Certification

There are three certification levels in Alberta:

• Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
• Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker)
• Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

If you are looking to work in a licensed day care program, out-of-school care program, or pre-school program, you need to be certified. Child care staff must be certified within 6 months of employment and must not have unsupervised access to children until certified. Once you apply, your application will be reviewed to determine eligibility for one of the three child care staff certification levels.

For more information, see the Certification Guide for Early Childhood Educators.

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

Individuals who have completed related coursework but have not received an educational credential may be assessed by the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office relative to the content and hours from Alberta Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) certificate and diploma programs. Please see Appendix C of the Certification Guide for Early Childhood Educators for further information.

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

An approved language proficiency assessment is required for certification as Level 2 ECE or Level 3 ECE unless an individual’s education was completed in a country where English or French is the primary language of instruction throughout all levels of schooling.

The following countries have been identified as providing instruction in English or French throughout all levels of schooling. If an individual’s education was completed in a country NOT LISTED below, a language proficiency assessment IS REQUIRED.

Language proficiency assessments accepted for certification: 

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General. Level 7 must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) within the same exam results.
  • Website: www.celpip.ca
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General. A score of six must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) within the same exam results.
  • Website: www.ielts.org

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

Early childhood professionals certified in another province or territory are eligible for certification in Alberta. They do not require another formal assessment of educational credentials. The following table lists the equivalencies for certification in Alberta.

To apply for Alberta certification under this equivalency, submit the following:

• A completed Application for Child Care Staff Certification
  • You will need to attach:
    • A copy of personal identification that includes your birth date and signature
    • Your original provincial certificate (B.C. and Ontario applicants may provide copies)

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

Education received outside of Canada may make an individual eligible for Level 1, 2 or 3 ECE certification.

To determine an individual’s level of ECE certification, the following documents may be required:

• Official post-secondary (higher education) transcripts, or verified copies of mark sheets and graduation certificates, must be sent directly from the educational institution where the applicant’s education was completed to the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office.
  • These documents must be sent directly from the educational institution via regular mail, email or using their online transcription to the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office. Transcripts sent by a relative or friend will not be accepted. Do not send transcripts to AECEA.
• English language proficiency assessment.
• English translation of transcripts. For official transcripts issued in languages other than English or French, once the transcripts are sent from the educational institution the applicant attended to the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office, the office will send the applicant a photocopy for translating into English by a certificated translator.

*Accurate as of June 20, 2025. AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation to confirm accuracy*

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Lookup tool increases oversight and transparency in the early learning and child care sector in Alberta, which enhances families’, employers’ and the general public’s confidence that the system protects the health and safety of children.

Under Section 14.2 of the early learning and child care regulation, the Alberta government may publish information about individuals who hold ECE certification. Once certified, an ECE’s name, certification number, level, status, date of certification, and the history of an individual’s certification, including terms or conditions, suspensions or cancellations, may be listed in the ECE Lookup tool.

Go to the ECE Lookup tool

AECEA is NOT involved in certification. If you have any questions related to certification, please contact the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-800-661-9754
Email: ece.staffcertification@gov.ab.ca

For more information on certification in Alberta, please go here for more information.