Clinical Practice Equivalencies

Clinical Practice Equivalencies

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Credential Program recognizes and grants up to 400 hours of clinical practice hours based on prior qualifying experience. Candidates may receive hours towards clinical practice by completing one or both of the following options:

  • Option 1: Professional Verification (200 hrs max)
  • Option 2: Practicum Coursework (200 hrs max)

Candidates who are granted at least 200 hours of clinical practice equivalency may waive EDEC 481B. Proper documentation must be submitted with the candidate’s program application and approved by the program coordinator.

Equivalency Option 1: Professional Equivalency Verification

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential candidates who meet both the requirements outlined in subsections (A) and (B) below shall be granted equivalence for at least 200 hours of the required clinical practice experience in a preschool (PK) or transitional kindergarten (TK). Such candidates must complete all other program requirements, including a clinical practice experience of at least 200 hours in a K-3 setting.

(A) Either hold a valid Child Development Permit at the Teacher level or higher or verify employment as a lead teacher in a Head Start program or a childcare and development center serving preschool-aged children. (Note: For Equivalency Option 1, lead teacher means an adult who has direct responsibility for the care and development of children from birth to 5 years of age in a center-based early childhood care setting and serves in a teaching capacity with 3-and/or 4-year-olds. Title 5 Code of Regulations 80067(d)(1)(B)(iii)

(B) Verify six (6) years or more of satisfactory, full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher in a public or private center-based childcare and development program serving preschool-aged children that is either a license-exempt child care and development center pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1596.792(o) 0r holds a license as defined in section 101152(I)(1), Article 1, Chapter 1, Division 12, of Title 22. (Note: For Equivalency Option 1, full-time teaching is defined as classroom-based teaching for at least 3 hours per day, for at least 75% of the 

Satisfactory teaching experience shall be verified by the public or private center-based childcare and development center. Verification shall include a statement by the employer confirming that the teacher’s performance was rated satisfactory or better in the following areas (must include all):

  • The use of developmentally appropriate teaching strategies for preschool-aged children.
  • The ability to establish and maintain developmentally appropriate standards and expectations for student behavior.
  • A demonstration of deep knowledge of early literacy, early mathematics, and other preschool subjects, and the use of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning approaches that engage students and promote student understanding.
  • An ability to plan and implement a sequence of appropriate learning activities, both teacher and child initiated.
  •  An ability to evaluate and assess student learning outcomes.
  •  An ability to communicate effectively with young children and their families/guardians.

Equivalency Option 2: Practicum Coursework 

Candidates who have completed a practicum course at a regionally accredited institution of higher education shall be granted clinical practice equivalency for these hours commensurate with the number of hours served in the practicum course, up to a maximum of 200 hours, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The practicum course is credit bearing and degree applicable towards a Teacher Level or higher-level Child-Development Permit or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Early Childhood Studies, or Human Development.

(B) The practicum hours completed were in a preschool or early childhood setting serving 3- to 4-year-old children. 

(C) The practicum was supervised at minimum by a trained faculty member/instructor with expertise in Early Childhood and Child Development pedagogy who provided observation and feedback to the candidate.

(D) The candidate earned a C or better on the practicum course.