Are you looking for free online childcare training with certificates in Maryland? Look no further Marylanders! In today’s blog we will discuss how you can get free childcare training using a the childcare training reimbursement program developed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
How to get $400 in free childcare training reimbursements in Maryland
The Maryland State Department of Education Office of Childcare (MSDE OCC for short) offers training reimbursements to childcare providers. All providers in Maryland with a level two childcare credential or higher can get $400 in free training annually. That’s right, $400 in free training each year!
Training reimbursements can be used for approved Core of Knowledge training, pre-service training, and approved conference and college training. You can even use the reimbursements to get the training you need to renew or apply for your CDA credential.
MSDE OCC approves all Care Courses that grant 2 or more clock hours for Core of Knowledge training requirements. Childcare professionals can have these courses fully reimbursed through the Maryland training reimbursements program up to $400 per year.
In addition, Care Courses offers a free 1‑clock-hour training that you can take without needing to apply for the reimbursement. MSDE approves this free courses for elective training hours in Maryland.
“My courses are completed and I enjoyed them. I’ve been in the Maryland Credentialing Program for a long time and I’ve been taking courses to continue my education for about 28 years. Thank you for adding new courses to your program. It’s so much easier to work at my own pace at home, it’s convenient and affordable.”
- Kathy in Arnold, Maryland
How to Submit Maryland Training Reimbursements
To submit an MSDE training reimbursement application:
- Go to the Maryland OneStop website and click apply online.
- Create an account and fill out the required information.
- Upload the required documents and submit.
Documents and information you will need:
- You will need your CCATS/Party ID# (located on your credential certificate)
- Your Care Courses (or other approved training) certificate of completion. Care Courses certificates are located in the My Courses area of your Care Courses account.
- The receipt for the course(s) purchased. Your Care Courses receipts are located in the My Orders area of your Care Course account.
Applications are free, take 10–30 minutes to complete, and are approved within 1–30 days.
Viola! Training requirements completed and fully reimbursed.
“I love Care Courses! The process—from ordering a course [Challenging Behavior: Positive Guidance in Child Care] to printing my completed certificate—was seamless, easy and efficient. Thank you, Care Courses.”
Cathy in Glen Burnie, Maryland

So easy to study from a coursebook!
How to get a level two Maryland childcare credential
In order to be eligible for training reimbursements through the state, you will need a level two childcare staff credential. Lets discuss the purpose and general requirements for the staff credential.
Maryland childcare credential program aims to produce a highly skilled workforce, improve the quality of child care programs, and enhance the status and compensation of child care providers. All registered family childcare providers and childcare center staff in licensed facilities are eligible for the program.
When applying to the credential program, participants agree to work directly with children on a daily basis in a child care setting for at least one year. Participants must also complete required continued education training hours and professional development activities. MSDE issues the credential for 12 months, and credentials must be renewed annually. Those seeking the Credential can take training from an approved training organization, like Care Courses, or from approved trainers or accredited colleges or universities.
Substitutes or volunteers at a registered family child care home or licensed child care center are ineligible for the program.
All applicants should read the program booklet to learn about the program and requirements before applying.
Level 1 Staff Credential:
To reach level one, childcare providers must be licensed and in good compliance with licensing requirements.
Level 2 Staff Credential:
To reach level two, applicants must:
- Complete 45 clock hours of Core of Knowledge approved training with a minimum of 20 hours completed in the Child Development Core of Knowledge area. (Check out our courses categorized by core knowledge area on our website.)
- Complete 1 Professional Activity Unit (PAU). PAU* activities vary and must be approved. However, you can easily get 1 PAU by participating in a child care event at a center where parents are invited to participate. You can also get 1 PAU by becoming a member of a local, state, or national child care professional organization such as NAEYC.
- Complete 12 clock hours of training annually. (Providers can use the reimbursement program to pay for these 12 hours of training.)
To apply for or increase your credential level, you must complete the credential application found on the MSDE OCC website. Make sure to follow the steps outlined by OCC. First time applicants will need to write a short reflective essay and all applicants should read the Child Care Credential Program Booklet prior to submitting the application. All applicants should review the helpful resources, tips, and guides listed on the OCC website before completing the application.
Approval and additional information
Once approved, you will be granted a one-time bonus of $200 (received in the form of a check) and be eligible for $400 in free childcare training reimbursements each year!
Each level beyond level two comes with additional cash incentives and benefits. Review the charts on pages 14–16 of the program booklet to learn about the benefits of higher credential levels.
While not covered in this blog, the Maryland child care administrators credential offers administrators many benefits as well.
Now that you know how to get free training in Maryland, check out our Maryland training blog. This blog discusses the many ways you can use Care Courses for your professional development in Maryland.
“Everything is going perfect. I am doing the courses [Days with Toddlers: Curriculum Planning for Ages 12–36 Months] during spare time and the information, examples and quiz are all on target, keep me interested and allow me to review some knowledge from my career.
Cecilia in Bethesda, Maryland
Thank you!!”
*PAUs or Professional Activity Units are a measurement of professional activities that engage participants in the broader aspects of early childhood education. PAUs help others understand the profession, promote early childhood, and further the participants own knowledge. Approved training does not count toward PAUs. The MD childcare credential program booklet provides a helpful list of PAU examples.
Care Courses’ Core of Knowledge training organization number is CKO-150280. Our continued training organization number is CTO-2281. Our pre-service organization number is PSO-19.
Care Courses Contact
Please let us know how we can be of additional assistance! Call us: 1–800–685‑7610, Monday through Friday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings and weekends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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