WA HB1082

Licensed child care providers may demonstrate experience-based competency as an alternative to holding early childhood education certificates (initial, short, or state) until August 1, 2028, if they have continuous employment since August 1, 2021, or seven cumulative years of experience, plus completed health and safety training

Department of Children, Youth, and Families must proactively recognize providers who already meet experience-based competency criteria without requiring them to submit an application

Department retains authority to establish more restrictive requirements for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program and may exclude experience-based competency from Early Achievers professional development point calculations

Department must convene a stakeholder group including family home providers, child care centers, training organizations, and advocacy groups to identify strategies for improving staff qualification requirements and recognizing equivalent out-of-state credentials

Department must report to the legislature by December 1, 2026, on stakeholder-identified strategies and implementation plans; provisions expire July 1, 2028