Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Trainer

Reviewed/Updated September 2025

Initial Trainer Qualification Criteria and Annual Renewal Requirements

The Nevada Registry accepts New Trainer Qualification Applications year-round. To be eligible to apply for trainer approval, specific criteria must be met. This page outlines both the initial trainer qualification criteria as well as the annual renewal requirements for approved trainers.

Trainer Type

There are two separate trainer types within The Nevada Registry’s training approval system: Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Trainer and Topic Trainer. Individuals will qualify as one or the other; not both. This page outlines the criteria which must be met to qualify as an Early Childhood Education and Care Trainer.

Definition of Early Childhood Education and Care Trainer (ECEC)

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Trainers possess formal education and direct experience in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and may or may not work in a child care program in a direct service position (as defined on The Nevada Registry Membership Application). Qualification to become an ECEC Trainer is based on formal education in ECEC, experience as a trainer and direct experience in the field. Nevada Registry membership does not guarantee eligibility or qualification for ECEC Trainer approval. ECEC Trainers are not limited by training topic and can provide training in all eight Core Knowledge Areas though certain restrictions apply regarding initial training requirements and other topics requiring certification/licensure.

Trainer Category and Designation

In addition to being assigned a type (ECEC or Topic), trainers are assigned a category based on their training delivery intent, the frequency training will be delivered, whether they are being sponsored by a center/organization and whether they represent a national organization recognized by The National Workforce Registry Alliance or other recognized organization included within The Nevada Registry’s Professional Development Acceptance Guidelines. An individual’s type determines the content they can provide, whereas an individual’s trainer category determines their initial application/renewal requirements. Seven trainer categories have been defined. Each category is designated as either “Approved” or “Registered”.

APPROVED Trainer: Required to submit a Trainer Qualification Application, meet annual renewal requirements and accept the terms and conditions set forth in the Trainer Agreement.
- Categories: Generalist, Out-of-State, and Corporate
REGISTERED Trainer: Exempt from submitting a trainer qualification application or meeting annual renewal requirements.
- Categories: Conference Presenter, Sponsored Presenter, Organizational Representative, and Compliance

Qualification Criteria

Individuals seeking to become an approved or registered ECEC trainer with The Nevada Registry must:

Be 18 years of age or older, and;
Possess an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Generalist

Description: This category is designated an ‘approved’ trainer category reserved for individuals working and residing in the state of Nevada and delivering training on an ongoing basis (four or more per year).
- Individuals in this category must:
  - Apply for membership with The Nevada Registry, place at Level 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, or 7.2.* on the Nevada Early Care and Education Professional Career Ladder and maintain an active membership status.*These levels indicate the individual possesses 4,000 or more hours of qualifying direct experience working in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care.
  - Possess at least 15 hours of qualifying previous experience delivering training to adult learners. This requirement can be met in any of the following ways (verification required):
    - Delivery of 15 or more hours of Registry-approved training prior to 2017;
    - Documented evidence of completion of The Nevada Registry-approved Adult Learning Academy (ALA certificate of completion);
    - Documented evidence of completion of a course specific to adult learning principles accepted by The Nevada Registry;
    - Documented coaching hours completed as an approved QRIS Coach (i.e., formal verification of coaching hours as documented in QRIS database);
    - Documented evidence of experience as an instructor of higher education (i.e., course syllabus with name listed);
    - Documented trainer Approval status from another state’s Registry (i.e., trainer approval certificate/other documentation); or
    - Documented training delivery experience as a trainer with a recognized ECEC organization (i.e., proof of employment and training attendance records verifying 15 or more hours of delivered training).
  - Complete a required two-hour online training; PROF105: Adult Learning: Theories and Strategies for Trainers, Coaches and Directors offered by the ChildCare Education Institute (This course is not required for individuals completing the Adult Learning Academy, an accepted alternative course in adult learning principles or with trainer approval status from another state).
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Required to submit an initial Trainer Qualification Application.
Qualification Period: Trainer approval status is valid for a period of twelve months from the date of approval. This becomes the individual’s unique “qualification period” with the last day of the twelve-month period becoming their unique trainer expiration date. For example, if the individual’s trainer application is approved on October 6, 2025, their trainer expiration date will be twelve months later making their qualification period October 6, 2025 – October 6, 2026, and their trainer expiration date October 6, 2026.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Required to renew annually by submitting a trainer renewal application in accordance with unique qualification period. To be eligible to renew trainer approval status, individual must deliver a minimum of four Registry-approved training sessions and complete 15 hours of continuing education within each 12-month qualification period. More information about trainer renewal criteria.

