About the OEC Head Teacher Certificate

What is an OEC Approved Head Teacher?

OEC licensing statutes and regulations define an OEC Approved Head Teacher and eligibility. When designated by a licensed center or group home: "Head Teacher means the person responsible for the day to day educational portion of the child day care center or group day care home who shall be on site for sixty (60) percent of the hours the center is in operation on a weekly basis, who may also be the director" [19a-79a-1a(33)].

Who can be an OEC Approved Head Teacher?

You must be at least 20 years old and meet Head Teacher Education and Experience Requirements. An OEC Approved Head Teacher does not have to be the Head Teacher designated by a licensed center or group home, but you are eligible if you hold the Head Teacher certificate specific to your licensed setting (center or group home) and age group (birth to preschool, school-age, or birth to school-age).

How can I apply to be an OEC Approved Head Teacher?

Follow these steps:

  1. Open a Registry account at www.oecregistry.org
    1. Upload evidence of meeting the education requirements to your account: log in and go to My Documents, then follow the prompts. Refer to the Head Teacher Education and Experience Requirements or Head Teacher Education and Experience Requirements (Spanish) document as well as How to Submit Documentation.

    2. Upload the completed Teaching Experience Verification Form (EVF) or Teaching Experience Verification Form (EVF) (Spanish) to your account. This form is signed by the supervisor where the experience was gained; use one EVF per job if you are using multiple jobs to qualify.
  2. When the documents submitted in 2a and 2b have a status of verified (check My Tools and Settings > My Documents), apply: Log in to your Registry account. Go to My Role Applications, then Apply for Head Teacher. The Registry will review your EVF information and your education to tell your eligibility. You can then submit the electronic application for OEC review. Allow up to 20 business days for a decision.
    1. If approved, you will be sent an email via the Registry and will be able to download your official Head Teacher certificate under My Tools and Settings.

    2. If denied, you will be notified by email with the reason(s) for denial and may re-apply when requirements are met.
  3. Remember that notices are emailed to your email address used for Registry log in. Copies of emails are also kept in each Registry account (log in and go to My Tools and Settings > My Messages).