CCP frequently asked questions

The CCP is a national credential awarded by The NECPA Commission, Inc. It recognizes early childhood professionals who meet high standards of excellence in child care and early childhood education.

The CCP is designed for early childhood educators. It is especially valuable for teachers who have not completed a college degree, or whose degree is in another field. High school juniors and seniors in a career and technical education (CTE) early childhood program can also earn it.

One CCP covers center-based preschool, infant-toddler, family child care and home visitor roles. Compare the CCP and CDA (PDF).

The CCP is self-paced, so it varies from candidate to candidate. Much depends on how much training you've completed before you start. Most candidates earn the CCP in six months to a year.

Your CCP enrollment is valid for up to five years, and training from the five years before you submit can count toward your 150 hours.

You need a high school diploma or the equivalent, or active enrollment as a junior or senior in a high school career and technical education (CTE) early childhood program. You must be at least 18 years old, unless you are in a CTE early childhood program.

To earn the credential, you'll also need 720 hours of experience working with children and 150 hours of formal child care education, both within the last 5 years, with at least 15 hours in each of the 9 Professional Ability Areas. See all requirements or compare the CCP and CDA (PDF).

CCP enrollment is $350 and includes your Candidate Packet. Renewal is $74.95 every three years. Training courses are purchased separately; our partner Smart Horizons offers a $299 annual subscription with 180 hours of online training. For in-person portfolio options, contact us. See all CCP fees.

You receive your CCP Candidate Packet and begin building your professional portfolio at your own pace. When your portfolio is complete, you select or are assigned a Field Counselor, who requests your classroom observation and exam through the NECPA Client Portal.

Your Field Counselor sends your exam and observation to NECPA. An independent grading organization prepares your CCP Candidate Profile, and the Professional Standards Council reviews it. You will receive one of three results: Approved, Pending or Open File.

You have met every requirement and are awarded the CCP. Your credential is valid for three years and is kept active through renewal.

Your portfolio showed one or more Ability Areas that need improvement. You'll receive a Pending Status Letter that names each area and explains how to become fully approved. Record your additional training on the CCP Additional Training Form provided, and send proof within three months of your notice.

You can become fully approved after completing additional training or retesting in the areas the Professional Standards Council identifies. You must send proof of the additional training within 12 months of your notice. If you don't respond in that time, you'll need to complete the CCP process again.

The CCP is valid for three years. To renew, complete 36 clock hours (3.6 CEUs) of early childhood education or the equivalent, about 12 hours each year, and submit your renewal and certificates through the NECPA Client Portal. The renewal fee is $74.95. See renewal steps and fees.

We'll confirm by email that we received your renewal application. Please allow at least four weeks from that date for your approval documentation to be processed.

The CCP is an approved teacher or director credential in 16 states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Each state sets its own rules, so check with your state licensing agency. For approval documentation, email [email protected].

If you ask to cancel within 30 days of your purchase date and before starting a lesson, you'll receive a refund minus processing fees. Any use of the web-based or instructor-based product counts as full use, and no refund is given.