Earn national recognition for your work with young children
The CCP is a national credential for early childhood educators, awarded by The NECPA Commission, Inc. It recognizes teachers who meet high standards of excellence in child care and early childhood education.
$350 enrollment · no college degree required · valid for three years.
Already enrolled? Find your candidate resources. Already a CCP? Renew your credential.
Built for early childhood teachers
The CCP is designed specifically for early childhood educators. It is especially valuable if you have not completed a college degree, or if your degree is in another field. High school juniors and seniors in a career and technical education (CTE) early childhood program can earn it too.
The CCP is valid across the United States, and several CCP holders live and work abroad.
Why become a CCP?
- Be recognized as a distinguished professional, nationally and in your state
- Show families and employers your commitment to quality care
- One credential covers center-based preschool, infant-toddler, family child care and home visitor roles, with no separate certificates
- Meet teacher or director credential requirements in approved states
- Show your skills in a classroom observation by an experienced Field Counselor
What it takes to earn the CCP
Candidates are evaluated through the CCP Multi-Indicator Evaluation, which looks at your experience, training and skills in the classroom.
To enroll, you need to
- Hold a high school diploma or the equivalent, or be a junior or senior actively enrolled in a high school career and technical education (CTE) early childhood program
- Be at least 18 years old, unless you are enrolled in a high school CTE early childhood program
The NECPA Commission, Inc. may waive enrollment requirements in extenuating circumstances.
To earn the CCP, you'll complete
- 720 hours of experience working with children within the last 5 years, or while enrolled in a training program
- 150 hours of formal child care education within the last 5 years, with at least 15 hours in each of the 9 Professional Ability Areas. In-service training, CEUs, and college or non-college credit all count, documented on a transcript, certificate or letter
- A professional development portfolio, including a resource collection, letters of recommendation from a family and your director, and your professional development plans
- Two letters of endorsement, from your director and a colleague
- Two writing samples from your professional work
- An in-person classroom observation by your Field Counselor
- A national early childhood education credentialing exam
- A final portfolio review by the Professional Standards Council
Before you enroll: see how the CCP compares with the CDA, side by side.
Need training hours? Our training partner Smart Horizons offers a $299 annual subscription with 180 hours (18 CEUs) of self-paced online training. Browse CCP courses
Build your portfolio online or in person
Either way, your Field Counselor completes an in-person classroom observation and proctors your exam.
Online
Work on your portfolio at your own pace and submit it online.
- $350 enrollment, including your Candidate Packet
- Work around your classroom schedule
- In-person observation and proctored exam with your Field Counselor
In person
Build your portfolio with in-person support. Ask our team about available options, dates and pricing.
- Hands-on help putting your portfolio together
- In-person observation and proctored exam with your Field Counselor
Call 571-210-4818 or email [email protected].
Ask about in-person optionsThe 9 Professional Ability Areas
When you earn the CCP, you have shown the ability to:
- Establish and maintain a safe, nurturing and purposeful learning environment
- Promote children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
- Create a purposeful learning environment through curriculum and content
- Create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment
- Manage learning environments effectively
- Maintain a commitment to professional development and leadership
- Use assessment to plan learning opportunities and document outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of child development theory, research and practice
- Demonstrate computer literacy and promote learning through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM)
How to earn your CCP
- EnrollComplete the online enrollment form ($350) and receive your CCP Candidate Packet. Your enrollment is valid for up to five years.
- Complete your Candidate PacketBuild your portfolio, gather your letters of recommendation and endorsement and your writing samples, and finish your training hours.
- Choose or be assigned a Field CounselorOnce your portfolio is complete, select a qualified Field Counselor or be assigned one. See Field Counselor requirements.
- Request your observation and examYour Field Counselor submits the CCP Observation and Assessment Request through the NECPA Client Portal. We send them your observation materials and exam.
- Observation and examYour Field Counselor observes you in your classroom, proctors your exam and returns both to NECPA.
- ReviewAn independent grading organization prepares your CCP Candidate Profile, and the Professional Standards Council reviews it.
- Earn your CCPOnce approved, you receive your credential. It is valid for three years.
Approved
You've met every requirement and are awarded the CCP. Renew every three years to keep it active.
Pending
Some Ability Areas need improvement. Your Pending Status Letter lists them. Send proof of additional training within 3 months of your notice.
Open File
You'll be approved once you complete extra training or retesting in the areas the Council identifies. Send proof within 12 months of your notice, or you'll need to restart the CCP process.
CCP fees
| Fee | What's included | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CCP enrollment | Enrollment and your CCP Candidate Packet | $350.00 |
| In-person portfolio option | In-person support building your portfolio | Contact us |
| CCP renewal | Every three years | $74.95 |
Late and delivery fees are on the CCP renewal page. Training courses are purchased separately from Smart Horizons.
Approved in 14 states
As a nationally recognized credential, the CCP is an approved teacher or director credential in these states.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
For scholarship information or approval documentation, email [email protected].
Ready to earn your CCP?
Enroll online today. Questions? Read the CCP FAQs, call 571-210-4818 or email [email protected].