How to become a Childcare Director in Oklahoma

Are you aspiring to become a child care center director in Oklahoma but unsure where to start? The Oklahoma Director Credential training class with OklahomaDirector.org offers a clear path to help you achieve the Bronze-level Oklahoma Director’s Credential, the essential entry-level credential for directors in the state.

Visit the Oklahoma Director Credentialing Page

Steps to Become an Oklahoma Child Care Director

To qualify as an Oklahoma child care director, you must be at least 21 years old and obtain the Bronze or a higher level of the Oklahoma Director’s Credential. The Bronze credential includes four key components:

1. Educational Background

A high school diploma or GED is required.

2. Professional Experience

You must have at least 12 months of experience working a minimum of 30 hours per week in a licensed child care setting, fulfilling roles such as a teacher, master teacher, family child care home primary caregiver, assistant director, or director.

3. Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development (CD), and School Age (SA) Knowledge

You can satisfy the ECE, CD, and SA knowledge requirement by completing one of the following:

• 6 credit hours in ECE/CD/SA from the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD) approved coursework list.
• The Oklahoma Competency Certificate in ECE from the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology.
• A national CDA or CCP professional credential. The CDA course can be found here.

4. Administration and Management Skills

Meet the administrative and management requirements by achieving one of the following:

• An approved administrative/management credential such as the National Administrator Credential (NAC) or Oklahoma Director’s own Director Credential course.
• 3 credit hours in administration/management from the CECPD approved coursework list.
• 30 hours of training in administration/management approved through the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry.

No application fee is required, and you can apply online or download the application form from the CECPD website. To maintain your Bronze-level credential, you’ll need to complete 20 hours of job-related training annually, which you can achieve through our training programs.

For those interested in advancing to the higher-level Copper, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Director’s Credential, consult Appendix EE in the OK DHS Child Care Services Licensing Requirements for Child Care Programs. A pdf of the licensing requirements can be reviewed here.

Note: This information is based on the Oklahoma DHS Child Care Services Licensing Requirements.