CCP Candidate Resources
Congratulations on beginning your CCP journey! This guide walks you through the credentialing process, how to organize your portfolio, the exam and every form you'll need.
Steps in the CCP credentialing process
You'll be evaluated in the 9 Professional Ability Areas. Training can come from college credit, in-service hours, online or in-person training, or conference workshops from the five years before you submit your portfolio.
- RegisterComplete the CCP enrollment form ($350). You've done this step!
- Build your portfolioComplete your CCP Candidate Packet and build your portfolio using the MIE Data Entry Record.
- Choose your Field CounselorOnce your portfolio is complete, choose a Field Counselor or ask NECPA to assign one.
- Portfolio check, exam and observationNECPA sends your Field Counselor the observation materials and exam. They confirm your portfolio is complete, proctor your exam and observe you in your classroom.
- Council reviewYour Field Counselor sends your observation, MIE Data Entry Record and exam to NECPA. We create your CCP Candidate Profile for the Professional Standards Council to review.
- Your resultApproved, Pending or Open File. What each result means.
Once approved, your CCP is valid for three years. See how to renew.
Candidate forms
Download, complete and add these to your portfolio, or give them to your Field Counselor where noted.
Parent Evaluation Form
Two required, completed by families currently in your program.
Colleague Endorsement Letter
One required, from a professional colleague.
Director Endorsement Letter
One required, from your center director.
Experience Documentation Form
Document your 720 hours of work experience.
MIE Data Entry Record
Organize your portfolio using this record.
CCP Training Tracker
Track your 150 training hours across the 9 areas.
Plans for Continued Professional Development
Your goals and plans for growth.
Comparing credentials? See the CCP and CDA comparison guide (PDF).
Organize your portfolio like this
The MIE has 15 indicators. The Professional Standards Council looks at your strengths across all of them, so no single indicator decides your result. For example, extensive experience can help balance less coursework. Feel free to include any extra documentation that shows your abilities; your Field Counselor can help you decide what to add. You'll also receive feedback to guide your professional growth.
- 1. Professional narrativeYour approach toward children, families and the community.
- 2. Resume
- 3. High school diploma or equivalentA copy of your diploma or equivalency diploma, a transcript showing you completed all courses for graduation, or an official letter confirming graduation. High school juniors and seniors in a CTE early childhood program: include proof of enrollment.
- 4. Proof of ageA copy of a driver's license, birth certificate or other official document showing you are 18 or older (unless you are in a high school CTE early childhood program).
- 5. First aid, CPR and infant rescue breathingProof of current certification.
- 6. Two letters of endorsementOne from your center director and one from a professional colleague (not a relative or someone you supervise) who knows your work. Give the completed letters to your Field Counselor, who adds them to your portfolio after review.
- 7. Two family evaluationsCompleted by families currently enrolled in your program, using the Parent Evaluation Form. Give them to your Field Counselor, who adds them after review.
- 8. Two writing samplesOne showing how you communicate with families, colleagues or supervisors (for example, a letter to families, a memo or a conference report). One showing planning, management or record keeping (for example, a lesson plan, classroom procedure or anecdotal record).
- 9. 720 hours of work experienceComplete the Experience Documentation Form. Documenting more than 720 hours is welcome.
- 10. 150 clock hours of training (or 12 credit hours)At least 15 hours in each of the 9 Professional Ability Areas, from the five years before you submit your portfolio.
- 11. Comprehensive child development activitiesComplete the CCP Training Tracker and its related tasks.
- 12. Performance-based observation *Your Field Counselor observes you in the classroom using the Performance-Based Observation Booklet, to see your on-the-job skills and professionalism.
- 13. Plans for continued developmentComplete the Plans for Continued Professional Development form (typed or handwritten) and give it to your Field Counselor before adding it to your portfolio. Include a self-evaluation, past accomplishments, future goals and how you'll reach them.
- 14. National credentialing exam *Your Field Counselor will share the exam date, time and place.
- 15. Professional Standards Council review *Your Field Counselor sends your completed portfolio and exam to NECPA for the Council's review.
* NECPA adds indicators 12, 14 and 15 to your portfolio after they're completed.
An important partner in your process
Your Field Counselor is a highly qualified child care professional approved by The NECPA Commission, Inc. They check that your portfolio is complete, observe you in your classroom and proctor your exam. They also know local resources and can offer guidance and suggestions.
NECPA can assign a local Field Counselor, but we suggest choosing your own. A familiar face in your classroom can help you feel more at ease during your observation.
Please keep in mind
- Field Counselors volunteer their time, so be considerate of their schedules
- They'll make every effort to meet with you when needed
- Questions or concerns about your process or your Field Counselor? Call 571-210-4818 or email [email protected]
The 9 Professional Ability Areas and sub-topics
You need at least 15 training hours in each area, and 150 hours in total. Open an area to see its sub-topics.
