Child Development Permit

What Is a Child Development Permit?

The California Child Development Permit is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). It authorizes individuals to provide care, development, instruction, and, at higher permit levels, supervision and administration in California child care and development programs.

A Child Development Permit is different from a college certificate or degree. College certificates and degrees are awarded by Cosumnes River College, while the Child Development Permit is issued by the State of California through the CTC.

Child Development Permits are particularly important for individuals who work, or plan to work, in state-funded early childhood education and child development programs. Requirements vary depending on the level of responsibility authorized by the permit. (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing [CTC], n.d.).

Current Child Development Permit

The current Child Development Permit system remains in effect at this time.

The current system includes six permit levels, with progressively higher education and experience requirements. Individuals may begin at one level and move to higher permit levels as they complete additional coursework, degrees, and professional experience.

These are simplified descriptions. There are alternative pathways to qualification at several permit levels, so students should consult the official CTC Child Development Permit Matrix before determining eligibility.

Core ECE/CD Coursework

For the current permit, the three core areas are:

• Child Growth and Development
• Child, Family, and Community
• Programs/Curriculum

The CTC identifies these as the core coursework areas used within several levels of the current permit.

View the Current CTC Child Development Permit Matrix

Why Should I Apply for a Child Development Permit?

A Child Development Permit can document your professional preparation and expand employment and advancement opportunities in early childhood education.

Students are encouraged to consider applying when they first become eligible rather than waiting until they have completed their entire educational program. As you complete additional coursework, degrees, and experience, you may be eligible to advance to a higher permit level.

American River College similarly advises ECE students to apply once they become eligible and to upgrade their permit as they progress through their education. (American River College, n.d.).

Changes Are Coming to the Child Development Permit

California is in the process of implementing a revised Child Development Permit system. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved a revised permit matrix after a statewide Child Development Permit Workgroup reviewed the existing system.

When Will the New Permit Begin?

The revised Child Development Permit is anticipated to begin on or about July 1, 2028. Until the revised requirements take effect, students should continue to use the current Child Development Permit requirements when applying for a new permit or upgrading a permit.

Because implementation requires completion of the regulatory process, students should check the CTC website for the most current effective date and requirements. CTC's current public materials state that revised requirements apply to future applicants once they have been adopted into regulation.

The revised system reduces the permit structure from six levels to five and changes both the names and preparation requirements associated with the permit levels. The five revised levels are:

The revised structure also changes authorization scopes, increases preparation requirements for several permit levels, eliminates the current Assistant Teacher permit as a standard permit level, and introduces limited-term provisional certification at selected levels. (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing [CTC], 2026).

What If I Already Have a Child Development Permit?

Under the transition provisions described by the CTC, individuals who already hold a current or previous Child Development Permit may continue to renew that permit under the existing requirements for the duration of their careers.

After the revised system takes effect, individuals entering the permit system, applying for a new permit, or moving to a different permit level will need to meet the requirements that are in effect at that time. (CTC, 2026.) The CTC's proposed regulations likewise state that current and former permit holders retain the ability to hold and renew their existing permit.

How Do the Current and Revised Systems Compare?

This table shows the general progression of the two systems and should not be interpreted as a direct one-to-one permit conversion. Students should use the official CTC requirements applicable at the time they apply.