Level One:
Practitioners have a high school diploma/GED, 6 months of experience, and 30 hours of related training.
Level Two:
Practitioners have a high school diploma/GED, 1 year of experience, and 45 hours of related training.
Level Three:
Practitioners have 1-year credit Certificate in Social Services, Early Childhood Education (ECE), or a related field;
Or Child Development Associate (CDA) or Maine state approved credential* or 9 related college credits and I year experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED with LSW certification and 3 years of experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED, 3 years experience, and 90 hours related training.
Level Four:
Practitioners have an AA/AS in Social services, ECE, or related field*;
Or an AA/AS with 12 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 year experience;
Or a 1 year credit Certificate in Social Services, ECE, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or CDA or Maine state approved credential or 9 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 3 years experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED with LSW certification and 5 years experience;
Or a high school diploma/GED, 5 years experience, and 135 hours related training.
Level Five:
Practitioners have a BA/BS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field;
Or a BA/BS in with 12 credits in ECE, Social Services, or related subject and 1 year of experience;
Or an AA/AS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or a 1-year credit Certificate in Social Services, ECE, or a related field and 5 years experience;
Or a CDA, Maine state approved credential, or LSW – or 9 credits in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 6 years of experience.
Level Six:
Practitioners have a MA/MS in Social Services, Social Work, ECE, or a related field;
Or a BA/BS in Social Services, Social Welfare, or related field with LSW certification and 1 year experience;
Or a BA/BS in Social Services, ECE, or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or an AA/AS in Social Services, ECE, or a related field and 5 years experience.
Level Seven:
MA/MS in Social Services or a related field and 2 years experience;
Or a BA/BS in Social Services, Social Welfare, or a related field with LSW certification and 3 years experience;
Or a BA/BS in Social Services, ECE, or a related field and 5 years experience.
Level Eight:
Practitioners have a Doctorate in Social Services, Social Work, ECE or a related field;
Or a MA/MS in ECE, Social Services, or a related field and 5 years experience.
- Maine state approved credentials include the Maine Infant Toddler Credential, Maine Director Credential, Maine Youth Development Credential, Maine Inclusion Credential, Family Child Care Credential, Technical Assistance Credential, Preschool Credential, and the Certified Early Childhood Assistant credential.
- Accepted course work/ degrees can be in Early Childhood Education, Child Growth and Development, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child & Family Studies, Child, Family and Community Relationships, Mental Health and Human Services and Social Work. Non-related degrees must include at least 36 college credits in the above categories.
- Psychology, Sociology and Secondary Education are not considered related degrees unless the degree includes 36 college credits in the above course categories.