Oregon Registry Steps
The Oregon Registry Steps are a sequence of twelve steps based on training and education in the childhood care and education field. Registry Steps:
- Promote the childhood care and education profession while recognizing you as a professional.
- Recognize your training and education related to childhood care and education.
- Provide a pathway for your future professional development.
- Open doors to money related your Registry Step (Enhanced Rate & Scholarships).
- Connect you to others who care about children and families.
Apply for an Oregon Registry Step
Use the Oregon Registry Step Application to apply for a new or higher Step on the Registry. You will receive a certificate showing the Oregon Registry Step you achieve based on review of your training and education. Our Oregon Registry team will award you the highest Step possible.
Follow all instructions on the application to ensure your application is complete when submitted. Incomplete applications are returned. Step applications take approximately 45 business days to process.
Tips to applying for an Oregon Registry Step:
- Read the entire “Oregon Registry Steps” section of this page before proceeding.
- Copy your training and education documentation (training certificates, college transcripts, and/or degree certificates).
- Complete the Oregon Registry Step Application.
- Mail a copy of your application to:
PSU-OCCD
ATTN: Oregon Registry
PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207-0751
Need help? Make an appointment with your local Oregon Child Care Resource and Referral. To find a Child Care Resource and Referral near you, visit triwou.org/projects/ccccrr or call 800-342-6712.
Three Professional Development Pathways
Each Step on the Registry represents professional development through training and education. The Registry recognizes three pathways for professional development. The pathways are different ways you may move up on the Registry, depending on your short and long-term professional goals:
- A degree or certificate pathway.
- A college course credit pathway.
- A community based training pathway.
Learn more about the training and education required for each Oregon Registry Step by downloading the Oregon Registry Steps document.
Acceptable Training and Education
We set the standards for training and education accepted in Oregon’s childhood care and education system. There are two important things to know about what counts as training and education in the system:
- It must link to Oregon’s Core Knowledge Categories.
- It must meet the Training and Education Criteria.
Oregon Registry and Community Colleges
The Oregon Registry works closely with community colleges across the state. Click a graduation cap to see what programs are available. Contact the community college to learn how you can:
- Move up on the Oregon Registry
Find college courses related to the Core Knowledge Categories.
- Graduate sooner and save money
Use your Oregon Registry Step 7 or Child Development Associate (CDA) to get college credits. Depending on the college, this is known as "Credit for Prior Learning," "articulation," "challenge courses," or "transcription." Requirements, options, and costs vary by college but typically range from 9 to 15 college credits for a Step 7 or CDA and as little as $10 per credit.
Check out our Scholarship Programs to see if you're eligible for help.
Guide to Courses by Core Knowledge Category
Below (link to viewable worksheet) is a list of courses offered by Oregon community colleges with their suggested Core Knowledge Categories. Please be aware, Core Knowledge Categories are assigned upon verification of training and education documentation, and are subject to change. Omission of a course from this list does not mean it is considered out of the field. Oregon's Core Knowledge Categories is the definitive, most comprehensive standard for determining in field course content.
The suggested Core Knowledge Categories for these courses have been determined by the Oregon Registry, and are subject to change each academic year based on Oregon community college curriculum updates.
Oregon Registry Credentials
We certify professionals meeting high standards based on knowledge, skills, and achievements. There are three types of Oregon Registry Credential:
- Oregon Registry Infant-Toddler Professional Credential
- Oregon Registry School-Age Professional Credential
- Oregon Registry Director Credential
Oregon Registry Credentials:
- Establish you as a professional in the field.
- Recognize and acknowledge your professional achievements.
- Improve your practice through reflection on your knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
- Promote the childhood care and education profession.
- Increase quality for your program.
Infant-Toddler Professional Credential
This credential is appropriate for experienced infant-toddler teachers in certified or legally exempt child care centers or providers in certified or registered family child care homes who care for children ages birth to three.
