Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
Every North Carolina child care administrator needs at least a Level I NC Early Childhood Administration Credential or its equivalent, under G.S. 110-91(8). Level I is EDU 261 and EDU 262, seven semester hours of early childhood coursework and a portfolio. DCDEE's equivalency grid lists 9 semester hours of business administration as an option for the administration coursework. DCDEE decides each case.
Under G.S. 110-91(8), every child care center administrator in North Carolina must hold at least a Level I NC Early Childhood Administration Credential or its equivalent as determined by DCDEE; on DCDEE's education and equivalency grid, the administration coursework part can be met by EDU 261 and EDU 262, by testing out, by 6 semester hours of child care administration, or by 9 semester hours of business administration.
The rule asks for 9 semester hours of business administration (equivalency option for the administration coursework). The legal source is G.S. 110-91(8).
| Component | Level I rule and equivalency options | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Administration coursework | EDU 261 and EDU 262 (3 semester hours each); or test out, 6 sch child care administration, or 9 sch business administration | s1, s2 |
| 2. Early childhood coursework | 7 semester hours in early childhood or child development; or director for 3 years plus NCECC or equivalent | [1] |
| 3. Portfolio | 6 specified assignments; or waived if director for 5 years (detailed explanation) | [1] |
| Timeline | Begin within 6 months, complete within 2 years | [3] |
| Result | Credential certificate if all standard options; equivalency letter if any equivalency used; equal weight in the Star Rated License | [1] |
NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), NC Department of Health and Human Services decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Core business administration course: planning, organising, leading and controlling.
Self-paced online Principles of Management course (Business 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Hiring, staffing and supervision, central to running a centre.
Self-paced online Human Resources Management course (Business 306). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Budgets and costs, which a centre administrator manages.
Self-paced online Managerial Accounting course (Accounting 210). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
A broad business course some colleges place in business administration.
Self-paced online Business Essentials course (Business 100). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Writing to families, staff and agencies.
Self-paced online Business Communication course (Business 210). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; Newlane is a third. North Carolina community colleges teach EDU 261 and EDU 262 and set their own transfer rules. Ask DCDEE and the college in writing before you enrol.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month, or $799 a year | About $198-$297 for three business courses over 2-3 months | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus $79 a course | About $435-$534 for three courses over 2-3 months | 15 Nov 2026 |
EDU 261 and EDU 262 are taught at all 58 NC community colleges and are 6 semester hours together, while the business route needs 9. Compare the local college's tuition for EDU 261 and 262 with the cost of three business courses plus a college's fee to post them.
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.
Email DCDEE with your planned courses and ask it in writing whether 9 semester hours of business administration from a college transcript would meet the administration coursework component for you. Keep the reply in your staff file.
North Carolina law, G.S. 110-91(8), requires every child care center administrator to hold at least a Level I North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential (NCECAC) or its equivalent, as determined by the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). DCDEE describes Level I as the minimum required by law; Levels II and III are voluntary and add points in the Star Rated License system.
DCDEE's handbook says a new administrator must begin work toward the credential or its equivalent within 6 months of taking on the role and complete it within 2 years. The centre keeps proof of progress in the staff file: the education and equivalency form, official transcripts, course enrolment and portfolio records.
Level I has three parts. First, administration coursework: EDU 261 Child Care Administration I and EDU 262 Child Care Administration II, 3 semester hours each, taught at all 58 North Carolina community colleges. Second, at least 7 semester hours of early childhood or child development coursework. Third, a portfolio of 6 specified assignments, usually completed in EDU 261 and EDU 262.
Level II replaces the 7 hours with an associate degree in early childhood or child development, and Level III with a bachelor's degree. The administration coursework is the same at every level, and the portfolio grows to 12 and then 18 assignments.
Each part has equivalency options. On DCDEE's administrator grid, the administration coursework part can be met by EDU 261 and EDU 262, by testing out, by 6 semester hours of child care administration, or by 9 semester hours of business administration. The same four options appear at Levels I, II and III, and for school-age administrators.
Two things follow. Using any equivalency gives an administration equivalency letter instead of the credential certificate, though DCDEE says the two carry equal weight in the Star Rated License. And the grid DCDEE hosts is dated October 2007, so ask DCDEE in writing whether the business option still applies and which courses it counts as business administration before you plan around it.
Many people searching for North Carolina preschool teacher requirements are working in the same centres. DCDEE's handbook says lead teachers need the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or its equivalent under Rule .0703, started and completed within set time limits. NC Pre-K classrooms and public school preschool have their own, higher teacher licence rules. The administrator rule on this page is separate from the teacher rule.
A director (administrator) must be at least 21 and hold at least a Level I NC Early Childhood Administration Credential or its equivalent, started within 6 months and finished within 2 years, plus the preservice rules in Rule .0704. DCDEE decides equivalencies.
DCDEE's equivalency grid lists 9 semester hours of business administration as an option for the administration coursework part. It leads to an equivalency letter rather than the credential. Ask DCDEE in writing whether your specific courses would count before you take them.
No. It covers only the administration coursework part. You still need 7 semester hours of early childhood or child development coursework and the portfolio, or one of the other equivalency options DCDEE lists for those parts.
DCDEE says the credential and the equivalency have equal weight in North Carolina's Star Rated License system. The difference is the paper: an equivalency letter instead of the credential certificate. Check with your employer if it prefers one or the other.
DCDEE's handbook says an administrator must begin work toward the credential or its equivalent within 6 months of assuming the duties and complete it within 2 years. The centre must keep proof of progress in the staff record.
Administrators submit DCDEE's education and equivalency form with official transcripts to the Division. DCDEE's main line is 919-814-6300. Ask which unit reviews administrator equivalencies and keep a copy of everything you send.
Take management, human resources and accounting courses with ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations, then move the credit via a college transcript once DCDEE confirms in writing.