Learn how to apply for certification as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in B.C. if you completed an early childhood education training program recognized by the ECE Registry.
Check the list of recognized programs before starting your application.
If you do not know what type of certificate you may be eligible for, learn about the certificate types and determine which one matches your education and experience.
Gather your education documents
Official transcript
Ask your educational institution to mail your official transcript directly to the ECE Registry’s contact information
To complete your application, you will need to know the following:
The full name and location of your educational institution
The name of your program or course
Your student number/ID as it will appear on your transcript
The start date and end date of your program or course
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 500-hour work experience reference (if applicable)
It is recommended that your reference is a certified ECE who has directly observed you working with young children. Your Character Reference form must be completed and signed by your reference within 12 months of your application document submission.
Ask your character reference to send your completed Character Reference form directly to the ECE Registry
Gather your identification documents (ID)
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 directly to the ECE Registry
Do not submit original identity documents (for example, birth certificate or passport)
Acceptable ID
Primary Identification
Secondary Identification
Driver’s licence or learner’s licence issued by a Canadian province or territory
B.C. identification card BCID
BC Services Card
Canadian birth certificate
Canadian or foreign passport
Canadian citizenship card
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
BC 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 or all 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
Confirm your work experience
If you’re applying for an ECE Five Year Certificate, you must show you have completed the required 500 hours of work experience.
Work experience hours:
Are counted from the date you started your education and cannot include your practicum/placement hours (hours that were a part of your education)
Must be completed within the 5 years before your application submission
Can be work or volunteer hours
References must:
Have directly supervised (observed) you working with children birth to 5 years old
Speak to your knowledge, skills, and abilities (competencies) as an ECE during the hours they supervised you
Have held valid ECE certification or registration in Canada during the time they supervised you
Not be the same person you provide as a character reference
If your 500 hours were completed at more than one location and under the supervision of more than one ECE, you must provide a reference from each person who supervised your hours.
Ask your work experience reference(s) to send your completed 500 Hour Work Experience Reference form(s) directly to the ECE Registry
