1. (a) The department will issue an Early Childhood Associate I certificate, valid for five years, to an applicant who has met the requirements of 4 AAC 12.397(a) and

   1. (1) completed a 30-credit university or college early-childhood education program that requires at least 400 hours of supervised practicum experience; or
   2. (2) obtained a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) award from the Bank Street College of Education.

2. (b) The department will issue an Early Childhood Associate II certificate, valid for five years, to an applicant who

   1. (1) has completed an approved associate degree program in early childhood education;
   2. (2) has obtained an Early Childhood Associate I certificate; and
   3. (3) has met the requirements of 4 AAC 12.397(a).
3. (c) Possession of an Early Childhood Education certificate does not qualify the holder to be assigned as a regular classroom teacher.
4. (d) Early Childhood Associate I and Early Childhood Associate II certificates may be renewed upon submission of evidence of completion of six semester hours of credit in early childhood education, or a related field, and, for the Early Childhood Associate I certificate, the renewal of a Child Development Associate award, if applicable.

(Eff. 9/29/2005, Register 175; am 4/24/2016, Register 218)