Search certifications

A high school diploma or its equivalent (HiSET / GED). The baseline education credential employers and EEC look for.

Who needs it

Required to work as a Daycare Employee in MA — you must have a high school diploma or GED before you can be hired into an EEC-certified Teacher role.

How to get it

Massachusetts uses the HiSET exam (which replaced the GED here). Free prep classes are offered through adult education programs across the state. Most people take 2–6 months to prepare and pass.

Cost

HiSET test fee ~$95. Prep classes are usually free through MA adult ed programs.

Where to start

MA Adult Education & HiSET ↗HiSET official site ↗

A hands-on course covering Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, AED use, and First Aid. The hands-on skills component is required — fully online courses don't satisfy EEC.

Who needs it

Recommended for babysitters. Required for camp roles. Required for every EEC-licensed daycare staff member, and at least one certified educator must be present whenever children are in care.

How to get it

2–4 hour class through the Red Cross or American Heart Association — in-person or blended (online + in-person skills check).

Cost

$40–$110. Often reimbursed by your employer.

Where to start

Red Cross — Find a class ↗American Heart Association ↗

A national early childhood credential. The single most respected entry-level credential in the field, and an official path to EEC Teacher certification in MA.

Who needs it

Anyone who wants to qualify as an EEC Teacher without taking a college class — the CDA counts as your education requirement.

How to get it

Complete 120 hours of ECE training, document 480 hours of work with kids, build a portfolio, then pass an exam and observation.

Cost

~$425 application fee. Many MA centers reimburse it after a year of employment.

Where to start

CDA Council ↗

Massachusetts' state credential to work as a teacher in a licensed child care center. Issued in two tracks: Infant-Toddler (birth–33 months) and Preschool (33 months–kindergarten). You can hold both.

Who needs it

Every classroom teacher in an EEC-licensed center.

How to get it

3 college credits in Child Growth & Development PLUS 9 months (≈450 hours) of supervised work experience with kids in the age group you want to teach. The CDA and approved Chapter 74 vocational training also satisfy the education requirement.

Cost

Education path: ~$200–$450 for one community college class, OR ~$425 for the CDA.

Where to start

EEC Educator Certification (mass.gov) ↗

MA's credential to lead a classroom — set the curriculum, supervise other teachers. Issued in the same Infant-Toddler and Preschool tracks as the Teacher cert.

Who needs it

Anyone leading a classroom in an EEC-licensed center.

How to get it

9 college credits in Early Childhood Education PLUS supervised teaching experience that scales with your degree: 36 months with a high school diploma, 27 months with a certificate, 18 months with an Associate degree, or 9 months with a Bachelor's. Must be 21+. CDA, Montessori, and certain DESE/DPH credentials are also recognized pathways.

Cost

About 3 community college classes (~$600–$1,400 total). Many employers reimburse.

Where to start

EEC Lead Teacher pathway ↗

MA's first-tier credential to administer a licensed child care center. Qualifies you to run a small-to-mid-size program.

Who needs it

Anyone running a small or mid-size EEC-licensed center.

How to get it

Hold a Lead Teacher certification PLUS at least 6 additional months of experience as a Lead Teacher, 2 college credits in Day Care Administration, and 2 additional college credits in Early Childhood Education.

Cost

Roughly 1–2 community college classes on top of Lead Teacher coursework.

Where to start

EEC Director qualifications ↗

MA's senior-tier center administrator credential. Required for larger centers and most owner-operators.

Who needs it

Anyone running a larger EEC-licensed center or opening one as an owner-operator.

How to get it

Hold a Director I certification PLUS 2 additional college credits in advanced administration topics (e.g. supervision, budgeting, special-needs / inclusion programming).

Cost

Typically 1 additional community college class.

Where to start

EEC Director qualifications ↗

EEC license to run child care from your own home. The fastest path to ownership in MA.

Who needs it

Anyone who wants to be paid to care for non-relative kids in their home, beyond limited informal care.

How to get it

Complete EEC orientation, register in the Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR), pass background checks for everyone 15+ in your household, complete required training, get your home inspected, and meet provider experience requirements.

Cost

Application + training + supplies generally $500–$1,500 to start.

Where to start

EEC Family Child Care licensing ↗

MA's required background screening for anyone with potential for unsupervised contact with kids in licensed care. Includes a fingerprint-based check.

Who needs it

Every paid daycare staff member, every camp counselor, every household adult 15+ in a Family Child Care.

How to get it

Submitted through your employer (or directly through EEC if you're licensing your own program). Includes fingerprinting at an IdentoGO site. Usually takes 2–6 weeks to clear, and must be renewed every 3 years.

Cost

Usually free to you — the employer pays the fingerprint and processing fees.

Where to start

EEC Background Record Check ↗

MA's official registry where your EEC certifications and training hours live. Think of it as your professional record.

Who needs it

Anyone working toward or holding an EEC credential.

How to get it

Create an account on the EEC PQR portal and upload your transcripts, certifications, and work hours.

Cost

Free.

Where to start

EEC PQR portal ↗

EEC's required onboarding curriculum for new educators. Covers licensing basics, health and safety, child development fundamentals, and your obligations as a mandated reporter. Delivered as an online self-paced course plus a center-led orientation.

