Florida Credentialing and Requirements

A Staff Credential is an official designation that means an individual's professional education meets or exceeds the professional criteria set by the Florida Department of Children and Families. All licensed childcare centers are required by law to have at least one staff-credentialed teacher per 20 children.

A Staff Credential is obtained by submitting copies of transcripts or a program certificate to the credential unit of the Florida Department of Children and Families. If an individuals' professional education meets the criteria, a Staff Credential Verification (Form CF-FSP 5206) is issued.

For more information visit the Department of Children and Families website.

Seminole State's Staff Credential Programs

There are three ways a Staff Credential can be obtained at Seminole State:

• Candidates may obtain a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential by completing four college credit courses.
• Candidates may obtain the Florida Childcare Professional Certificate (FCCPC) issued by DCF, which is a Staff Credential earned through college credit. 
• For candidates with a two or four-year degree, they may obtain a Florida Staff Credential with six hours of early childhood education courses, and 480 hours of experience in a childcare setting.