D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5-A, § 171
Child Development Home and Expanded Child Development Homes: Associate Caregiver Qualifications and Responsibilities
Effective Aug 1, 202572 DCR 008518Authority: Sections 3(b)(6A), 3(b)(9), 3(b)(9A), 3(b)(11) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000, effective October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-2602(b)(6A), (b)(9), (b)(9A), and (b)(11)); the Day Care Policy Act of 1979, effective September 19, 1979 (D.C. Law 3-16; D.C. Official Code § 4-401 et seq.) (“Day Care Act”); Mayor’s Order 2009-3, dated January 15, 2009; the Child Development Facilities Regulation Act of 1998, effective April 13, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-215; D.C. Official Code § 7-2031 et seq.) (“Facilities Act”); Mayor’s Order 2009-130, dated July 16, 2009; Sections 503 and 504 of the Early Intervention Program Establishment Act of 2004, effective April 13, 2005 (D.C. Law 15-353; D.C. Official Code §§ 7-863.03 and 7-863.04); Mayor’s Order 2009-167, dated September 28, 2009. Source: Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 7032 (June 29, 2018); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 5016 (May 7, 2021); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 008518 (August 1, 2025).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary
171.1 An Associate Caregiver in a Home or Expanded Home shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall:
- (a) Have completed or earned the following:
- (1) Sixty (60) credit hours of college-level coursework or an associate or more advanced degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation;
- (2) Sixty (60) credit hours of college-level coursework or the equivalent of an associate or more advanced degree from an institution outside of the United States and submitted a foreign credential equivalency report as required by OSSE;
- (3) A competency-based credential, representing a level of knowledge and skills equivalent to or greater than an associate degree and awarded by a nationally recognized credential program, should one become available and approved by OSSE;
- (4) A current CDA credential, or state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential as determined by OSSE; or
- (5) A high school diploma or its equivalent, provided that the Associate Caregiver earns a current CDA credential, or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential as determined by OSSE, within two (2) years of their initial date of hire as an Associate Caregiver in a Child Development Home.
- (b) Participate in at least four (4) child development-related training courses, approved by the District of Columbia Government per year, for a total of at least fifteen (15) hours of professional development annually; and
- (c) Successfully complete all health and safety training requirements set forth in this chapter.
171.2 Any person who is employed as an Associate Caregiver in a licensed Child Development Home in the District of Columbia on December 20, 2023, and who
has continuously served as an Associate Caregiver for the past ten (10) years, excluding any absences from the labor force due to caregiving responsibilities, may submit an application to OSSE for a continuous service certification that waives the qualification requirements in § 171.1. OSSE may deny a certification request for any reason consistent with ensuring the health, safety and welfare of children.
171.3 An Associate Caregiver need not reside in the dwelling where the licensed Home or Expanded Home is located.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 7032 (June 29, 2018); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 5016 (May 7, 2021); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 008518 (August 1, 2025).