Youth Development Credential
School-age children and youth need more than supervision during out-of-school hours — they need skilled professionals who understand their developmental needs, can build meaningful relationships, and create environments where they can grow. The Maine Youth Development Credential is how Maine formally recognizes that expertise.This credential is for practitioners working with school-age children and youth in out-of-school time settings — afterschool programs, summer programs, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and other youth development environments. It documents your knowledge and skill across ten competency areas specific to working with children and youth ages five through fifteen.
What the Preschool Credential is Based On
The credential is built around ten competency areas:
- Guidance toward healthy relationships
- Child and adolescent development
- Health, wellness, and safety
- Observation and assessment
- Curriculum and activities
- Learning environment
- Program planning and evaluation
- Cross-cultural competence
- Connecting with families, schools, and community
- Professionalism
Required Training Hours
- Creating Inclusive Youth Development Settings — 30 hours (or 18 hours)
- Foundations of Health, Wellness, and Safety — 18 hours
- Links to Learning — 45 hours
- Partners in Caring: Families and Caregivers — 15 hours
- Partners in Caring: Families and Caregivers — 15 hours
- Working with School Age Children and Youth — 30 hours
- Your Professional Development Portfolio — 9 hours
If you completed required training more than ten years ago or have comparable training from another source, you may apply for an alternative pathway.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, you must meet the following requirements:
- Active membership in the Maine Roads to Quality Registry
- High school diploma, GED, or HiSet
- At least 360 hours of documented experience working or volunteering with school-age children and youth within the past five years
- Completion of a minimum of 135 hours of required MRTQ PDN Core Knowledge training within ten years of your application date
Application Deadlines
If approved, your credential is valid for three years. Renewal requires 45 contact hours of relevant training OR a 3.0 credit college course. Initial credentials renew after three years; subsequent renewals every five years.
- January 15 — notified by February 28
- April 15 — notified by May 31
- July 15 — notified by August 31
- October 15 — notified by November 30
Questions?
Contact our credentialing team at mrtq.credentials@maine.edu or 1-888-900-0055.