ITDS Certification: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist - Rusted Certificate Solutions for Education, Training & Business

What Is ITDS Certification and Why Does It Matter?

If you work — or plan to work — with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or special needs, the Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) certification may be one of the most important credentials you can earn. The purpose of the Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) Professional Development Program is to ensure that individuals who provide services to young children with special needs and their families, under the Early Steps program, meet the competencies prescribed for the ITDS professional discipline.

This certification is not just a piece of paper. It represents a commitment to understanding the full scope of early childhood development, including how to serve children and families in the most critical window of human growth — birth to age three. Early intervention during this period has been proven by decades of research to produce better long-term educational, social, and health outcomes for children with disabilities or developmental delays.

The state of Florida has identified the ITDS certificate as a qualifying credential for individuals to work with infants and toddlers in early intervention programs. This means that without this credential, professionals in certain roles simply cannot legally serve families through Florida’s Early Steps program. Whether you are a teacher, social worker, nurse, or a professional transitioning into early childhood services, understanding what the ITDS certification requires — and how to earn it — is your essential first step.

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“Early intervention is the most powerful tool we have for helping children with developmental delays reach their full potential.” — Early Childhood Development Research Consensus

Understanding the ITDS Role in Early Intervention

Before diving into the certification process itself, it’s worth understanding what an ITDS actually does on a day-to-day basis.

Individuals earning the ITDS certificate are eligible to provide services as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist; the ITDS focuses on infant/toddler development and ways to promote development and learning, including designing learning environments and activities to promote development across all domains. The ITDS, in consultation with other early intervention providers on the child and family’s team, assists the family in understanding the special needs of the child and enhancing the child’s development.

In practical terms, an ITDS is often working directly inside a child’s home, daycare, or community environment. They do not work in isolation — they are part of a larger team of early intervention professionals that may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other specialists. Early Interventionists and Infant Toddler Developmental Specialists must have a willingness to provide services in homes, daycare, or community settings where children experience their daily routines.

The ITDS role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including:

Direct developmental services to children with special needs or delays
Parent and caregiver coaching to build confidence in supporting their child
Developmental screening and assessment within the child’s natural environment
Collaboration with other providers as part of the child’s Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) team
Progress documentation through weekly session notes and quarterly reports

The ITDS is one of many providers who provide Early Intervention Services (EI Services) and is eligible to enroll as an EI provider in Florida Medicaid. This Medicaid eligibility is significant — it means ITDS-certified professionals can bill for their services, making this credential directly linked to professional sustainability and income.

Who Needs an ITDS Certification?

The ITDS certification is specifically relevant to professionals in Florida’s Early Steps program, the state’s Part C early intervention system under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you fall into any of the following categories and wish to serve families of children with special needs (birth to age 3) through this system, you need the ITDS credential:

Professional Background	ITDS Relevant?
Early Childhood Educators	✅ Yes
Social Workers	✅ Yes
Nurses	✅ Yes
Child Development Specialists	✅ Yes
Psychology Graduates (B.S. or higher)	✅ Yes
Communication Sciences Professionals	✅ Yes
Family Life Specialists	✅ Yes
Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapists	Eligible as EI (licensed), not required

The ITDS Certificate Program will prepare educators, social workers, nurses, and other professionals in human services fields by increasing their knowledge and skills through an interdisciplinary perspective.

The certification is also valuable for professionals who are not in Florida but are working in similar early intervention roles in other states. Many of the competencies covered in the ITDS training align with national standards for early interventionists, making the knowledge transferable even if the official certification is Florida-specific.

ITDS Certification Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

Before you can pursue ITDS certification, you need to meet certain educational and professional prerequisites. These requirements vary depending on your existing educational background, which is why there are multiple pathways to certification.

Core Educational Requirement

ITDS applicants must have one of the following: a. Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology, or social work.

This is the baseline. Regardless of which option or pathway you choose, a bachelor’s degree is required. Applicants with degrees outside of these listed fields may still qualify if their transcript shows at least 18 credit hours in one of these subject areas, subject to review by the Early Steps State Office.

Experience Requirements

Candidate must have a minimum of 1-year of direct hands-on experience working with children with disabilities or developmental delays ranging in ages birth up to 5 years old. For applicants with out-of-field degrees, an ITDS applicant with an out-of-field degree must provide documentation of at least five years of post-degree professional experience in early intervention using the Early Steps Certification of Experience form.

This experience requirement ensures that ITDS professionals are not only educated but have real-world exposure to the population they serve — a critical safeguard for vulnerable young children and their families.