Out-of-State

Description: This category is designated an ‘approved’ trainer category reserved for self-employed individuals residing outside the state of Nevada but desiring to deliver Registry-approved training to ECEC professionals in Nevada on an ongoing basis.
- Individuals in this category are not required to apply for membership with The Nevada Registry but must possess an associate degree or higher in ECEC (or an associate degree or higher in another field with 30 ECEC credits).
- Possess at least 15 hours of qualifying previous experience delivering training to adult learners. This requirement can be met in any of the following ways (verification required):
  - Delivery of 15 or more hours of Registry-approved training prior to 2017;
  - Documented evidence of completion of The Nevada Registry-approved Adult Learning Academy (ALA certificate of completion);
  - Documented evidence of completion of a course specific to adult learning principles accepted by The Nevada Registry;
  - Documented coaching hours completed as an approved QRIS Coach (i.e., formal verification of coaching hours as documented in QRIS database);
  - Documented evidence of experience as an instructor of higher education (i.e., course syllabus with name listed);
  - Documented trainer Approval status from another state’s Registry (i.e., trainer approval certificate/other documentation); or
  - Documented training delivery experience as a trainer with a recognized ECEC organization (i.e., proof of employment and training attendance records verifying 15 or more hours of delivered training).
- Complete a required two-hour online training; PROF105: Adult Learning: Theories and Strategies for Trainers, Coaches and Directors offered by the ChildCare Education Institute (This course is not required for individuals completing the Adult Learning Academy, an accepted alternative course in adult learning principles or with trainer approval status from another state).
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Required to submit an initial Trainer Qualification Application.
Qualification Period: Trainer approval status is valid for a period of twelve months from the date of approval. This becomes the individual’s unique “qualification period” with the last day of the twelve-month period becoming their unique trainer expiration date. For example, if the individual’s trainer application is approved on October 6, 2025, their trainer expiration date will be twelve months later making their qualification period October 6, 2025 – October 6, 2026, and their trainer expiration date October 6, 2026.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Required to renew annually by submitting a trainer renewal application in accordance with unique qualification period. To be eligible to renew trainer approval status, individual must deliver a minimum of four Registry-approved training sessions and complete 15 hours of continuing education within each 12-month qualification period. More information about trainer renewal criteria.

