Oregon Registry Steps
The Oregon Registry Steps are a sequence of twelve steps based on professional development in the childhood care and education field. Registry Steps can:
- Promote the childhood care and education profession while recognizing you as a professional.
- Recognize your professional development related to childhood care and education.
- Provide a pathway for your future professional development.
- Help you be eligible for certain 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 professional development. 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 will be returned. Step applications take approximately 50 business days or more to process.
Tips to applying for an Oregon Registry Step:
- Read the entire “Oregon Registry Steps” section of this page before proceeding.
- Copy your professional development 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 (CCR&R). To find a CCR&R near you, visit oregonccrr.org or call 800-342-6712.
Three Professional Development Pathways
Each Step on the Registry represents professional development recognized by three pathways. 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 professional development required for each Oregon Registry Step by downloading the Oregon Registry Steps document.
Acceptable Professional Development
We set the standards for professional development accepted in Oregon’s childhood care and education system. There are two important things to know about what counts as professional development in the system:
- It must link to Oregon’s Core Knowledge Categories.
- It must meet the Professional Development Hours 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. As of May 2025, 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 professional development for Oregon’s childhood care and education professionals. ORO helps you meet system requirements such as Child Care Licensing Division licensing needs and ERDC Enhanced Rate Program (ERP) eligibility. You may also use ORO to produce an official record of your professional development, called a Professional Development Statement (PDS).
Log in or create an account at my.oregonregistryonline.org. For additional information, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Your Professional Development Statement (PDS)
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 (PDS). A PDS can:
- Help you plan your future professional development needs. Download and complete your own professional development plan.
- Allow you to ensure your professional development records are accurate and up to date. Contact us to report any inaccuracies or missing records.
Submitting Your Professional Dvelopment
Upload your documents directly to myORO or send copies via mail with an ORO Training Cover Sheet.
Submitting Professional Development for an Child Care Licensing Visit
If you are submitting professional development 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 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 professional development submitted to ORO for staff at your facility on the “Staff Qualification and Training Log” (provided by the Child Care Licensing Division). 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 professional development 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 (CPL)," "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. (While CPL helps you earn college credit toward a degree, the Oregon Registry does not use CPL to advance your Registry Step level.)
Check out our Scholarship Programs to see if you're eligible for help.
Courses by Core Knowledge Category (CKC) Guide
The Community College Courses and CKC Crosswalk is a list of courses offered by Oregon community colleges with their suggested Core Knowledge Categories (CKCs). Please be aware that CKCs are assigned upon verification of professional development 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 CKCs 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.