WA SB5279

Licensed child care providers may use 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

Qualifying providers must have active employment in a certificate-requiring position, documentation in the state's electronic workforce registry, and completion of all required health, safety, and child care basics training

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families must proactively recognize qualifying providers without requiring them to submit applications, and must notify providers when their qualifications are fulfilled

A stakeholder group will be convened to identify strategies for improving staff qualification requirements and verification processes, including recognition of equivalent out-of-state education and training

The department must report to the legislature by December 1, 2026, on identified strategies and implementation timelines; the stakeholder group provision expires July 1, 2028