Getting Started
A Registry approved Trainer is required for each training event submitted through the Registry Professional Development Approval System (PDASystem). All Registry approved training is accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families toward continuing education hours for child care and education professionals.
Registry Trainer Types
A Registry approved Trainer is required for each training event submitted through the Registry Professional Development Approval System (PDASystem). All training that is Registry approved is accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families toward continuing education hours for child care and education professionals.
There are seven different Registry approved trainer types.
- Registered
- Tier 1
- Tier 2
- Tier 3
- Specialist 1—National Training Organizations
- Specialist 2—Wisconsin Expertise
- Specialist 3—Content Expertise
Trainers are approved through their experience and education in the field. Check out the T-TAP Requirements Chart to see how you might qualify. If you are proficient in another language, consider getting the language endorsement in addition to your Trainer endorsement.
Featured Resources
Adult Education Requirement
All individuals seeking the Tier Trainer endorsement must complete the following T-TAP Courses or an adult education course equivalency:
- Foundations: 25 hours (12 Instructor Lead hours + 13 self-paced hours)
- Training Professional: 22 hours (12 Instructor Lead hours + 10 self-paced hours; Prerequisite: Foundations Course)
- Adult Education Course Equivalency:
- First time Tier Trainer applicants are waived from the requirement of completing the Foundations course and the Training Professional course if they have official documentation of completion for a 15-hour (minimum) non-credit adult education or for-credit college adult education course. The adult education course must include content specific to adult learning concepts and/or theory.
- Currently employed higher education faculty who are first time Tier Trainer applicants are waived from the requirement of completing the Foundations course and the Training Professional course.
To find upcoming T-TAP Course offerings, search the Statewide Training Calendar using the Filter Training menu on the left side of the screen. You may also contact the following agencies:
- 4C for Children
- Family Connections
- Five Star Childcare Connected
- Shine
- Spark Early Education
- Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA)
- Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA)
Featured Resources
Becoming a Registry Approved Trainer
We highly recommend consulting the listed resources and following the guides included in each step below.
Becoming a Trainer for Specific Training
To become a Trainer for the following training, there may be some additional requirements. Please review the information listed below:
Step #1: Get Ready
Requirements are different for each Trainer endorsement so be sure to review the T-TAP Requirements Chart to see what is needed for the application process. During the application process, documents can be uploaded to meet endorsement requirements if not already verified on your Registry profile.
Prepare any of the following documents applicable to the endorsement you are applying for before you begin your Registry application:
- Obtain a Criminal Background Check Record or a copy of the results of a background check from the DOJ/FBI dated within the last 5 years. The Wisconsin Registry requires a name-based criminal background record check for all Registered, Tiered, and Specialist 2 & 3 Trainers. This requirement will help maintain the integrity of the Wisconsin Registry and the community of approved Trainers.
- Documentation of training hours of experience. This information is self-reported. One’s entire history of experience is not needed – just a list that demonstrates the minimum requirement has been met.
- The Wisconsin Registry accepts an itemized list of each training provided that should include the following:
- Date of training
- Length of time of the training
- Training topic
- Content area of the training
- Documentation of two years of professional development of others, if applicable. This requirement is met if you have supervised student teachers, served as a mentor, held the position of a director of a center, etc. You can write a letter for your file to serve as documentation.
- Adult education course equivalency (training certificate or official transcript with course description), if applicable.
- Resume
- Certificates of additional endorsements or specialty areas, if applicable.
Step #2: Registry Membership
Becoming a Trainer starts with a Registry membership.
- If your Registry membership is current and will not expire in the next 30 days, you can add the Trainer endorsement.
- If you do not have a Registry membership, you will need to apply for membership to add the endorsement.
- If your Registry membership is expired, you will need to renew your membership to add the endorsement.
- There is a one-time fee of $15 to add the Trainer endorsement.
- Be sure to set aside plenty of time to complete the application process online. If you are short on time or need to gather more information, you can save and continue later. Check out the guide How to Become a Trainer for step-by-step instructions for filling out the online application.
Step #3: Submit Documentation
During the application process, upload all necessary documents if possible. If documentation is missing, the application is incomplete and cannot be processed. After submitting your application, send all remaining documentation and request official transcripts be sent directly to the Wisconsin Registry, if applicable.
Complete applications are processed in date order. A complete application includes submitting a Registry membership application with the Trainer endorsement online, payment of the application fees, and submitting all required documentation. Standard processing time for Trainer applications is 2-4 weeks from the date the documentation is received by the Wisconsin Registry. When your application is processed, you will receive an email notification. You will then be able to log in to your Registry account to access your membership certificate and the PDASystem.
Step #4: Approval
An individual is approved at the highest endorsement level he/she qualifies for. If an individual is missing a requirement, the Wisconsin Registry will communicate with the individual what requirement is missing to reach an endorsement goal. If necessary, an individual can begin as a Registered Trainer while completing any missing requirements with the goal of becoming a Tier 3 Trainer in the future.
Be sure to review the Registry T-TAP Agreement to fully understand the Registry Trainer and Technical Assistance Professional code of conduct which includes ethical obligations, professional responsibilities, and the misconduct process.
Abusive Head Trauma
Contact the Department of Children and Families (DCF): https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ccic/aht-training
Child Care Foundational Training
Visit the Child Care Foundational Training Information for for Trainers and TSOs page for more information.
CPR
Review the approved list of CPR/AED providers and courses:
Pyramid Model
Contact the WI Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIHM): https://wiaimh.org/connect-with-your-regional-lead
T-TAP Courses
Thank you for your interest in becoming approved to offer the Wisconsin Registry Trainer and Technical Assistance Professional (T-TAP) Courses. The Wisconsin Registry is the agency that oversees the T-TAP course curriculum and instructor approval process to offer the T-TAP course series. The T-TAP courses are required to meet the adult education requirement to become an approved Trainer or Technical Assistance Professional. The T-TAP course series includes:
- Foundations Course
- Training Professional Course
- Technical Assistance Professional Course
To apply to become a T-TAP course series instructor, you must first meet the following criteria:
- Have experience as an adult educator/trainer providing a minimum of 200 hours of Tier level training
- Be a Registry Level 13 or higher
- Have successfully completed the T-TAP course series as a participant
- Hold a current Tier 3 Trainer Endorsement in the Wisconsin Registry
- Be proficient in creating and presenting your own training content
- Have the Language Endorsement if proficient in a second language and are planning on training in your second language.
If you meet the above criteria and would like to pursue becoming an approved T-TAP course series instructor, you must complete an application process. This process includes:
- Completing an application and commitment form
- Submitting an up-to-date resume including Registry Level and ID#
- Submitting a completed Trainer Self-Assessment using the Inventory of Practice (IOP) through the lens of a T-TAP course instructor application
- Completing a Qualified Observer Evaluation which includes:
- Inviting a qualified observer to attend a training you developed.
- Being observed for no less than 1 hour.
- Providing a detailed outline of the training to your qualified observer prior to the training along with the evaluation form.
- Requesting your qualified observer submit their evaluation to the Wisconsin Registry.
- Submitting an outline of the training provided to the qualified observer along with the name and contact information of your qualified observer.
All required materials must be sent to the Wisconsin Registry in a zip file. The Wisconsin Registry notifies all applicants the outcome of the review process within 30 days of receiving all required materials.
If you have further questions regarding the T-TAP course instructor approval process, please contact the Wisconsin Registry at support@wiregistry.org or 608-222-1123.
Wisconsin Early Learning Standards
Contact Collaborating Partners.