To Renew Your Gateways Credentials
All Gateways Credentials, except the ECE Credential Level 1 and the SAYD Credential Level 1, need to be renewed every five years to remain valid.
Renewing your Gateways Credential requires at least 45 clock hours of related* training (or 3 semester hours of related* coursework) completed within the last five years and specific to the Credential(s) you want to renew. Six of those clock hours must be focused on cultural competence, racial equity, and/or multilingual development of children and families. If renewing four or more Credentials, additional training hours may be required.
*Related coursework and training topics by Credential type:
- ECE Credential: topics related to young children birth through age eight.
- Infant Toddler Credential: topics related to children birth to three and their families.
- Illinois Director Credential: topics related to program administration, ECE, and/or school-age development.
- Family Child Care Credential topics related to family child care, ECE, and/or school-age development.
- Family Specialist Credential: topics related to family development, family services, and/or working directly with families.
- School-Age & Youth Development Credential: topics related to school-age and/or youth development ages 5 through 16.
- Technical Assistance Credential: topics related to relationship-based professional development, coaching, and/or mentoring.
If renewing four or more Credentials, click here.
Steps to Renew
- Be a current Gateways Registry member
- Download the pdf Credential Application Renewal (776 KB)
- Update your Professional Development Record (PDR)
- Submit certificates of completion for training hours and send in as proof of any trainings not in Section 5 of your PDR. Certificates must include the length of training.
- If applicable, request updated official transcripts be sent to Gateways from any accredited college or university you attended. An accredited college or university can send official transcripts electronically to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If INCCRRA already has official transcripts on file with new coursework, you do not need to resend
- There is a $65 renewal application fee for the School-Age and Youth Development Credential only. Enclose application fee (make checks payable to INCCRRA) or make a payment online by logging into your Registry Dashboard. Click on My Registry and then choose the Make a Payment section.
- Email these documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail to:
INCCRRA/Applications
1226 Towanda Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61701