Who needs it

Every new staff member at an EEC-licensed center, including assistants and floaters.

How to get it

Sign in to the EEC PQR portal and complete the Essentials 2.0 modules online. Your director schedules your in-person orientation.

Cost

Free.

Where to start

EEC Essentials 2.0 ↗

A 10-hour federal safety course covering jobsite hazards, fall protection, electrical safety, and PPE. The baseline construction safety credential.

Who needs it

Required by Massachusetts law for any worker on a public-works construction project, and standard on most private commercial sites. Helpers and apprentices should get it before applying.

How to get it

10 hours online or in person through any OSHA-authorized trainer. Card is valid for life.

Cost

$60–$90 online. Often reimbursed by your employer.

Where to start

OSHA Outreach Training (osha.gov) ↗

The supervisor-level version of OSHA 10. Covers everything in OSHA 10 plus crane safety, scaffolding, confined spaces, and supervisor responsibilities.

Who needs it

Required for foremen, site supervisors, and many lead positions. Strongly recommended for any apprentice who wants to move up.

How to get it

30 hours online or in person through an OSHA-authorized trainer. Card is valid for life.

Cost

$160–$220 online. Many employers pay for this.

Where to start

OSHA Outreach Training (osha.gov) ↗

Some MA cities and large GCs require a photo worker ID and proof of OSHA training before you set foot on the site. Not a state-wide credential, but common on Boston-area commercial jobs.

Who needs it

Anyone working on a large commercial or public-works site in Greater Boston.

How to get it

Issued by the GC or general contractor's safety office once you provide your OSHA card and ID. Some sites require pre-task hazard training on top.

Cost

Usually free — the GC handles it.

Where to start

Mass.gov — Construction safety ↗

A 2–5 year paid program registered with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS). Combines on-the-job training with ~150 hours/year of classroom work. Required to qualify for most MA trade licenses.

Who needs it

Anyone pursuing licensure as an electrician, plumber, sheet metal worker, sprinkler fitter, or HVAC tech. Carpenters, masons, and laborers also commonly go through registered apprenticeships.

How to get it

Apply to a DAS-approved program — union (IBEW, UA, Carpenters) or non-union (ABC, IEC). Pass the entrance test, get hired by a participating employer, and start logging hours.

Cost

Free to you in most union programs (the program is funded by employer contributions). Non-union programs sometimes charge $500–$2,000/yr for classroom training.

Where to start

MA Division of Apprentice Standards (mass.gov) ↗

Massachusetts state license to perform your trade unsupervised. Issued separately by trade — Journeyman Electrician (Class B), Journeyman Plumber, Journeyman Gas Fitter, Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker, etc.

Who needs it

Required to do licensed trade work in MA without direct supervision by a master.

How to get it

Complete your registered apprenticeship hours, apply through the relevant MA board, and pass the journeyman exam. Renewal requires continuing education (e.g., 21 hours per 3-year cycle for electricians).

Cost

Application + exam fees usually $100–$300. Prep courses run $300–$600.

Where to start

MA Division of Occupational Licensure ↗

MA license issued by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS). Lets you supervise construction and pull building permits for buildings under 35,000 cubic feet. Specialty CSLs cover narrower scopes (Roofing, Solid Fuel, Window/Siding, etc.).

Who needs it

Required for foremen and supervisors on most residential and light commercial projects, and for any contractor pulling building permits in their own name.

How to get it

Document at least 3 years of building construction experience, be 18+, and pass the CSL exam (covers the MA State Building Code, 780 CMR).

Cost

Application + exam fees about $150. Prep courses $300–$700.

Where to start

MA Construction Supervisor License (mass.gov) ↗

Top-tier trade license. Lets you open a shop in your trade, employ journeymen, and pull permits as the master of record. Issued separately by the MA Board of Examiners of Electricians or the MA Board of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.

Who needs it

Anyone running a licensed electrical, plumbing, or gas fitting business in MA.

How to get it

Hold a journeyman license in the trade for the required period (typically 1+ year, with additional requirements), document additional work experience, and pass the master exam.

Cost

Application + exam fees usually $200–$400. Prep courses $400–$800.

Where to start

MA Division of Occupational Licensure ↗

MA Office of Consumer Affairs registration required for any residential remodel or repair contract over $500. Not a license — a registration. Covers you to take work in your own name and gives the homeowner Guaranty Fund protection.

Who needs it

Anyone doing residential improvement, remodel, or repair work in MA on contracts over $500. Distinct from the CSL — many contractors hold both.

How to get it

Apply through the MA Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, pay the registration fee plus a contribution to the Guaranty Fund, and use HIC-compliant contracts going forward.

Cost

About $150 every 2 years (registration + Guaranty Fund contribution).

Where to start

MA Home Improvement Contractor registration ↗

Standard adult First Aid and CPR certification for jobsite emergencies.

Who needs it

Required by many GCs for the lead supervisor on site. Strongly recommended for foremen and contractors.

How to get it

2–4 hour course through the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Cost

$50–$110. Often reimbursed by your employer.

Where to start

Red Cross — Find a class ↗