Early Childhood Education Infants & Toddlers Certification Flowchart

Early Childhood Education Infants & Toddlers Certification

Basic I - Instructor 

Valid for Two (2) Years — Renewable

• Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
• One (1) Passport Size Photo (For First-time Applicant Only)
• Fingerprint Submission (valid for one (1) year)**
• Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
• Payment receipt of $40 (processing fee per certification)
• Official College Transcript
• Current recommendation letter from a Supervisor/ Principal (For Renewal Only) 
• Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses (For Renewal Only) 

1. First-time applicants applying for certification;
2. Applicants who have left and are returning to the CNMI Public School System (PSS) after two (2) years;
3. Off-island applicants

Instructor I

Alternative Certification

Valid for Two (2) Years — Renewable

• Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
• Fingerprint Submission (valid for one (1) year)
• Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
• Payment receipt of $40 (processing fee per certification)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Twenty-four (24) College Credits
• One (1) year of related work experience*
• Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/ Principal (For Renewal Only) 
• Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses (For Renewal Only) 

*Must provide employment verification for teaching experience 

Instructor II

Alternative Certification

Valid for Four (4) Years — Renewable

• Met Instructor I Requirements
• Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
• Background Check:
  • Fingerprint Submission (only if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
  • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
• Payment receipt of $80.00 (processing fee per certification)
• Proof of Passing Praxis II in Early Childhood 
• Education and Experience:
  • AA Degree and two (2) years of teaching experience; OR
  • Possess Infant Toddler Child Development Associates (CDA) credential or equivalent coursework and one (1) year of related work experience* 
• Official Transcript or Certificate of Completion of specific Intructor II courses:
  • Managing Health and Safety 
  • Toddlers and Preschoolers 
  • Infant in Child Care 
  • Toddler in Child Care 
  • Child Development and Guidance 
  • Parents and Child Care
  • The Early Childhood Professional
  • Observing, Recording, and Assessing Children's Development 
  • Principles of Child Development and Learning
    NOTE:  Coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education includes but is not limited to courses that focus on child development, early childhood education and curriculum, early childhood teaching and assessment, psychology, family development, health and physical development, mathematics, science, and children's literature. Such courses may be offered in various departments such as Education, Home Economics, Music, Art, Library Science, Physical Education and Recreation, Psychology, Family Studies, and others. 
• Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/ Principal (For Renewal Only) 
• Professional Development:
  • For Initial: Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses
  • For Renewal: Proof of completion of two hundred forty (240) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses

*Must provide employment verification for teaching experience 

Instructor III 

Alternative Certification

Valid for Six (6) Years — Renewable

• Met Instructor II Requirements
• Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
• Background Check:
  • Fingerprint Submission (only if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
  • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
• Payment receipt of $120.00 (processing fee per certification)
• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Six (6) years of relevant teaching experience*
• Current Recommendation from a Supervisor/ Principal (For Renewal Only)
• Professional Development:
  • For Initial: Proof of completion of two hundred forty (240) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses
  • For Renewal: Proof of completion of three hundred sixty (360) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses

Specialized

Valid for Two (2) Years — Renewable

• Met Basic I (Instructor) Requirements
• Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
• Background Check:
  • Fingerprint Submission (only if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
  • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
• Payment receipt of $40.00 (processing fee per certification) 

• Official Transcript or Certificate of Completion of specific Specialized courses: 

  Early Childhood Education

  • Computer Technology
  • Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
  • Education for Parenthood 
  • Guiding and Nurturing 
  • Safety and First Aid for Young Children
  • Administration in Early Childhoold Education
  • Introduction to Exceptional Individuals
• Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/ Principal
• Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses