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NC Early Childhood Administration Credential: Level I, II and III
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
The NC Early Childhood Administration Credential has three levels. Every level needs EDU 261 and EDU 262 and a portfolio. Level I adds 7 semester hours of early childhood coursework and is the legal minimum for child care administrators. Level II needs an associate degree in the field and Level III a bachelor's. Levels II and III are voluntary.
Why the credential exists
North Carolina ties the quality of a child care centre partly to the education of the person who runs it. G.S. 110-91(8) requires every administrator to hold at least a Level I credential or its equivalent, as DCDEE determines. The credential is built around two community college courses in child care administration plus early childhood coursework and a portfolio.
The higher levels are voluntary, but they matter to centres. The administrator's education level earns points in the education standards of the Star Rated License, so owners often encourage directors to move from Level I to Level II or III.
The three levels side by side
DCDEE's grid sets the same three components at every level. The table shows what changes from level to level.
| Level | Administration coursework | Early childhood coursework | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (required) | EDU 261 and EDU 262 | 7 semester hours | 6 assignments |
| II (voluntary) | EDU 261 and EDU 262 | Associate degree in early childhood or child development | 12 assignments |
| III (voluntary) | EDU 261 and EDU 262 | Bachelor's degree in early childhood or child development | 18 assignments |
EDU 261 and EDU 262
EDU 261 Child Care Administration I is a survey course: program framework, rules and regulations, personnel and financial management. EDU 262 Child Care Administration II goes further: resources for centres and families, curriculum, program assessment, advocacy and leadership. DCDEE lists each at 3 semester hours, and all 58 community colleges offer them.
The portfolio assignments are normally completed inside these two courses. DCDEE notes that some colleges have moved toward grading by competencies instead of separate portfolio assignments, so ask your college how it handles the portfolio.
The early childhood coursework
Level I asks for at least 7 semester hours of early childhood or child development coursework at a community college or university. For Level II the grid lists an associate degree in early childhood or child development, or an associate degree in any major with 12 hours in the field, or current enrolment in a bachelor's with 60 hours completed including 12 in the field. For Level III it lists a bachelor's in the field, or a bachelor's in any major with 18 hours in the field.
The grid also lists an equivalency for Level I: three years as a director plus the NC Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent, with an explanation attached. DCDEE reviews these case by case.
Credential or equivalency
If you meet every part the standard way, you receive the credential certificate. If you use any equivalency option, such as testing out, child care administration hours, business administration hours or a portfolio waiver for five years as a director, you receive an equivalency letter instead. DCDEE says both carry equal weight in the Star Rated License.
For most administrators the practical question is speed and cost, not the name on the paper. The next two articles look at the 9-hour business administration equivalency and how it compares with EDU 261 and EDU 262.
Deadlines and paperwork
DCDEE's handbook says a new administrator must begin work toward the credential or its equivalent within 6 months and complete it within 2 years. You apply by sending DCDEE's education and equivalency form with official transcripts. Keep copies of everything in your staff file, along with any reply from DCDEE, so a licensing visit can see your progress.
Before you enrol in anything, email DCDEE with your plan and ask it to confirm in writing that the courses you intend to take would meet the part you are working on.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
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.
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
Which level of the NC administration credential is required?
Level I is the minimum required by law for every child care administrator. Levels II and III are voluntary and add points in the education standards of the Star Rated License, so many centres encourage directors to work toward them.
How many credit hours is the Level I credential?
EDU 261 and EDU 262 are 3 semester hours each, and Level I adds at least 7 semester hours of early childhood or child development coursework, so about 13 semester hours plus the 6-assignment portfolio when taken the standard way.
Do I need a degree for Level I?
No. Level I needs the two administration courses, 7 semester hours of early childhood coursework and the portfolio. Level II asks for an associate degree in the field and Level III for a bachelor's, or the equivalents DCDEE lists.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Human Resources Management
Self-paced online Human Resources Management course (Business 306). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
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.
Sources
- DCDEE: North Carolina Early Childhood Administration Credential (NCECAC) and administrator requirements grid (official)Three components: administration coursework (EDU 261 and 262), early childhood/child development coursework (Level I: 7 semester hours; Level II: associate degree; Level III: bachelor's), and a portfolio (6, 12 or 18 assignments). Grid Section D-2, administration coursework options at every level: EDU 261 and EDU 262, or test out, or 6 sch in Child Care Administration, or 9 sch in Business Administration. Non-star boxes give an equivalency letter only; credential and equivalency have equal weight in the Star Rated License. Form dated October 2007. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- DCDEE: North Carolina Early Childhood and Administration Credentials (official)Level I is the minimum level required by law for all child care administrators; Levels II and III are voluntary; EDU 261 and EDU 262 are 3 semester credit hours each at all 58 community colleges; each component has equivalency options listed on the education and equivalency form; meeting components by equivalency gives an administration equivalency. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- DCDEE: Child Care Center Handbook, Chapter 2: Staff (official)G.S. 110-91(8): all administrators must have or complete at least a Level I NCECAC or its equivalent as determined by the Division; begin within 6 months and complete within 2 years; apply with education and equivalency (E&E) forms and official transcripts; Rule .0704 preservice requirements for administrators without the credential; lead teachers need the NC Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) or its equivalent under Rule .0703. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.