Outside BC Applicant With Valid Certification Holder: Transfer ECE Certification to BC in Canada
Duty to report
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker.
Phone 1-800-663-9122 any time.
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 start of your education
- Must be from within the 5 years before you submit your application
- Cannot include your practicum hours (hours that were a part of your education)
- Can be work or volunteer hours
References must:
- Have directly supervised (observed) you working with children birth to 5 years old
- Be able to speak to your knowledge, skills, and abilities (competencies) as an ECE during the time they supervised you
- Have held 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
Complete and submit your application
To submit your application:
- Download the application 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)
- Enclose 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
Required forms:
- Early Childhood Educator Certification Application – Transferring Certification (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Character Reference (PDF, 1MB)
- 500 Hour Work Experience Reference (PDF, 1MB) (ECE Five Year applicants only)
Important:
- 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 forms 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 your contact information changes during the application process, you must 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
- Add ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca to your email contact list to make sure you receive emails
- 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:
- The Community Care and Assisted Living Act, Section 8
- The Child Care Licensing Regulation, Section 33
Learn more about the legal requirements to qualify for and maintain certification.
Certificate issued
If you meet all legal requirements, the ECE Registry will issue you a 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. Your renewal requirements depend on your certification level and when you submit your renewal application. Learn more about how to renew your certification:
Find your renewal application pathway
ECE Assistant Certificate
- Renew your ECE Assistant Certificate
ECE One Year Certificate
- Renew your ECE One Year Certificate
ECE Five Year, ITE, and/or SNE Certificate
- Renew your ECE Five Year, ITE, and or/ SNE Certificate
Certificate denied
