The WV STARS Registry is the system that collects demographic, educational, employment, and professional development information for the Early Care & Education Field (Birth to Three, Home Visitation, Child Care, Out of School Time Care, Head Start, etc.)

A registry participant is anyone who is a member of the West Virginia Statewide Training and Registry System (WV STARS). They have provided their personal demographic and employment information and can access the training calendar to register for training. They also have access to their training history record through WV STARS. A career pathway participant is a member of WV STARS who has provided their demographic and employment information, AND submitted a current resume and educational documentation. Career Pathway participants are assigned a Career Pathway Credential Level by WV STARS staff and will receive a Career Pathway Credential certificate in the mail.

The WV STARS Career Pathway is a system of career mobility that is based on West Virginia's Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies and is available to professionals at all levels. The Career Pathway provides a framework to encourage higher levels of skills, credentials, and wages.

When a Career Pathway Application is approved, WV STARS Staff assigns the applicant a Career Pathway Level. The level is assigned based on education (both formal and informal) and experience.

If you are employed in a licensed child care center, you must have a Career Pathway Certificate and and have been assigned a level on the Career Pathway & and a WV STARS Registry ID number. Check with your supervisor if you are unsure if you should be a Career Pathway participant or a Registry Participant. Your assigned Career Pathway Level can serve as a starting point for planning your career development and professional growth.

Step-by-step guide with photos to create your account and apply for a Career Pathway Credential. 1. Complete the Applicant Information tab and select NEXT 2. Read and mark Agree to the Participant Agreement then select NEXT 3. Complete the Employment Information tab information and select NEXT 4. Complete the Demographic Information tab information and select NEXT 5. Complete the Next Steps tab by choosing WV STARS Career Pathway and select REGISTER 6. Click on the Career Pathway Credential Submission tab on the left side of your screen. 7. Select Career Pathway Credential from the drop-down box 8. Click on APPLY towards the right of the screen 9. In the Experience in Early Childhood Education box click ADD NEW 10. Click UPLOAD, enter the number of years of experience in Early Childhood Education that you believe is represented on your resume and click on SAVE 11. Under the Formal Education label click ADD NEW DEGREE or ADD NEW ACADIMIC COURSE WORK 13. Enter the name of the Educational Institution, Type of Degree or Diploma and the Date Earned and select UPLOAD 14. After a copy of your official college transcripts or high school diploma/GED have been attached select SAVE 15. After attaching all documentation click on UPDATE INFORMATION at the bottom of the page to submit your information 16. You will know you did it correctly as it will show as pending on your screen. Please remember Career Pathway Credential Submission information must be attached to complete your application (this step comes after the Register button). Apply Online

We encourage you to review the step-by-step guide to familiarize yourself with the process before you begin! It is very helpful to have your educational documentation and resume ready to upload when you apply, but if you don't have it when you can apply, you can upload it later - just don't forget! You cannot be assigned a Career Pathway Level and Certificate without submitting your educational documentation and a resume.

You must renew your WV STARS Career Pathway Certificate every 3 years.

Your assigned Career Pathway Level is based on Early Childhood specific Education and Experience and once you've advanced one of those areas you can apply to move to the next level! Guide to Advancing your Career Pathway Certificate You can apply to advance your Career Pathway Level at any time during the 3 years your Career Pathway Certificate is active. Advancing your Career Pathway Level automatically renews your Career Pathway Certificate.

Step-by-step photo guide to renewing your Career Pathway Certificate

If your certificate expired less than 6 months ago, you can renew. (See "How do I Renew my Career Pathway Certificate") If your certificate expired more than 6 months ago, you must reinstate.