MI · Great Start to Quality
Michigan — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
Michigan recognizes CDA on the MiRegistry Career Pathway; GSRP state pre-K requires bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement (ZA, ZS).
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements: Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) child care licensing accepts CDA. CDA recognized on the MiRegistry Career Pathway.
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus required orientation and ongoing PD.
- Director requirements: Michigan Director Credential for ECE administrators.
- State-funded pre-K (Great Start Readiness Program / GSRP): Bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement (early childhood (ZA) or ZS endorsement). CDA does not satisfy.
- QRIS: Great Start to Quality (GSQ) — Michigan's QRIS administered by MiLEAP. Higher star (5) ratings expect AA/BA mix.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Michigan is administered through Michigan AEYC. ECE apprenticeship pathways through Michigan community colleges.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- MiRegistry Career Pathway — Administered by MiRegistry at Michigan AEYC. Multi-tier framework.
- Michigan Infant Toddler Credential (MI-ITCC) — specialty credential for infant/toddler caregivers.
- Michigan Youth Development Associate (MI-YDA) — for school-age program staff.
- Michigan Director Credential — for ECE administrators.
- Michigan Department of Education — Early Childhood (ZA, ZS endorsements; B-K endorsement) for public-school pre-K and primary; BA + state EPP. CDA does not satisfy.
Notable state context
Michigan offers parallel credentials for infant/toddler, school-age, and director roles in addition to the general ECE pathway — one of the more differentiated state credential ecosystems. Great Start to Quality is mature and widely adopted; GSRP state pre-K operates with bachelor's + cert teacher minimums.