Reviewed/Updated July 2026
The Nevada Early Care and Education Professional Career Ladder
The Career Ladder is tailored specifically to the field of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) with seven levels representing various combinations of formal education, training and direct experience (up to 4000 hours). Follow this path to achieve your educational and professional goals!
Download & Print the Career Ladder (PDF)
Certificate of Participation (Pre-Level)
Individuals placed at this level have applied for Career Ladder placement and are active members of the Registry, but have not yet accumulated the 1000 hours of direct experience in the field of ECEC necessary to place at a level.
Level 1
1.1 Initial Child Care Licensing training requirements and a minimum of 1000 hrs. of direct experience
1.2 All of 1.1 plus a high school diploma/GED
1.3 All of 1.1, 1.2 and 1 ECEC college credit or 15 hrs. approved training
Level 2
2.1 Current CDA or 8 ECEC college credits and 2000 hrs. direct experience, or high school diploma/GED, 120 hrs. of approved CKA training, and 2000 hrs. direct experience
2.2 12 ECEC college credits and 3000 hrs. direct experience
Level 3
3.1 Apprenticeship Certificate or 20 ECEC college credits and 4000 hrs. direct experience
3.2 1-year ECEC certificate or 30 college credits with 24 in ECEC and 4000 hrs. direct experience
Level 4
4.1 Associate’s degree in ECEC or Associate’s degree in another field with 30 or more ECEC college credits
4.2 All of 4.1 and 4000 hrs. direct experience
Level 5
5.1 Bachelor’s degree in ECEC or Bachelor’s degree in another field with a state teaching license containing an ECEC endorsement or a Bachelor’s degree in another field with 30 or more ECEC college credits
5.2 All of 5.1 and 4000 hrs. direct experience
Level 6
6.1 Master’s degree in ECEC or Master’s degree in another field with a state teaching license containing an ECEC endorsement or a Master’s degree in another field with 30 or more ECEC college credits
6.2 All of 6.1 and 4000 hrs. direct experience
Level 7
7.1 Doctorate in ECEC or Doctorate in another field with a state teaching license containing an ECEC endorsement or Doctorate in another field with 30 or more ECEC college credits
7.2 All of 7.1 and 4000 hrs. direct experience
This page may undergo periodic review and revision.