Four-Year-Olds and Younger Teaching Certificate

The Four-Year-Olds and Younger Teaching Certificate is for Child Development Associates with experience in Head Start programs to attain a teaching certificate to teach four-year-old and younger students in a public school.

Yes. If you have five years teaching experience in a Head Start program, currently hold a Child Development Associate (CDA), and you have earned a bachelor’s degree in any area you may apply for a teaching certificate. This certificate is restricted to teach four-year-old and younger students in a public school.

To receive a certificate to teach four-year-olds and younger, you must obtain the following:

• Verification of at least five years of experience as an early childhood educator with the Head Start program.
• Copy of your current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Passing score for the Early Childhood Education Subject Area Test.

Complete the following:

• Complete a certification or dual background check if you are not already certified.  Instructions are available here.
• Create a Single Sign-On (SSO) account to access the Oklahoma Educator Credential System (OECS). If you have never submitted an application to Teacher Certification before, Step 3 will ask Would you like to access your Oklahoma certification records? You must select the third option and enter your full social security number to create an SSO log in AND an OECS file. If you receive a red banner stating that a record already exists, then you will select the second option to link your new SSO log in with your existing OECS file.
• Submit the online application. Upload each of the items listed above during the application process.
• Order official college transcripts to be sent directly from the college/university to TeacherCertification@sde.ok.gov.

No. This credential is limited by Oklahoma Law.