This State Initial ECE Certificate is a point of entry or a continuation of professional development based on Level 1 on the Washington State Career Lattice (meets minimum child care licensing standards or registered apprentice in high school, high school or equivalent and 20 hours Basic STARS/MERIT training OR 2 college credits in Basics of Child Care course, at least 2 hours of training in each of the ECE Core Competency areas.) The Initial Certificate (Level 2 Step 5) is the first stackable certificate providing a foundation for the ECE State Credential and Associate degree.