Corporate

Description: This category is designated an ‘approved’ trainer category reserved for individuals employed outside the state of Nevada in the corporate office of a national childcare franchise (Goddard, Kids R Kids, etc.) required to deliver specific corporate-mandated training to employees in Nevada.
- Individuals in this category are not required to apply for membership with The Nevada Registry but must possess an associate degree or higher in ECEC (or an associate degree or higher in another field with 30 ECE credits).
- Possess at least 15 hours of qualifying previous experience delivering training to adult learners. This requirement can be met in any of the following ways (verification required):
  - Delivery of 15 or more hours of Registry-approved training prior to 2017;
  - Documented evidence of completion of The Nevada Registry-approved Adult Learning Academy (ALA certificate of completion);
  - Documented evidence of completion of a course specific to adult learning principles accepted by The Nevada Registry;
  - Documented coaching hours completed as an approved QRIS Coach (i.e., formal verification of coaching hours as documented in QRIS database);
  - Documented evidence of experience as an instructor of higher education (i.e., course syllabus with name listed);
  - Documented trainer Approval status from another state’s Registry (i.e., trainer approval certificate/other documentation); or
  - Documented training delivery experience as a trainer with a recognized ECEC organization (i.e., proof of employment and training attendance records verifying 15 or more hours of delivered training).
- Complete a required two-hour online training; PROF105: Adult Learning: Theories and Strategies for Trainers, Coaches and Directors offered by the ChildCare Education Institute (This course is not required for individuals completing the Adult Learning Academy, an accepted alternative course in adult learning principles or with trainer approval status from another state).
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Required to submit an initial Trainer Qualification Application.
Qualification Period: Trainer approval status is valid for a period of twelve months from the date of approval. This becomes the individual’s unique “qualification period” with the last day of the twelve-month period becoming their unique trainer expiration date. For example, if the individual’s trainer application is approved on October 6, 2025, their trainer expiration date will be twelve months later making their qualification period October 6, 2025 – October 6, 2026, and their trainer expiration date October 6, 2026.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Required to renew annually by submitting a trainer renewal application in accordance with unique qualification period. To be eligible to renew trainer approval status, individual must deliver a minimum of four Registry-approved training sessions and complete 15 hours of continuing education within each 12-month qualification period. More information about trainer renewal criteria.

Conference Presenter

Description: This category is designated a ‘registered’ trainer category reserved for individuals presenting at a single early childhood conference but at no other time throughout the year.
- Individuals in this category are not required to apply for membership with The Nevada Registry but must possess an associate degree or higher in ECEC (or an associate degree or higher in another field with 30 ECE credits). Conference Presenters may present multiple sessions within a single conference event.
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit an initial trainer approval application.)
Registration Period: Registration status is valid for the specific conference only and removed the day following the event.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit a Trainer Renewal Application annually or meet trainer renewal requirements.)

Organizational Representative

Description: This category is designated a ‘registered’ trainer category reserved for individuals employed by organizations recognized by The National Workforce Registry Alliance; or employed by a national organization recognized by The Nevada Registry (in accordance with The Nevada Registry’s Professional Development Acceptance Guidelines).
- Individuals in this category are not required to apply for membership with The Nevada Registry but must possess an associate degree or higher in ECEC (or an associate degree in another field with 30 ECE credits). Organizational Representatives are not limited to a specific number of training sessions per year.
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit an initial trainer approval application.)
Registration Period: Registration status is valid for a period of two years and expires at the end of the second year.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit a Trainer Renewal Application annually or meet trainer renewal requirements.)

Compliance

Description: This category is designated a ‘registered’ trainer category reserved for individuals employed at regulatory agencies responsible for administering and monitoring compliance with child care-related regulations and delivering training specific to those regulations (i.e., Child Care Licensing, Health Department, Fire Department). This category also includes employees of institutions listed on the DPBH Licensee Search list responsible for delivering training to in-house staff.
- Individuals in this category are not required to apply for membership with The Nevada Registry but must possess an associate degree or higher and cannot be employed with a training organization. Trainer approval status is tied to the individual’s current employer and will be removed upon termination of employment. Compliance trainers are not limited to a specific number of training sessions per year.
Trainer Approval Application Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit an initial trainer approval application.)
Registration Period: Registration status is valid for a period of two years and expires at the end of the second year.
Trainer Renewal Requirements: Exempt (Not required to submit a Trainer Renewal Application annually or meet trainer renewal requirements.)

Other Requirements

The Nevada Registry’s training approval system is in a continuous state of quality improvement and will remain under development indefinitely. Trainer approval decisions are at the discretion of The Nevada Registry, based on the established criteria. The Nevada Registry reserves the right to modify and/or implement additional trainer requirements as part of the continual development of the training approval system. Employers considering hiring individuals to deliver training are encouraged to stay abreast of changes in trainer criteria and to select candidates who meet the current established criteria. The Nevada Registry will not make approval exceptions to accommodate programs hiring individuals unable to meet the established criteria.