1. Establish and maintain a safe, nurturing, purposeful learning environment
- Establishing a compassionate, friendly and caring relationship with children
- Effective and safe use of space, resources and equipment
- Managing emergencies and initiating first aid and CPR
- Promoting health care, nutrition and hygiene for children
- Establishing accident and illness prevention procedures
2. Promote children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
- Physical: fine and gross motor skills, perceptual skills, auditory skills
- Cognitive: language expression and comprehension, reading ability, science knowledge and skills, understanding and appreciation of the natural world, math ability, problem solving and critical thinking
- Social and emotional: judgment and decision-making, everyday critical thinking, social skills (cooperation, helping, sharing, friendships), social knowledge (family, culture, community), positive self-concept and self-esteem, healthy emotional expression, communication skills
3. Create a purposeful learning environment through curriculum and content
- Promoting motivation and interest in children
- Developing lesson plans
- Using effective educational practices with young children
- Developing curriculum and using it effectively
- Using effective techniques and materials to promote development
- Using child- and teacher-initiated activities
- Understanding child and teacher interactions
4. Create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment
- Designing activities with cultural richness
- Ensuring sensitivity to cultural diversity among children
5. Engage in effective management of learning environments
- Developing planning, record-keeping and reporting procedures
- Using positive guidance and discipline
- Minimizing disruption in the classroom
- Using time efficiently
- Building staff and director interactions
- Promoting adult interactions in the classroom
- Knowing standards, regulations and licensing
6. Maintain a commitment to professional development and leadership
- Maintaining ethical practice
- Affiliating with early childhood associations
- Communicating effectively
- Knowing early childhood practice and research
7. Use assessment to plan learning opportunities and document outcomes
- Developing strategies to evaluate teaching effectiveness
- Developing a plan for professional growth
- Setting goals and monitoring progress toward them
8. Demonstrate knowledge of child development theory, research and practice
- Understanding facts and misconceptions about development
- Understanding teacher expectations and learning
- Knowing theories of development, teaching and learning
- Understanding the role of child care and early childhood education
- Understanding the role of the early childhood professional
9. Demonstrate computer literacy and promote learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math)
- Selecting software and apps that fit children's developmental stages and STEAM goals
- Finding safe, educational resources for exploring science, technology, engineering, art and math
- Using computers and digital devices for interactive STEAM projects
- Using basic computer tools (word processing, spreadsheets) to plan and document STEAM learning
- Guiding experiments such as color mixing, weather observation and sensory investigation with digital tools
- Teaching sequencing, patterns and cause and effect through building with simple machines
- Encouraging block building and shape exploration, enhanced by digital design or simulation tools
- Combining art, music and rhythm with technology for multimedia projects
- Teaching counting, number recognition, sorting, categorizing and shape identification
The Early Childhood Education Specialist Exam
The exam is your chance to show what you've mastered. It gives every candidate nationwide the same independent, objective measure of knowledge and skills across the 9 Professional Ability Areas.
Why the exam matters
- It gives objective evidence of your knowledge, whatever your education or training path
- It holds every candidate to the same high standard nationwide
- It gives you feedback to keep growing your skills
- It assures families and employers of a credential holder's abilities
- It shows colleges and universities the CCP is backed by validated evidence
Try a few sample questions
Questions test the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for quality child care. Sometimes every answer may seem right; choose what is accepted as best practice nationally.
Sample question 1: What is the best practice to ensure child safety in a child care setting during outdoor playtime?
- Allow children to freely wander and explore without adult supervision.
- Provide age-inappropriate toys and equipment for added excitement.
- Ensure adequate adult supervision at all times.
- Allow children to engage in rough play to build resilience.
Show answer
Answer: C. Ensure adequate adult supervision at all times.
Sample question 2: In a comprehensive child care curriculum that emphasizes social, emotional and cognitive learning, which activity would best promote all three?
- Watching educational cartoons on a screen.
- Engaging in a group art project where children work together to create a mural.
- Playing with toys independently in a designated play area.
- Memorizing and reciting alphabet letters in a quiet corner.
Show answer
Answer: B. Engaging in a group art project where children work together to create a mural.
Sample question 3: During a family-teacher meeting at a preschool, what is the most valuable information to share about yourself as a professional child care teacher?
- Your favorite hobbies and interests outside of teaching.
- The names and backgrounds of all your colleagues.
- Your experience, qualifications and teaching approach.
- The preschool's administrative policies and procedures.
Show answer
Answer: C. Your experience, qualifications and teaching approach.
We're here to help
Questions about your CCP? Call 571-210-4818, email [email protected] or read the CCP FAQs.