For professionals dedicated to nurturing young minds, the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential stands as a significant milestone. This nationally recognized credential validates your expertise and commitment to fostering the holistic development of children from birth to five years old. Just as specialized training programs and incentive schemes, such as those potentially utilizing an Aged Care Education And Training Incentive Program Completion Form in other sectors, recognize and reward professional development, the CDA Credential serves a similar purpose within early childhood education. It signifies a dedication to excellence and a proven ability to support children’s emotional, physical, intellectual, and social growth.
Awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington DC, the CDA Credential holds recognition across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various US territories. It’s a portable credential that underscores your professionalism and drive for career advancement in the crucial field of early childhood education.
For the most current and detailed information about the CDA Credential, always refer to the official CDA website at www.cdacouncil.org.
Understanding CDA Credential Settings
The CDA Credential offers pathways tailored to different early childhood settings, ensuring relevance and focused expertise:
- Preschool: Designed for educators working in center-based preschools with children aged 3 to 5 years.
- Infant/Toddler: Specifically for professionals caring for children from birth to 36 months in various settings.
- Family Child Care: Caters to providers who work with mixed age groups, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, in a home-based child care environment.
- Home Visitor: For professionals who focus on supporting parents in nurturing their young children within a home visiting context. It is important to note that CDA training and assessment fees for the Home Visitor setting may not be eligible for all scholarship programs.
Essential CDA Training Requirements
A foundational element of obtaining the CDA Credential is the completion of 120 hours of formal early childhood education training. This training must be meticulously documented and cover each of the eight CDA Competency Standards and Functional Areas, with a minimum of 10 hours dedicated to each:
- Creating Safe and Healthy Learning Environments: Ensuring spaces that prioritize child safety and well-being while promoting healthy practices.
- Advancing Physical and Intellectual Development: Implementing strategies to encourage children’s motor skills, cognitive abilities, and intellectual curiosity.
- Supporting Social and Emotional Development: Fostering children’s self-esteem, emotional literacy, and positive social interactions.
- Building Productive Relationships with Families: Establishing open communication and collaborative partnerships with parents and families.
- Managing Effective Program Operations: Understanding and applying principles of effective program management and organization.
- Maintaining Professional Commitment: Adhering to ethical standards, engaging in continuous professional development, and advocating for the early childhood profession.
- Observing and Recording Children’s Behavior: Developing skills in observation and documentation to understand individual children’s needs and progress.
- Understanding Child Development and Learning Principles: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of child development theories and effective learning approaches.
Numerous training organizations and colleges offer CDA training programs specifically structured to meet these requirements. Prospective CDA candidates are encouraged to thoroughly research available programs to identify the best fit for their individual learning needs and career goals.
It’s also worth noting that training obtained as part of a CDA Credential program may be applicable towards state-mandated training hours for childcare professionals. For specific questions regarding the alignment of CDA training with regulatory requirements, it is advisable to consult with your local licensing or registration authorities. Conversely, regulatory training hours you’ve already completed may also contribute to fulfilling the 120-hour CDA training requirement.
Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Your CDA Credential
Navigating the CDA credentialing process involves several key steps and requirements:
Pre-Application Requirements (To be completed before submitting your Initial CDA Application):
- Create a CDA Council Account: Register an account on the CDA Council website: www.cdacouncil.org. This will be your central hub for application and credential management.
- Meet Age and Education Criteria: Be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED. Alternatively, high school juniors or seniors enrolled in early childhood education career and technical programs are also eligible.
- Complete 120 Hours of Formal Training: Ensure you have completed and documented the required 120 hours of early childhood education training across the specified competency areas.
Requirements to be Completed Within 3 Years of Application Submission:
- Accumulate 480 Hours of Experience: Gain 480 hours of practical experience working directly with children in the specific age group and setting for the CDA credential you are pursuing.
Requirements to be Completed Within 6 Months of Application Submission:
- Develop Your CDA Professional Portfolio: Compile your CDA Professional Portfolio, showcasing your skills, knowledge, and experiences in early childhood education.
- Identify and Contact a CDA PD Specialist: Connect with a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist to schedule your CDA Verification Visit.
Submitting Your Initial CDA Application and Assessment
Once all prerequisite steps are completed – training hours, work experience, professional portfolio development, and PD Specialist contact – you are ready to submit your Initial Application and Assessment through your CDA Council account online.
After the Council reviews your application for completeness, you will receive a “checkout” email confirming your application is ready for payment.
Exploring Scholarship Opportunities: The EIP Scholarship
Following application approval and receipt of the “checkout” email from the Council, you can explore scholarship opportunities like the EIP (presumably Early Intervention Program, though this might need clarification based on context if more information is available about “EIP”). Submit a copy of the Council’s checkout email along with your scholarship application and supporting documentation.
Upon EIP scholarship approval, you will receive an email detailing your award for review and acceptance.
Simultaneously, the Council will email you a voucher number. Log in to your CDA Council account and use this voucher to cover your application payment.
Note: If you are submitting a paper application to the Council (online applications are preferred), you must include a copy of your EIP award documentation with your application.
Receiving Your Ready to Schedule Notice
After your application is fully approved and payment is processed (either via voucher redemption or direct payment), the Council will issue a “Ready to Schedule Notice.” This notice empowers you to schedule your CDA Verification Visit with your chosen PD Specialist and to book your CDA Exam at a convenient Pearson VUE testing center.
Crucially, both the Verification Visit and the CDA Exam must be completed within six months of the date of your “Ready to Schedule Notice.”
The Final Credentialing Decision
The Council undertakes a comprehensive review of your CDA Verification Visit results and CDA Exam scores. Based on this evaluation, you will either be awarded the CDA Credential or, in some cases, be denied. Successful candidates will receive their official CDA certificate by mail. If denied, the Council will provide guidance on the necessary steps to take to achieve the credential in the future.
The CDA Verification Visit: A Key Assessment Component
The CDA Verification Visit, conducted by a certified PD Specialist, is a vital part of the assessment process. It’s essential to identify and contact a PD Specialist before submitting your application. Once you receive your “Ready to Schedule Notice,” you can arrange the visit.
During the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will thoroughly review your professional portfolio, training documentation, and family questionnaires. They will also observe you interacting with children in your work setting. Following the observation and portfolio review, you will engage in a reflective discussion focusing on your strengths and areas for growth identified during the assessment process.
The PD Specialist will then submit their findings directly to the Council. To locate a PD Specialist in your area, utilize the online directory available at www.cdacouncil.org.
The CDA Exam: Demonstrating Your Knowledge
The CDA Exam, administered at Pearson VUE testing centers, is another critical component of the credentialing process. The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions, including 60 standard questions and 5 scenario-based questions that present a short narrative and a related photograph. Candidates are allotted up to 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam. Pearson VUE transmits your exam scores directly to the Council.
To be eligible to schedule the exam, candidates must have submitted their CDA assessment application and received the “Ready to Schedule Notice.” Exam scheduling can be done online or via phone. Find a Pearson VUE testing center near you at http://www.pearsonvue.com/cdaexam/.
CDA Credential Renewal: Maintaining Your Professional Standing
The CDA Credential is valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance. Renewal applications can be submitted as early as six months before the credential’s expiration date. Detailed information regarding renewal requirements and procedures is available on the CDA Council website: www.cdacouncil.org.
Scholarship programs like EIP may also extend to CDA renewal, potentially covering the costs of renewal training and the renewal fee itself. Renewal scholarship applications are typically submitted after completing the renewal application with the Council and receiving the checkout email.
EIP Scholarship Eligibility: Financial Support for Your CDA Journey
EIP scholarships can provide valuable financial assistance for CDA training, assessment application fees, and renewal fees. To be eligible for an EIP scholarship, candidates must:
- Meet the general eligibility criteria outlined previously (age, education, etc.). Importantly, income is generally not a factor in determining scholarship eligibility for the Assessment Application Fee or Renewal Fee.
- Have accumulated a minimum of 240 hours of experience working with children.
EIP scholarships are typically designated for training activities occurring within a specific calendar year (e.g., trainings starting and ending in 2025). Scholarship application deadlines also apply (e.g., applications received by December 1, 2025, to be considered for that year).
It’s important to note that EIP scholarships usually do not cover the cost of the initial CDA application packet itself.
Scholarship amounts for trainings may vary based on the type of training provider. Trainings with Verified Trainers, Content Specialists, or asynchronous distance learning may be funded at a rate of up to $30 per training hour. Trainings with Professional Development Specialists in Early Childhood and/or School-Age may be funded at a higher rate, potentially up to $35 per training hour.
In some cases, scholarship agreements may stipulate that if a candidate does not successfully pass the CDA assessment, they may be required to refund the scholarship funds received for the CDA Assessment.
Maximum annual scholarship amounts can include:
- Up to $2,500 for credential training
- Up to $500 for the CDA assessment fee
- Up to $150 for the CDA renewal fee
- Up to $500 for a second CDA setting fee (if applicable)
Understanding CDA Costs and EIP Funding Eligibility
| Activity | Cost | Eligible for EIP funding? |
|---|---|---|
| CDA Preparatory Training | Varies depending on organization | Yes |
| CDA textbook and training materials | Varies depending on item | No |
| CDA Initial Application Packet | $25 per setting plus shipping and handling | No |
| CDA Formal Observation | Paid by the CDA Council to the PD Specialist | No |
| CDA Assessment Application Fee | $425 online application / $500 paper application | Yes |
| CDA Renewal Application Packet | $15 | No |
| CDA Second Setting Fee | $425 online application / $500 paper application | Yes |
| CDA Renewal Fee | $125 online renewal / $150 paper renewal | Yes |
Essential CDA Resources
The Council for Professional Recognition (The Council) www.cdacouncil.org 800-424-4310
- Explore comprehensive information about the CDA Credential.
- Request necessary application forms and materials.
- Contact The Council directly with candidacy inquiries.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the CDA Credential. By pursuing this credential, early childhood professionals demonstrate their dedication to quality care and continuous growth in this vital field.