The Three Pathways to Earning Your ITDS Certification

One of the most important things to understand about the ITDS certification is that there is no single, one-size-fits-all route. Florida has established multiple options so that professionals at different stages of their education and career can qualify. Here’s a breakdown of each pathway:

Option 1: Bachelor’s Degree in an In-Field Discipline

For professionals who already possess a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or early childhood / special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology or social work (or equivalent degree based on transcript review).

Under this pathway, you complete four graduate-level online courses (described in detail below) and then submit your certification packet to the Florida Department of Health.

Option 2: Bachelor’s Degree With Additional Certification

For professionals who already possess a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood or early childhood special education, or related field, and who have additional certification (see list below) and a minimum of 1 year work experience in early intervention.

Additional certifications that qualify include:

Department of Education Pre-kindergarten Disabilities Endorsement
SKI*HI, VIISA, or INSITE certification
University certificate in hearing or vision specialist in early intervention
Early Intervention Credential or equivalent from another state

Option 2 professionals have a unique advantage: you can also meet the requirements for the ITDS certificate by completing the following requirements: Completion of the Early Steps Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist six on-line modules. This means they can complete the online FDOH modules instead of the full FAU coursework.

Option 3: Master’s Degree

For professionals who already possess a Master’s degree in early childhood or early childhood special education or related field, and who have a minimum of 1 year work experience in early intervention. This is the fastest pathway for those with advanced degrees.

The Six ITDS Training Modules: What You Will Learn

If you are pursuing the ITDS certification through the Florida Department of Health’s online training pathway (especially relevant for Option 2-B), you will need to complete six training modules. Successful completion of all six ITDS training modules is required for the ITDS Certificate.

Here is a breakdown of each module:

Module	Title	Key Focus Area
Module 1	Infant Toddler Development	Stages and milestones of typical development
Module 2	Teaming and Systems in Early Intervention	Interdisciplinary collaboration, service coordination
Module 3	Observation and Assessment	Formal and informal assessment tools and strategies
Module 4	Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs	Designing developmentally appropriate activities
Module 5	Partnerships and Alliances with Families and the Community	Family-centered practice, community resources
Module 6	(Integration and Application)	Applying skills across all domains

Each module is designed to build upon the last, taking you from foundational knowledge about how infants and toddlers grow, all the way through practical application in real-world early intervention settings.

ITDS Certification Through Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

For many professionals pursuing the ITDS credential, Florida Atlantic University’s online certificate program is the gold-standard academic pathway. The Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) certificate program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is offered fully online over the course of one calendar year.

The Four Required FAU Courses

The four courses comprising the ITDS coursework are as follows:

EEX 5015 – Survey and Assessment in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education (Spring): Historical, legal, educational, and theoretical rationales for the observation and assessment of young children (birth to age 8).

EEX 5017 – Atypical Development in Early Childhood ESE (Summer): This course will provide students with knowledge of theories of typical and atypical child development, with emphasis on stages and sequences of skill acquisition and the impact of disabilities and biomedical risk factors on learning from birth to age 8.

EEX 5755 – Families and Community Resources in Early Childhood ESE (Spring/Summer): Course will focus on family collaboration and support.

EEX 6707 – Early Intervention Services (Fall): Course provides knowledge and skills to facilitate family-centered early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities or at risk of developing disabilities.

Enrollment Options at FAU

There are several routes to earning an ITDS certificate depending on your background and current level of educational preparation. You must already have a Bachelor’s degree in order to take these courses. They can be taken as a non-degree seeking student (you will need to apply to FAU as a “non-degree seeking student”) or they may be integrated into a Master’s Degree program in the Department of Special Education.

This flexibility is a major selling point of FAU’s program. You can earn the ITDS credential as a standalone certificate without committing to a full master’s degree — but the option to integrate your coursework into a master’s program is available if your career goals expand.

Accreditation Standards

The ITDS certificate program adheres to the following accreditation standards: Florida Prekindergarten/Primary Education (Age 3) Through Grade Three (3) Specialization Competencies (PK/P) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The NAEYC alignment is especially meaningful because it represents the gold standard of professional preparation for early childhood education in the United States.

