The Illinois Director Credential is for professional administrators of ECE and school-age programs. It requires specific levels of training, education, experience teaching in an ECE or school-age program, and experience as a director or assistant director in an ECE or school-age program.
You can apply for a Gateways Credential through the Direct Route or Entitled Route. Look at the descriptions below, decide which route you will take and follow the specific instructions for that path to your Credential.
For additional information regarding the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Director Qualifications, click here.
How to Apply
Direct Route - To apply through the Direct Route you will submit information that documents your Education and Training, and Work and Practical Experience in administration and early care and education/school-age care.
Steps to Apply
- Become a Gateways Registry member.
- Download the Direct Route Credentials Supplement Application.
- Fill out the Supplement Application including the Work & Practical Experience Form and the Information Update Form.
- Enclose a $65 check for payment (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.
- Mail these documents to:
INCCRRA/Applications
1226 Towanda Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61701 - Request your 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, you do not need to resend.
Entitled Route - As an Entitled Route applicant you need to complete a degree program at an Entitled Institution and submit the Higher Education Entitled Route Credential Supplement Application. An Entitled Institution is an accredited college or university who has aligned their coursework with Credential requirements.
Steps to Apply
- Become a Gateways Registry member.
- Download the Entitled Route Credentials Supplement Application.
- Fill out the Supplement Application including the Information Update Form.
- Enclose a $65 check for payment (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.
- Mail these documents to:
INCCRRA/Applications
1226 Towanda Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61701 - Request your 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, you do not need to resend.
