Child Care Licensing and Compliance

All child care programs operating in the District of Columbia must comply with the established child care requirements. Child care requirements ensure that programs are meeting the minimum standards for care in the District of Columbia. Programs must maintain substantial compliance. Child care licensing requirements that are checked in a program’s compliance history include:

• Ownership, organization, and administration
• Supervision of children
• Condition of equipment and materials
• Discipline practices
• Child/staff ratios
• Environment indoor and out doors
• Staff qualification and training development
• Criminal background checks
• Menus and food served

Learn more about the child care licensing and compliance.

K-12 Educator Credentialing and Certification

Interested in becoming certified in the District of Columbia as a regular classroom school teacher, pupil services provider or school administrator? Learn more about educator credentialing and certification.

OSSE offers live one-on-one consultations and technical assistance support every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please refer to the options below to schedule an appointment for the service you require.

• To schedule an appointment to discuss requirements, required documentation, or other general information, click Educator Credentialing Office Hours.
• To schedule an appointment to receive technical assistance to use or access the ECIS system to submit an educator credential application, click ECIS Technical Support Office Hours.
• For general questions or information regarding educator credentialing, please contact [email protected] or call (202) 741-5881.

Early Childhood Workforce

If you are a child development facility staff member, including center directors, child development teachers, assistant teachers, home caregivers, associate home caregivers, and expanded home caregivers, and are looking for supports for the new education requirements, go to our resources for child development staff.

Educator Preparation Providers

All Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) and the Subject Area Programs they offer must be approved by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). EPPs must be approved by OSSE in order to train educators to be licensed in the District of Columbia. Eligible entities seeking approval as an EPP shall submit an application to OSSE on the forms and timelines provided by OSSE.

Learn more about educator preparation providers.