1. A. To qualify at each credential level, an applicant shall meet the requirements for that level.

2. B. Eligibility for Participation.

   1. (1) Participation in the credential program is limited to providers, as defined at Regulation .02B(33) of this chapter.

   2. (2) The following individuals who are employed or serve in a child care facility are not eligible to participate in the credential program:

      1. (a) Substitutes;
      2. (b) Volunteers;
      3. (c) Support staff, such as clerical workers and van drivers, who do not have child care responsibilities and, if applicable, whose assignment does not help to maintain required staff/child ratios;
      4. (d) A family child care provider, child care center operator, or letter of compliance facility operator whose registration certificate, center license, or letter of compliance is the subject of suspension or revocation action; and
      5. (e) A provider who has a documented history of confirmed complaints involving serious harm to a child in care including but not limited to child abuse, child neglect, injurious treatment of a child, or child supervision.

3. C. Upon applying to participate in the credential program, an applicant shall agree to:

   1. (1) Continue working in a child care setting for not less than 1 year from the date of acceptance into the credentialing program;
   2. (2) Complete continued training for the applicable credential level under Regulation .04 of this chapter; and
   3. (3) Pursuant to Regulation .04 of this chapter, complete the appropriate number of child care professional activity units for the applicable credential level.

4. D. Term and Renewal of Credential. At each credential level, a credential:

   1. (1) Is issued for a 12-month period; and
   2. (2) May be renewed annually under Regulation .05D of this chapter.

Authority: Family Law Article, §§5-551 and 5-573, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 1, 2001 (28:12 Md. R. 1104)

Chapter revised effective August 15, 2005 (32:16 Md. R. 1391)

Transferred from COMAR 07.04.09 to 13A.14.09 effective January 1, 2006

Chapter revised effective September 10, 2007 (34:18 Md. R. 1581)

Regulation .02B amended effective April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 526); January 4, 2010 (36:26 Md. R. 1998)

Regulation .03B amended effective January 4, 2010 (36:26 Md. R. 1998)

Regulation .08B, D amended effective April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 526)

Regulation .08 amended effective June 27, 2011 (38:13 Md. R. 756)

Regulation .09 adopted effective January 4, 2010 (36:26 Md. R. 1998)

Regulation .09 amended and recodified to be Regulation .10 effective January 4, 2010 (36:26 Md. R. 1998)

Chapter revised effective March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 513)