Renew your ECE Assistant Certificate

The requirements to renew an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Assistant Certificate are the same whether your certificate is valid or expired.

You are encouraged to submit a complete renewal application to the ECE Registry 2-4 months before your certificate expiry date to allow for assessment time.

Apply to renew your ECE Assistant Certificate by completing the steps below.

On this page

• Renewal Requirements
• Complete and submit your application
• After you apply
• Identification requirements

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Renewal requirements

Official transcript

You will need to show that you have successfully completed one additional early childhood education course. The course must:

• be an “additional course”, not one that you have previously submitted for an ECE Assistant Certificate
• have been completed within the last 5 years
• be a part of a recognized basic early childhood education training program

Courses that are not part of a recognized early childhood education training program cannot be used to renew your certificate.

Ask your educational institution to mail an official transcript to the ECE Registry's contact information. To complete your application, you will need to provide:

• The full name and location of your educational institution
• The name of your course
• Your student number/ID as it will appear on your transcript
• The start date and end date of your course

Obtain a character reference

Your character reference must be someone who:

• Can speak to your character and has known you for at least 6 months
• Can speak to your ability to educate and care for young children
• Is not a relative, partner, spouse, or yourself
• Is not the same person you provide as your 400 hour work experience reference

It is recommended that your reference is a certified ECE who has directly observed you working with young children. Your Character Reference form must be completed and signed by your reference within 12 months of your application document submission.

• Ask your character reference to send your completed Character Reference form directly to the ECE Registry

Identification (ID)

Submit copies of valid government-issued primary and secondary ID with your application.

Learn more about the ID requirements.

Confirm your work experience

You will need to show that you have completed the required 400 hours of work experience.

 Work Experience hours must:

• Be related to the field of early childhood education
• Be completed within the last 5 years

 References must:

• Be able to confirm you have completed the hours
• Be a co-worker, supervisor, or parent/guardian of a child you worked with
• Not be the same person you provide as a character reference

 If your 400 hours were completed at more than one location, you must submit a reference from each person who can confirm you completed your hours.

• Ask your work experience reference(s) to send your completed 400 Hour Work Experience Reference form(s) directly to the ECE Registry

Complete and submit your application

• Download the application and review the instructions ensure all required documentation will be submitted with your application  
• Complete and sign the application forms (forms can be printed and signed by hand or signed digitally if saved to your device and opened in Adobe)
• Enclose copies of your primary and secondary identification with your application and mail your application to the ECE Registry at the contact information on the application form

Required forms

• Early Childhood Educator Certificate Renewal Application - ECE Assistant (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Character Reference (PDF, 1MB)
• 400 Hour Work Experience Reference (PDF, 1MB)

Important

• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted as soon as possible
  • Missing or incomplete documents will delay your application process
  • Make sure you inform your references that a delay in the ECE Registry’s receipt of your reference forms will result in a delay in processing your application
  • If you have any questions about requirements, please contact the ECE Registry.
• Your application will remain open for one year (12 months) from the date your first application document is received by the ECE Registry
  • Incomplete applications are closed after 12 months
• If your contact information changes during the application process, you must submit a Change of Information form (PDF, 1MB) and a piece of valid government-issued photo identification
  • Keeping your information current will allow the ECE Registry to contact you about your application

After you apply

Timelines

• Applications can only be assessed once all documentation is received
• Complete applications are assessed in date order

Assessment

• The ECE Registry will review your application to ensure that it is complete
• If your application is incomplete or if it is determined additional information is required, you will be contacted by the ECE Registry
  • Add ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca to your email contact list to make sure you receive emails
• Incomplete applications will result in delays in processing and are closed if all required information is not received within 12 months of receipt of the first application document
• Once your application is complete, the ECE Registry will assess your application and supporting documents to determine if you meet all the legal requirements to be certified
• You will receive a letter that tells you if your application was approved or denied

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Possible outcomes

The decision to approve or deny an application is based on:

• The Community Care and Assisted Living Act, Section 8
• The Child Care Licensing Regulation, Section 33

Learn more about the legal requirements to qualify for and maintain certification.

Certificate issued

If you meet all legal requirements, the ECE Registry will renew your certificate and will mail your certificate to the mailing address noted on your application form. Once issued, the status of your application can be validated by entering your last name, certificate (registration) number, and expiry date of your certificate.

In order to maintain your certificate, you must continue to meet all legal requirements and you must submit a renewal application and supporting documents before your expiry date. Your renewal requirements depend on your certification level and when you submit your renewal application.

Certificate denied

If you do not meet all legal requirements, the ECE Registry may deny your renewal application. If your application is denied, the ECE Registry will provide you with a written letter explaining the decision. You can dispute the decision by requesting reconsideration.

Identification requirements (ID)

Submit a copy of one piece of primary ID and one piece of secondary ID from the table below.

• Your ID must be valid and government-issued
• ID that is not in English must be professionally translated
  • A copy of the original ID and the translated copy must be authenticated by the translator and submitted directly to the ECE Registry
• Do not submit original identity documents (for example, birth certificate or passport)

Acceptable ID 

Primary ID

Secondary ID

Driver's licence or learner's licence issued by a Canadian province or territory B.C. identification card (BCID) B.C. Services Card  Canadian birth certificate Canadian or foreign passport Canadian citizenship card Canadian permanent resident card Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record Indian status card

Driver's licence or learner's licence issued by a Canadian province or territory B.C. identification card B.C. Services Card  Canadian birth certificate Canadian or foreign passport Canadian citizenship card Canadian permanent resident card Canadian record of landing/Canadian immigration identification record Indian status card Health or services card from another Canadian province or territory Foreign birth certificate (a baptismal certificate is not acceptable) Photograph identity card issued by a foreign national or regional government

If you cannot provide any of the documents listed on the ID table, contact the ECE Registry.

If your current legal name is different than the name on some of your supporting documents, submit proof of name change, for example:

• Government-issued marriage certificate 
• Divorce certificate or papers 
• Government-issued change of name document