How to Apply for ITDS Certification: Step-by-Step

Once you have completed the required coursework or modules, here is the general process for submitting your ITDS certification application:

Step 1: Gather all required documents, including:

Copy of your bachelor’s (or higher) degree diploma or official transcripts
Documentation of any additional certifications (if applicable under Option 2)
Completed Early Steps Certification of Experience Form
Proof of coursework completion (FAU transcripts or module completion records)

Step 2: Complete the official cover letter with your personal information

Step 3: Complete the Hardship Waiver Request if applicable

Step 4: Submit your certification packet. To submit this form, send it via email to ITDSWaivers@doh.state.fl.us, or mail it to Children’s Medical Services, Early Steps Training Unit, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A06, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1707. For fax submissions, use (850) 921-8138.

Step 5: Follow up with the Early Steps State Office to confirm receipt and track your application status

Pro Tip: Keep copies of everything you submit. Incomplete applications can be returned, causing delays in the certification process. Double-check your checklist before mailing.

Recertification: Keeping Your ITDS Credential Current

Earning your ITDS certification is not a one-time event. Like most professional credentials, it requires periodic renewal to ensure that specialists stay current with evolving research, best practices, and policy updates.

The requirement for recertification training hours is 24 hours over a three-year period. If done annually, this is approximately 8 hours per year. ITDSs who were certified prior to January 1, 2020 will have until December 31, 2022 to reach their 24 hours of training to meet the recertification requirements.

Breaking this down practically:

Total hours required: 24 continuing education hours per 3-year cycle
Annual equivalent: Approximately 8 hours per year
Topics: Must be relevant to early intervention, infant/toddler development, and family-centered practice

These continuing education requirements can typically be met through:

Statewide early intervention training programs
University-sponsored workshops and seminars
Professional conferences in early childhood or special education
Online training modules approved by the Florida Department of Health

Career Outlook and Salary: What to Expect After ITDS Certification

Understanding the financial and professional rewards of earning your ITDS certification can help you make an informed decision about whether to pursue this credential.

Salary Data

The average Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist salary in Florida is $41,850 as of January 26, 2023, but the range typically falls between $37,307 and $46,905.

While this salary may appear modest compared to some licensed therapy professions, it is important to consider the broader professional picture:

ITDS professionals are eligible to enroll as Medicaid providers, enabling private practice income
Many ITDS specialists work part-time or on flexible schedules
The role offers significant personal fulfillment — working with children in their most formative years
Bilingual ITDS professionals (especially English/Spanish) may command higher compensation

Employment Settings for ITDS-Certified Professionals

ITDS professionals work in a variety of settings, including:

Private homes — delivering services in the child’s natural environment
Daycare centers and preschools — serving children in their early education settings
Community-based agencies — working through nonprofits or therapy organizations
Self-employment — operating as an independent ITDS provider enrolled with Medicaid

As an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) you will work with a team of professionals to deliver early intervention services to families in their natural environment. Children birth to three years of age with developmental delays can qualify for this program and there are no income eligibility requirements.

ITDS Certification and the Early Steps Program: A Powerful Partnership

To fully appreciate why the ITDS certification matters, you need to understand the Early Steps program it supports.

Early Steps is a FREE Program. The Florida Early Intervention System, through collaborative community partnerships, ensures that infants and toddlers with special needs and their families achieve their full potential in the context of everyday relationships, activities and places.

Florida’s Early Steps program operates at the intersection of healthcare, education, and social services. There are 25 agencies statewide that provide intake, determine eligibility, and connect children to service providers — and ITDS-certified professionals are among the most important members of that delivery network.

The significance of Early Steps cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that:

Early intervention before age 3 can reduce the need for special education services later
Family coaching, a core ITDS competency, is more effective than child-focused-only therapy
Children who receive early intervention show measurable gains in language, motor, and social-emotional development

Additional Career Pathways After ITDS Certification

One of the most exciting aspects of earning your ITDS certification is how it positions you for continued professional growth.

Students who already hold initial teacher certification in the state of Florida can also become eligible to apply for the State of Florida Pre-Kindergarten Disabilities Teaching Certificate Endorsement (Pre-K – grade 3) by completing three courses from the list above (EEX 5015, EEX 5017, EEX 5755) and one additional course (EEX 5245). Additionally, students completing the ITDS certification can integrate these courses into a Master’s Degree Program in the Department of Special Education.

