Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)®

The CCP Field Counselor

Field Counselors are experienced early childhood professionals who guide CCP candidates. They offer technical help, mentoring and field expertise, and they complete each candidate's classroom observation and exam.

Apply to be a Field Counselor Check the requirements

CCP candidates: once your portfolio is complete, you select a Field Counselor or are assigned one.

Who can be a Field Counselor

Three ways to qualify

Field Counselors must meet the education and experience requirements of one of these paths.

Path 1: Bachelor's degree

  • A B.A., B.S. or advanced degree in child development, early childhood education, early childhood special education, family studies or another early childhood field
  • 1 year working in a licensed center-based program serving children from birth to age 5
  • 1 year supporting or leading the professional development of another adult

Path 2: Associate degree

  • An associate degree in child development, early childhood education or another early childhood field
  • 2 years working in a licensed center-based program serving children from birth to age 5
  • 2 years supporting or leading the professional development of another adult

Path 3: Current CCP

  • A current Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential
  • 18 college credit hours in early childhood education or child development (birth to age 5)
  • 4 years working in a licensed center-based program serving children from birth to age 5
  • 2 years supporting or leading the professional development of another adult

Program experience can be as a teacher, care provider, child life worker, social service provider or a similar role.

Professional skills

Every Field Counselor should

  • Relate well to people from a wide range of cultural, regional and economic backgrounds
  • Be able to lead learning activities, discussions and problem-solving sessions with adults
  • Understand and explain local and national regulations, standards and guidelines for programs serving children from birth to age 5
  • Speak, read and write English well enough to carry out the role

Conflicts of interest

To keep the process fair, a candidate's Field Counselor may not be their:

  • Director
  • Co-worker
  • Spouse
  • Immediate or extended family member

Ready to guide the next CCP?

Apply online in a few minutes. Questions? Call 571-210-4818 or email [email protected].

Apply now