Renew your ECE One Year Certificate

Last updated on December 9, 2024

The requirements to renew an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) One Year Certificate are different if your certificate is valid or expired. You can only renew an ECE One Year Certificate once. You cannot renew an ECE One Year Certificate if it has been expired for more than 5 years.

You are encouraged to submit a complete renewal application to the ECE Registry 2-4 months before your certificate expiry date to allow for assessment time.

Apply to renew your ECE One Year Certificate by reviewing the steps below.

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Renewal requirements

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If your ECE One Year Certificate is valid

Obtain a character reference

Your character reference must be someone who:

  • Can speak to your character and has known you for at least 6 months
  • Can speak to your ability to educate and care for young children
  • Is not a relative, partner, spouse, or yourself
  • Is not the same person you provide as your 400 hour work experience reference

It is recommended that your reference is a certified ECE who has directly observed you working with young children.

Letter of explanation

 

You will need to provide the reason(s) why you were unable to complete the required 500 hours of supervised work experience during the term of your ECE One Year Certificate and/or why you were unable to provide a reference from the certified ECE who supervised the hours.

 

If your ECE One Year Certificate has been expired for less than 5 years

Obtain a character reference

Your character reference must be someone who:

  • Can speak to your character and has known you for at least 6 months
  • Can speak to your ability to educate and care for young children
  • Is not a relative, partner, spouse, or yourself
  • Is not the same person you provide as your 400 hour work experience reference

It is recommended that your reference is a certified ECE who has directly observed you working with young children.

 

Confirm your work experience

You will need to show that you have completed the required 400 hours of work experience.

 Work experience hours must:

  • Be related to the field of early childhood education
  • Be completed within 5 years before submitting your renewal application

 References must:

  • Be able to confirm you have completed the hours
  • Be a co-worker, supervisor, or parent/guardian of a child you worked with
  • Not be the same person you provide as a character reference

If your 400 hours were completed at more than one location, you must submit a reference from each person who can confirm you completed your hours.

Letter of explanation

You will need to provide the reason(s) why you were unable to complete the required 500 hours of supervised work experience during the term of your ECE One Year Certificate and/or why you were unable to provide a reference from the certified ECE who supervised the hours.

Confirm your professional development

You will need to show that you have completed at least 40 hours of professional development. Find out more about professional development.

Professional development hours:

  • Must have been completed within 5 years before submitting your renewal application
  • Can include courses and/or workshops
  • Must be relevant to the field of early childhood education
  • To complete your application, you will need to provide the following information about each workshop/course:
    • The name of the workshop/course
    • The name and contact information for the host organization
    • The name of the facilitator/instructor
    • The date(s) and hour(s) of the workshop/course

You do not need to submit proof of completion documents with your application submission (for example: workshop certificates or transcripts). However, make sure you keep them. The ECE Registry verifies information submitted and may ask you to submit proof that you completed the professional development listed in your application.

 

If your ECE One Year Certificate has been expired for more than 5 years

You are not eligible to renew your ECE One Year Certificate if it has been expired for more than 5 years.

Find your ECE application pathway or explore your education options to learn about your certification possibilities.

 

Complete and submit your application

  • Use the My ECE Registry digital platform to apply
    • You will need a BC Services Card account to set up your profile, which you can access through My ECE Registry

Apply now

Important

  • You are encouraged to submit a complete application to the ECE Registry 2-4 months before requiring certification to allow for assessment time
  • It is your responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted as soon as possible
    • Missing or incomplete documents will delay your application process
    • Make sure you inform your references that a delay in the ECE Registry’s receipt of your reference information will result in a delay in processing your application
    • If you have any questions about requirements, please contact the ECE Registry
  • Your application will remain open for one year (12 months) from the date your first application document is received by the ECE Registry
    • Incomplete applications are closed after 12 months
  • If you apply using My ECE Registry, you can update your contact information using the digital platform. A legal name change, and those not using the digital platform are required to submit a Change of Information form (PDF, 1MB) and a piece of valid government-issued photo identification
    • Keeping your information current will allow the ECE Registry to contact you about your application

After you apply

Timelines

  • Applications can only be assessed once all documentation is received
  • Complete applications are assessed in date order

Assessment

  • The ECE Registry will review your application to ensure that it is complete
  • If your application is incomplete or if it is determined additional information is required, you will be contacted by the ECE Registry
  • Incomplete applications will result in delays in processing and are closed if all required information is not received within 12 months of receipt of the first application document
  • Once your application is complete, the ECE Registry will assess your application and supporting documents to determine if you meet all the legal requirements to be certified
  • You will receive a letter that tells you if your application was approved or denied

Possible outcomes

The decision to approve or deny an application is based on:

Learn more about the legal requirements to qualify for and maintain certification.

Certificate issued

If you meet all legal requirements, the ECE Registry will renew your certificate and will mail your certificate to the mailing address noted on your application form. Once issued, the status of your application can be validated by entering your last name, certificate (registration) number, and expiry date of your certificate. 

In order to maintain your certificate, you must continue to meet all legal requirements and you must submit a renewal application and supporting documents before your expiry date. Your renewal requirements depend on your certification level and when you submit your renewal application.

Certificate denied

If you do not meet all legal requirements, the ECE Registry may deny your renewal application. If your application is denied, the ECE Registry will provide you with a written letter explaining the decision. You can dispute the decision by requesting reconsideration.

PDF applications

If you are unable to apply online, PDF forms are available:

If your certificate has been expired for less than​ 5 years you will also need to provide:

  • 400 Hour Work Experience Reference (PDF, 1MB)
  • Professional Development (PDF, 1.1MB)
  • Download the application and supporting forms and review the instructions to ensure all required documentation will be submitted with your application  
  • Complete and sign the application forms (forms can be printed and signed by hand or signed digitally if saved to your device and opened in Adobe)
  • Submit copies of your primary and secondary identification with your application and mail your application to the ECE Registry at the contact information on the application form

Identification requirements

Submit a copy of one piece of primary ID and one piece of secondary ID from the table below.

  • Your ID must be valid and government-issued
  • ID that is not in English must be professionally translated
    • A copy of the original ID and the translated copy must be authenticated by the translator and submitted to the ECE Registry
  • Do not submit original identity documents (for example, birth certificate or passport)

Acceptable ID

Primary ID Secondary ID
  • Driver's licence or learner's licence issued by a Canadian province or territory
  • B.C. identification card (BCID)
  • B.C. Services Card 
  • Canadian birth certificate
  • Canadian or foreign passport
  • Canadian citizenship card
  • Canadian permanent resident card
  • Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record
  • Indian status card
  • Driver's licence or learner's licence issued by a Canadian province or territory
  • B.C. identification card
  • B.C. Services Card 
  • Canadian birth certificate
  • Canadian or foreign passport
  • Canadian citizenship card
  • Canadian permanent resident card
  • Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record
  • Indian status card
  • Health or services card from another Canadian province or territory
  • Foreign birth certificate (a baptismal certificate is not acceptable)
  • Photograph identity card issued by a foreign national or regional government

If you cannot provide any of the documents listed on the ID table, contact the ECE Registry.

If your current legal name is different than the name on some of your supporting documents, submit proof of name change, for example:

  • Government-issued marriage certificate 
  • Divorce certificate or papers 
  • Government-issued change of name document