In summary, your ITDS coursework can unlock:

Florida Pre-K Disabilities Teaching Certificate Endorsement — expanding your classroom reach
Master’s Degree in Special Education — advancing into leadership, research, or higher education
ESE Master’s Concentration in Early Childhood — deepening your specialization
Independent practice as a Medicaid provider — building a sustainable private career

Common Challenges in Pursuing ITDS Certification and How to Overcome Them

The path to ITDS certification is rewarding but not without its hurdles. Here are some of the most commonly reported challenges and practical strategies for overcoming them:

Challenge 1: Meeting the Experience Requirement

Many applicants — especially recent graduates — struggle to document their one year of relevant experience. To address this, consider:

Seeking early intervention internships or volunteer opportunities
Requesting structured mentorship through organizations like All Steps Count or Independent Living Inc., which offer 25-hour shadowing programs for new providers

Challenge 2: Navigating Multiple Pathways

With three main options and sub-routes, the certification process can feel confusing. Always contact the FAU Department of Special Education or the Early Steps State Office directly to confirm which pathway applies to your background.

Challenge 3: Completing Applications Without Errors

Incomplete applications will be returned for completion, delaying the certification process. Missing documents can lead to delays or denial of your application. Use the official ITDS Certificate Checklist from Children’s Medical Services to review your packet before submission.

Challenge 4: Balancing Work and Study

Since most applicants are already working professionals, the 12-month online FAU program is a strong advantage. Prioritize courses offered in the semester that fits your schedule, and know that most courses are asynchronous.

ITDS Certification vs. Other Early Intervention Credentials: A Comparison

Credential	Who It’s For	Focus	Florida-Recognized?
ITDS Certificate	Non-licensed EI professionals	Infant/toddler development, family coaching	✅ Yes
Early Intervention Credential (EIC)	Broad EI professionals nationally	General early intervention competencies	✅ (as equivalent)
Pre-K Disabilities Endorsement	Licensed FL teachers	Classroom-based special education	✅ Yes
*SKIHI Certification**	Hearing impairment specialists	Deaf/hard of hearing intervention	✅ (as Option 2 qualifier)
INSITE Certification	Vision specialists	Blind/visually impaired infant support	✅ (as Option 2 qualifier)

Source and Citation

For official information about the ITDS certification, visit the Florida Department of Health Early Steps provider training page: https://floridaearlysteps.com/provider-training/itds/

For academic program details, visit the FAU ITDS Certificate Program page: https://www.fau.edu/education/academicdepartments/ese/non-degree/infant-toddler-developmental-specialist/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ITDS Certification

What is the ITDS certification?

The ITDS certification (Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist certification) is a state-recognized credential in Florida that qualifies professionals to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or special needs through the Early Steps program.

Who qualifies for ITDS certification?

You qualify for the ITDS certification if you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education, social work, psychology, communication sciences, child and family development, or a related field, and have at least one year of direct experience working with young children who have special needs or developmental delays.

How long does it take to complete ITDS certification?

The academic pathway through FAU takes approximately one calendar year, as the four required courses are spread across fall, spring, and summer semesters. Completing the six online DOH modules may be faster depending on your schedule and Option 2 eligibility.

Is ITDS certification available online?

Yes. The Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) certificate program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is offered completely online over the course of one year. The six DOH training modules are also available online.

How do I renew or maintain my ITDS certification?

The requirement for recertification training hours is 24 hours over a three-year period. These must be completed in relevant early intervention topics and submitted to the Early Steps State Office.

Can I use my ITDS certification to bill Medicaid?

Yes. Infant Toddler Developmental Specialists must be certified as an ITDS. This position requires enrollment as a CMS Early Steps Provider and approval as a Medicaid Provider. Once certified and enrolled, you can provide Medicaid-reimbursed early intervention services.

What is the difference between an ITDS and an Early Interventionist (EI)?

An Early Interventionist (EI) is typically a licensed professional in an allied health or educational field (e.g., a speech therapist or occupational therapist). An ITDS is a non-licensed developmental specialist whose credential is the ITDS certificate itself. Both roles work together within the Early Steps team.

Can I pursue ITDS certification outside of Florida?

The ITDS credential is specific to Florida’s Early Steps program. However, other states have equivalent credentials (such as the Early Intervention Credential), and the competencies you develop through ITDS training are broadly aligned with national early intervention standards, making the knowledge highly transferable.

Ready to Start Your ITDS Certification Journey?

The ITDS certification is more than a professional credential — it’s a commitment to changing the trajectory of a young child’s life during the years when it matters most. Whether you are just starting your career in early childhood services or are a seasoned professional looking to formalize your expertise, the ITDS certification opens doors to meaningful work, professional credibility, and Medicaid-eligible practice.

Take the next step today. Visit the Florida Early Steps ITDS Training page to review current requirements, or contact Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Special Education to learn more about enrolling in the ITDS certification program online. Your journey to becoming a certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist starts here.

This article references information from the Florida Department of Health Early Steps program (floridaearlysteps.com) and Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Special Education (fau.edu).