Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten Certification Flowchart

Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten 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) 

**The CNMI Certification and Licensure Office requires fingerprint processing for the following: 

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

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 Childhood 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

 
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)
• Education and Experience:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent, twenty-four (24) college credits, and Proof of Passing Praxis II in Early Childhood; OR:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent, proof of passing Praxis II, and two (2) years of Teacher Aide 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
• Education and Experience:
  • AA Degree
  • Two (2) years of work experience*
• Official Transcript or Certificate of Completion of specific Instructor II courses:
  • Introduction to Teaching
  • Classroom Management
  • Instruction in Planning and Assessment for Diverse Classrooms
  • Multicultural Education/ Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students
  • Instructional Technology
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Inclusive Practices for Students with Special Needs

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

*Must provide employment verification for teaching experience
 
According to the Head Start Performance Standard 1302.91(e)(1) EHS center-based teachers qualification requirement should have a minimum of a CDA credential or comparable credential, and have trained or have equivalent coursework in ECE with a focus on infant and toddler development.