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 oregonccrr.org/ 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 Steps Report
The Oregon Registry report reflects statewide program participation at the county level. The report includes aggregated data on Registry Steps as well as workforce race and ethnicity. This report is currently paused for revisions. We thank you for your patience in this process.
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 Child Care Licensing Division 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. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at https://my.oregonregistryonline.org/faq/ for additional information.
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.
- 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 a Child Care Licensing Division 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 Child Care Licensing Division 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.
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.