    • Child Care and Education Organizational Leadership
    • Child Care Educational Financial and Legal Issues
    • Child Care Education Programming

**Only transcripts from courses on this approved "Overview of Child Care Management" course list will be accepted for issuance of a Florida Director's Credential.