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Illinois DCFS Rule 407: director and teacher credit hours in plain words
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Illinois DCFS Rule 407 is the day care centre licensing rule, now run by the Department of Early Childhood. For new directors, Section 407.130(e)(2) asks for an associate degree in child development or early childhood, or 64 semester hours with 21 in child development plus a management item. A new law, 225 ILCS 10/6.3, writes the same levels into statute from 1 July 2027.
What Rule 407 is
Part 407 of Title 89 of the Illinois Administrative Code sets the licensing standards for day care centres. It was written by the Department of Children and Family Services, and day care licensing has since moved to the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Section 407.130 covers directors and Section 407.140 covers early childhood teachers and other staff.
Public Act 104-0773 refers to the director education requirements in 407.130(e)(2) and sets them in the Child Care Act as Section 6.3, effective 1 July 2027.
Director hours in plain words
A new director needs one of two things.
| Route | Hours | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | A degree in child development or early childhood education | Nothing more under 6.3(1) |
| Hours route | 64 semester hours, any discipline, with 21 in child development or early childhood | Gateways Level I Director Credential, 3 management hours, or 3 training points |
Teachers
Rule 407 sets separate qualifications for early childhood teachers in Section 407.140, and amendments to Sections 407.130 and 407.140 were adopted in 2025. We did not confirm the current teacher figures at an official source for this page, so check the current text of 407.140 with your licensing representative before you plan teacher hours.
Hours you earn as a teacher usually count later toward the director's 64, so general and child development courses are rarely wasted.
Where general courses fit
On the director hours route, 43 of the 64 hours can be in any discipline. Writing, maths, psychology, sociology and business courses all fit there. Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and reach licensing via a college transcript; an accredited college must post them first. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited.
The 21 child development hours must come from a college; we do not offer child development or early childhood courses.
A practical order is to finish writing, maths and one or two social science courses first, because almost every college and every later qualification uses them. Then add the child development hours at a community college, and finish with the management item if you choose the hours route. Ask in writing at each step so nothing has to be repeated.
What to do next
Work from your transcripts, not from memory.
- Count child development hours and other hours separately
- Ask an accredited college which outside courses it will post
- Plan the child development hours at a college
- Choose the Gateways credential, 3 management hours or 3 training points
- Ask your licensing representative in writing whether your plan meets 407.130(e)(2)
If you are already working in a centre
From 1 July 2027, Section 6.5 lets a centre with a fully qualified director appoint an interim conditional director for 12 months while that person finishes. It needs 2 years or 3,120 hours as a teacher at that centre and 64 semester hours, with at least 15 in early childhood. If that might be you, finish the general hours now so only the specialist hours remain.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your Department of Early Childhood licensing representative in writing whether your planned general hours and management course will count, and ask the college in writing which courses it will post, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Is Rule 407 still a DCFS rule?
The rule was written by DCFS and is still cited as 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407, but day care licensing has moved to the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. The new law names that department for the interim director process.
Does the 2027 law change the director hours?
Public Act 104-0773 sets the same levels found in 407.130(e)(2): an associate degree in the field, or 64 hours with 21 in child development plus a management item. It adds the interim conditional director route from 1 July 2027.
Where can I read the current Rule 407 text?
The Illinois Administrative Code is published through the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Ask your licensing representative for the current version too, since Sections 407.130 and 407.140 were amended in 2025.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Management, leadership and general courses are on PRO. Ask the college and licensing in writing first.
Sources
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-0773 (HB4587), Child Care Act of 1969, Sections 6.3 and 6.5 (official)Sec. 6.3: directors hired on or after the effective date need (1) an associate degree from an accredited college or university in child development or early childhood education, or (2) 64 semester or 96 quarter hours in any discipline with at least 21 semester or 31.5 quarter hours from an accredited college in child development, early childhood education or early childhood special education, plus a Gateways Level I Illinois Director Credential, 3 semester or 4.5 quarter hours in administration, leadership or management, or 3 points of credential-approved training. Sec. 6.5: interim conditional directors for 12 months while completing 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2), with 2 years or 3,120 hours as a teacher at the centre and 64 hours with 15 or 21 in early childhood; repealed 30 June 2032. Act effective 1 July 2027. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.