NE · Step Up to Quality
Nebraska — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
Nebraska recognizes CDA on the NECPRS career framework; Sixpence and public-school pre-K require bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement.
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements: Nebraska DHHS Children and Family Services child care licensing accepts CDA. CDA recognized at a defined level on the NECPRS career levels.
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus required orientation and ongoing PD.
- Director requirements: Higher career-level placement + administrative coursework + experience.
- State-funded pre-K (Sixpence Early Learning Fund, public-school pre-K): Bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement required. CDA does not satisfy.
- QRIS: Step Up to Quality — Nebraska's QRIS. Higher Step ratings expect AA/BA mix.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Nebraska is administered through Nebraska AEYC.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System (NECPRS) — Administered by the Nebraska Department of Education. Multi-tier career levels recognizing CDA, AA, BA, and state teacher cert.
- Nebraska Department of Education — Early Childhood Inclusive (B-3) endorsement for public-school pre-K; BA + state EPP.
Notable state context
NECPRS is the centralized workforce registry; Step Up to Quality embeds career-level placement directly into provider star ratings, making CDA an explicit step toward higher quality designations.