Outside BC Applicant Without Valid Certificate: Apply for Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certification in BC

Learn how to apply for certification as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in B.C. if you completed an early childhood education training program in another Canadian province or territory.

If you hold valid certification (registration) in another Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible to transfer your certification.

Check the list of recognized programs before starting your application.  If your program is recognized by the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry, apply as a B.C. applicant.

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Last updated: September 21, 2023

On this page:

• Education requirements and the equivalency process
• Prepare your application
• Complete and submit your application
• After you apply

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Education requirements and the equivalency process

If you think your education is equivalent to an early childhood education training program that is recognized by the ECE Registry, submit an application and supporting documentation. After you apply, the ECE Registry will complete an assessment to determine your eligibility for ECE certification. This process is called equivalency.

To be considered equivalent your education must:

• Be from an educational institution approved by a provincial, state, national, or other government body
• Include content and hours that the ECE Registry determines is comparable to a recognized program in B.C. The content of your education must:
  • Cover topics that relate to the education and care of children birth to 5 years old
    • Learn about Occupational Competencies that set the standards for early childhood education training programs that are recognized by the B.C. ECE Registry
  • Include practicum/placement hours that provided you with an opportunity to practice what you learned in the classroom directly working with children birth to 5 years old

The equivalency process can be complex and may be a lengthy process. If you have questions about whether the equivalency process is right for you, please contact the ECE Registry.

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Prepare your application

Translation

All documents submitted with your application must be in English. If any documents are in a different language, you must have them professionally translated at your own expense. All translated documents must be authenticated by the translator.

A translation subsidy may be available to assist you with the costs associated with professional translation.

The translation subsidy:

• covers translation service costs up to $2,500 and is provided by MOSAIC Interpretation and Translation Services
• has a separate application form and its own eligibility criteria

To apply for the translation subsidy, complete a Translation Subsidy Application (PDF, 102KB) (If applicable).

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Determine your certificate type

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.

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Gather your education documents

You must provide the following documents from each educational institution you attended.

Detailed course outlines or syllabi 

• Ask your educational institution for detailed course outlines or syllabi
• You can send your course outlines or syllabi directly to the ECE Registry’s contact information or ask your educational institution to send them to the ECE Registry for you. Your course outlines or syllabi must:
  • Include detailed descriptions of course content, learning goals, outcomes, and expectations
  • Be from the year you completed the course(s)
• If your course outlines or syllabi are not in English, you must have your documents translated by a professional translator
  • Ask your translator to send the translated course outline or syllabi directly to the ECE Registry

Program confirmation form

• Complete Section 1 of the Program Confirmation form and provide the form to your educational institution
• Ask your educational institution to complete the rest of the form and send it directly to the ECE Registry’s contact information
  • If your educational institution cannot complete the form in English, ask your educational institution to send the form directly to you to be professionally translated
    • Ask your translator to send the translated form directly to the ECE Registry
• If you are applying for an ECE Assistant Certificate, you do not need to submit a Program Confirmation form

Official transcript

• Ask your educational institution to mail your official transcript directly to the ECE Registry’s contact information
  • If your transcript is not in English, ask your educational institution to send your transcript directly to you to have it professionally translated
    • Ask your translator to send the translated transcript directly to the ECE Registry

These documents provide information about the course content of your program and helps the ECE Registry determine if your education is equivalent to a recognized program in B.C.