Maine Roads to Quality Logo

Maine Technical Assistance Credential

The most effective professional development does not end with a training — it continues through ongoing, relationship-based support. Mentors, coaches, consultants, and peer-to-peer network facilitators are the professionals who make that ongoing support possible. The Maine Technical Assistance Credential formally recognizes their expertise.This credential is for experienced ECE professionals who have moved into technical assistance roles — serving as mentors, coaches, consultants, or peer-to-peer network facilitators. It is built on the understanding that when TA professionals bring deep subject matter expertise, a strong grasp of adult learning principles, and technical assistance pedagogy together, they can more effectively support the providers and programs they work with.This is an advanced credential with significant education, training, and experience requirements. If you are working toward a TA role, review the eligibility requirements below before applying.The credential is grounded in Maine's Technical Assistance Competencies for the Early Childhood Workforce.

The credential is built around five competency areas that expand upon the foundational Core Knowledge Areas to include skills specific to technical assistance practice:

  • Professionalism — ethical practices, responsibilities and boundaries, role as change agent, self-reflection, current research and best practice, advocacy
  • Adult Learning Principles — adult learning theory, effective learning environments, adapting to TA partner styles and needs
  • Building Relationships — building trust, clear agreements, collaborative problem-solving, ongoing feedback, effective communication
  • The Technical Assistance Process — stages of TA, gathering information, goal setting, action planning, mentoring, coaching, consultation, peer-to-peer networks, evaluating and ending TA
  • Systems Knowledge — early childhood systems components, regulation and standards, resource and referral
  • Engaging in Professional Development with Adult Learners — 18 hours
  • Foundations of Relationship-Based Technical Assistance — 18 hours
  • Foundations of Mentoring — 15 hours
  • Foundations of Coaching — 15 hours
  • Foundations of Collaborative Consultation — 15 hours
  • Foundations of Peer-to-Peer Networks — 15 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.

Before applying, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Active membership in the Maine Roads to Quality Registry
  • A Baccalaureate degree in education or a related field
  • At least 2,000 hours of documented experience providing technical assistance — as a mentor, coach, consultant, or peer-to-peer network facilitator — within the past five years
  • At least two years (4,000 hours) of experience working in a specific area of expertise or discipline within the past five years
  • Completion of a minimum of 105 hours of required MRTQ PDN training within ten years of your application date

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.

Your Action Steps

Download the Maine Technical Assistance Credential Packet