Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® (ECMH-E®) Requirements
Each ECMH-E® category has specific work, education, in-service training and reflective supervision/consultation requirements, specific to children 3 through 6 years and their families. In addition, Endorsement® applicants will demonstrate achievement of competencies, as defined in the desired category. This chart represents only a summary of the ECMH Endorsement® categories. Detailed information specific to each category can be downloaded from the links below.
Category 1
Early Childhood
Family Associate
CDA, Associate's degree, or two years of early childhood experience
Minimum 30 hours, average 40 hour of in-service training
Signed Code of Ethics
Optional Reflective Supervision/Consultation
3 Reference Ratings (at least 1 must meet requirements for Endorsement® at Category 2, 3, or 4)
No Written Exam
Category 2
Early Childhood
Family Specialist
Bachelor's or Master's degree and two years of post-Bachelor's work experience in the infant/toddler field
Minimum 30 hours, average 50 hour of in-service training
Signed Code of Ethics
Minimum 24 clock hours within a 12-month to 24-month time period while working with 3 up to 6-year olds and families and/or while providing supervision to staff who are providing services to children (3 up to 6-year olds) and their families
3 Reference Ratings (at least 1 must meet requirements for Endorsement® at Category 2, 3, or 4)
No Written Exam
Category 3
Early Childhood
Mental Health Specialist
Master's or Post-Graduate degree and two years of post-Master's work on behalf of caregiver-child relationship
Minimum 30 hours, average 75 hour of in-service training
Signed Code of Ethics
Minimum 50 clock hours within a 12-month to 24-month time period while working with 3 up to 6-year olds and families
3 Reference Ratings (at least 1 must be from supervisor/consultant providing reflective practice)
Written Exam
Category 4
Early Childhood
Mental Health Mentor
Master's or Post-Graduate degree and three years of postgraduate work as a leader in the ECMH field
3 years post-Master's work in the infant, early childhood, and family field
Minimum 30 hours, average 75 hour of in-service training
Signed Code of Ethics
Clinical only: Minimum 50 clock hours within a 12-month to 24-month time period while working with 3 up to 6-year olds and families. A minimum of 25-hours of the RSC received should be about the RSC that the applicant provides to others
3 Reference Ratings (clinical leader: at least 1 must be from supervisor/consultant providing reflective practice)
Written Exam
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Early Childhood Family Associate applicants need to meet the Education OR the Work requirement they do not need to meet both.
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For Early Childhood Family Associate applicants, volunteer experience may meet the work criterion if it was a) supervised experience with women during pregnancy or with infants, toddlers, & families AND b) included specialized training. Examples include CASA, Doula, Child Life Specialist.
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Only Early Childhood Mental Health Mentor - Clinical applicants need to fulfill the requirement of being a provider of RS/C for 3+ years.
Download the Competency Guidelines®
Please note: Copyright law does allow individuals to print out or make ONE copy of copyrighted material for personal, non-commercial purposes only. None of the copyrighted Endorsement® documents included here may be reproduced, displayed, distributed, or otherwise used in any format, including electronically, without the express written consent of MI-AIMH. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright.
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