ECE Certification Application

Once students have successfully completed all program requirements for the BC ECE Assistant Certificate or BC ECE Basic Certificate programs, they are eligible to apply for certification to the BC ECE Registry in the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Please note: The BC ECE Registry website has recently been updated with new application/renewal forms. For students who are in the process of completing their applications, the Registry will continue to accept the old forms until May 1, 2022. After that date, applicants must apply using the new forms.

New Applications

First time applicants for Early Childhood Educator and ECE Assistant certification should follow the application pathway steps as provided on the BC ECE Registry website, under the “Prepare and apply for certification” section.

1. Go to the BC ECE Registry website.
2. Under “Prepare and apply for certification,” select “Find your application pathway.”
3. Under “Inside B.C.,” select “I completed my education in BC at a program that is recognized by the ECE Registry.”
4. Follow the application pathway steps listed on the website to prepare and submit your application.*

* See below for information on ordering UBC transcripts.

Certificate Renewals

Early Childhood Educators and ECE Assistants needing to renew their certification should follow the renewal pathway steps as provided on the BC ECE Registry website, under the “Maintain your certification” section.

1. Go to the BC ECE Registry website.
2. Under “Maintain your certification,” select “Renew your certificate.”
3. Select the type of certificate you are renewing:
   • ECE Assistant: Must complete one additional early childhood education course that has not been previously submitted for an ECE Assistant certificate, and which must be part of a recognized Basic early childhood education training program. All courses in our BC ECE Basic Certificate Program will meet ECE Assistant renewal requirements.
   • ECE One Year Certificate: The ECE One Year Certificate may only be renewed once. Applicants must indicate why they were unable to complete the required 500 hours of supervised work experience during the term of their ECE One Year Certificate, and/or why they were unable to provide a reference from the certified ECE who supervised the hours.
   • ECE Five Year Certificate: ECEs renewing their Five Year Certificate must show proof of meeting the required work experience hours, and confirm that they have completed at least 40 hours of professional development. Professional development hours can include courses and/or workshops, and must be relevant to the field of early childhood education.
4. Follow the renewal pathway steps listed on the website to prepare and submit your renewal application.*

* See below for information on ordering UBC transcripts.

Questions?

Contact the BC ECE Registry if you have questions or need help with the application process:
Office: 250 356-6501
Office: Toll-free: 1 888 338-6622
Mailing: PO Box 9961 STN PROV GOVT Victoria BC V8W 9R4
Email: ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca

Ordering UBC Transcripts

Find information on how to order your UBC transcripts here: