The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential stands as a cornerstone in the professional growth of early childhood educators. It’s a nationally recognized credential, administered by the Council for Professional Recognition, that validates the expertise and dedication of child care providers working with children from birth to five years old. Achieving a CDA Credential is a significant step in demonstrating a professional commitment to nurturing young minds and advancing a career in early childhood education.
For the most current and detailed information about the CDA Credential, please visit the official CDA website at www.cdacouncil.org.
Exploring CDA Credential Settings
The CDA Credential caters to various early childhood settings, ensuring relevance and specialized training across different environments:
- Preschool Settings: Designed for educators in center-based programs working with children aged 3 to 5 years.
- Infant/Toddler Settings: Tailored for professionals caring for children from infancy to 36 months old.
- Family Child Care Settings: Suitable for providers who operate in a home-based setting and work with diverse age groups.
- Home Visitor Settings: Specifically for individuals who work directly with parents of young children, offering guidance and support. It’s important to note that CDA training and assessment fees for the Home Visitor setting are not eligible for EIP scholarships.
Essential CDA Training Components
Before embarking on the CDA Credential application, candidates must document 120 hours of formal early childhood education training. This training must encompass at least 10 hours in each of the eight CDA Competency Standards and Functional Areas. This structured approach ensures a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of early childhood development and education best practices.
- Creating and maintaining safe and healthy learning environments for young children.
- Implementing strategies to advance children’s physical and cognitive development.
- Fostering children’s social and emotional well-being.
- Establishing positive and collaborative relationships with families.
- Effectively managing program operations to ensure quality care.
- Committing to professional standards and continuous development in early childhood education.
- Utilizing observation and recording techniques to understand children’s behavior and needs.
- Applying fundamental principles of child development and learning in daily practice.
Many training organizations and educational institutions offer CDA training programs specifically designed to meet these rigorous requirements. Prospective CDA candidates are encouraged to thoroughly research available programs to find the best fit for their professional goals and learning preferences.
It’s also worth noting that training obtained through a CDA Credential program may contribute to the required 30 hours of regulatory training in some regions. For specific inquiries regarding the applicability of CDA training to local regulatory requirements, it is advisable to consult with the relevant licensing or registration authorities. Conversely, any training undertaken to meet the 30-hour regulatory training requirement may also be applicable towards fulfilling the 120-hour CDA training requirement.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Your CDA Credential
Earning a CDA Credential is a structured process with clear steps to guide candidates toward success.
Pre-Application Requirements (Complete before applying to the Council):
- Create a CDA Council Account: Begin by setting up an account on the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org. This account will be your central hub for the application process.
- Age and Education Verification: Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma, GED, or be enrolled in a high school career and technical program in early childhood education as a junior or senior.
- Complete 120 Hours of Formal Training: Ensure you have completed and documented 120 hours of formal early childhood education training across the specified subject areas.
Timeline-Based Requirements (Within specified timeframes of application):
- Accumulate 480 Hours of Experience (Within 3 years of application): Gain 480 hours of professional experience working directly with children in the chosen CDA setting and age group. This experience builds practical skills and reinforces theoretical knowledge.
- Develop Your CDA Professional Portfolio (Within 6 months of application): Compile your CDA Professional Portfolio, showcasing your competencies and reflecting on your professional journey.
- Secure a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist (Within 6 months of application): Identify and contact a CDA Professional Development Specialist to arrange your CDA Verification Visit. This specialist will play a crucial role in assessing your portfolio and professional practice.
Submitting Your Initial CDA Application and Assessment
Once all prerequisites are met – 120 training hours, 480 experience hours, a completed professional portfolio, and a secured PD Specialist – you are ready to submit your Initial Application and Assessment through your CDA Council account online.
Following the application review, the Council will issue a “checkout” email, confirming application completeness and indicating that payment is due. This is a pivotal step towards formal assessment.
Leveraging the EIP Scholarship for Financial Support
After receiving the checkout email from the Council, and upon application approval, candidates can apply for an EIP (presumably “Education Incentive Program”) scholarship to help cover costs. Submitting a copy of the Council’s checkout email along with your EIP scholarship application and supporting documents is essential.
Approved EIP scholarship recipients will receive an email to review and accept their award. This scholarship represents a valuable incentive, easing the financial burden associated with professional development in early childhood education, and aligns with broader initiatives encouraging individuals to complete education and training programs in care-related fields.
Simultaneously, the Council will email a voucher number. This voucher is redeemed within your CDA Council account to cover the application payment. For candidates opting for paper applications, a copy of the EIP award must be included with the application sent to the Council. Online applications are generally preferred for efficiency.
Ready to Schedule Notice and Assessment Scheduling
Upon application approval and voucher redemption or payment, the Council issues a Ready to Schedule Notice. This notice empowers candidates to schedule their CDA Verification Visit with their chosen PD Specialist and to book the CDA Exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Both the Verification Visit and the CDA Exam must be completed within six months of receiving the Ready to Schedule Notice, marking a focused period of assessment.
Final Credentialing Decision
The culmination of the CDA process involves the Council’s review of the Verification Visit results and the CDA Exam score. Based on this comprehensive evaluation, the Council will either award the CDA Credential or, in cases where standards are not met, deny the credential. Successful candidates receive their official CDA certificate by mail. For those not yet credentialed, the Council provides guidance on the necessary steps to achieve the credential in the future.
The Verification Visit: A Key Assessment Component
The CDA Verification Visit, conducted by a PD Specialist, is a crucial element of the assessment process. Identifying and securing a PD Specialist before application submission is required. Once the Ready to Schedule Notice is received, the visit can be arranged.
During the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist meticulously reviews the professional portfolio, training documentation (transcripts/certificates), and family questionnaires. Direct observation of the candidate interacting with children in their care setting is also a core component. Following the observation and portfolio review, a reflective discussion takes place, focusing on the candidate’s strengths and areas for professional growth identified during the assessment process.
The PD Specialist then submits the assessment results directly to the Council, contributing to the final credentialing decision. To locate a PD Specialist in your area, the online directory on www.cdacouncil.org is a valuable resource.
The CDA Exam: Demonstrating Knowledge
The CDA Exam is a standardized test taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. It consists of 65 multiple-choice questions, including 60 standard questions and 5 scenario-based questions that present a short narrative and a photograph. Candidates are allotted up to 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam. Pearson VUE directly transmits exam scores to the Council.
Scheduling the CDA exam requires a completed CDA assessment application and receipt of the Ready to Schedule Notice. Exam scheduling can be done online or via phone. Locate the nearest Pearson VUE testing center through http://www.pearsonvue.com/cdaexam/.
CDA Credential Renewal: Maintaining Professional Standards
The CDA Credential is valid for three years from the date of issuance. Renewal applications can be submitted as early as six months before the expiration date, ensuring continuous credentialing. Detailed information on renewal requirements and procedures is available at www.cdacouncil.org.
EIP scholarships extend to CDA renewal, covering both renewal training costs and the renewal fee. Apply for the EIP scholarship after submitting your renewal application to the Council and receiving the checkout email, mirroring the initial application process.
EIP Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
EIP scholarships are designed to make CDA training, assessment, and renewal more accessible by covering associated costs. To be eligible for an EIP scholarship, candidates must:
- Meet the general eligibility requirements as outlined earlier. Notably, income is not a determining factor for scholarship eligibility for the Assessment Application Fee or Renewal Fee, broadening access to these professional development incentives.
- Have accumulated at least 240 hours of experience working with children, demonstrating a foundational commitment to the field.
EIP scholarships are applicable to training activities that occur within the 2025 calendar year, with scholarship applications needing to be submitted by December 1, 2025. It’s important to note that EIP scholarships do not cover the cost of the initial application packet.
Scholarship amounts vary based on the training provider. Trainings with Verified Trainers or Content Specialists, or asynchronous distance learning, are funded up to $30 per training hour. Trainings with Professional Development Specialists in Early Childhood and/or School-Age are funded at a higher rate, up to $35 per training hour, recognizing specialized expertise.
A critical condition of the EIP scholarship for the CDA Assessment is that recipients who do not pass the assessment are required to refund the full scholarship amount to EIP. This condition underscores the program’s focus on successful credential completion.
Maximum annual scholarship amounts provide significant financial support:
- 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 setting fee, accommodating professionals seeking credentials in multiple settings.
Breakdown of CDA Activities and Costs
| 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.
- Direct inquiries about your CDA candidacy to The Council.
This guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of the CDA Credential and the supportive Education Incentive Program (EIP), facilitating access to professional development and recognizing the vital role of early childhood educators. By understanding the requirements, leveraging available resources like the EIP scholarship, and committing to the process, dedicated individuals can achieve CDA credential completion and significantly enhance their careers in early childhood education.