Specific Benefits of the Infant-Toddler Professional Credential:
- Meets Office of Child Care qualification for head teacher in an infant-toddler classroom in a Certified Child Care Center.
- Meets Office of Child Care qualification for Certified Family Child Care Provider caring for more than two children under the age of two.
- Validation as an infant-toddler lead teacher.
Infant-Toddler Professional Credential Overview and Requirements
School-Age Professional Credential
This credential is appropriate for experienced school-age staff in certified or legally exempt child care centers or providers in certified or registered family child care homes who care for children ages 5 to 12.
Specific Benefits of the School-Age Professional Credential:
- Meets Office of Child Care qualification for head teacher in a school-age classroom in a Certified Child Care Center.
- Meets Office of Child Care qualification for Certified Family Child Care Provider.
- Validation as a school-age lead teacher.
School-Age Professional Credential Overview and Requirements
Director Credential
This credential is appropriate for experienced directors, administrators or lead staff in certified or legally exempt childhood care and education programs for children from birth to age 12 or providers in certified family child care homes who have responsibility for supervising staff. The term “Director” represents a variety of professional role titles including: program director, supervisor, manager, site supervisor/manager, owner/director, executive director, administrator and education coordinator.
Specific Benefits of the Director Credential:
- Meets Office of Child Care qualification as a director in a certified program.
- Meets criteria as a state credential for the Alternative Pathways to Achieve Educational Qualifications of a Program Administrator in a NAEYC accredited program.
- Validation as a program administrator
Director Credential Overview and Requirements
Apply for an Oregon Registry Credential
Please begin by reading about the credential that interests you above (Infant-Toddler, School-Age, or Director). Ensure you understand the corresponding “Overview and Requirements” documents. Call our Credential Specialist at 877-725-8535 or email occdcredential@pdx.edu to request the application materials.
The application fee for each Oregon Registry Credential is $225. If you are currently caring for children, you may be eligible for a scholarship through the Betty Gray Early Childhood Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available for professional training and education leading to credentialing, as well as Oregon Registry credential application fees and fees associated with the observation required for the credential.
Oregon Registry Report
The Oregon Registry report reflects statewide program participation at the county level. The report includes aggregated data on Registry Steps, Education Awards, and workforce race and ethnicity. The latest release is available the first Thursday of each month.
Oregon Registry Online
The Oregon Registry Online (ORO) is a database that stores training and education for Oregon’s childhood care and education professionals. ORO helps you meet system requirements such as Office of Child Care licensing needs and Department of Human Services Enhanced Rate Program eligibility. You may also use ORO to produce an official record of your training and education, called a Professional Development Statement.
Log in or create an account at my.oregonregistryonline.org.
Your Professional Development Statement
ORO functions like a savings account. Your training and education is "deposited" into your account, called myORO. You may log in to myORO to view the training and education that has been deposited and download a Professional Development Statement. The Professional Development Statement:
- Helps you plan your future training and education needs. Download and complete your own professional development plan and view a sample plan if you prefer.
- Allows you to ensure your training and education records are accurate and up to date. Contact us to report any inaccuracies or missing records.
Submitting Your Training & Education
Upload your documents directly to myORO or send copies via mail with an ORO Training Cover Sheet.
Submitting Training & Education for an Office of Child Care Visit
If you are submitting training and education in preparation for an Office of Child Care licensing visit, please submit it at least 30 days before your visit. You may log in to myORO to check your annual training hours for licensing.
If you are submitting training and education for another person, please use a unique ORO Training Cover Sheet for each person and ensure their information is correct.
As a Center Director or Certified Family Child Care Provider, you may view training and education submitted to ORO for staff at your facility on the “Staff Qualification and Training Log” (provided by the Office of Child Care). The Office of Child Care mails Staff Qualification and Training Logs 120 days before licensing renewal, or they are available upon request from your licensing specialist. You are also welcomed to call us to discuss training and education submitted to ORO.