The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential stands as a significant professional milestone for individuals dedicated to nurturing young minds. Specifically designed for child care providers working with children from birth through five years old, this credential serves as a powerful testament to your expertise, skills, and commitment to fostering the holistic development of children—emotionally, physically, intellectually, and socially. Earning your CDA Credential not only elevates your capabilities and confidence in the classroom but also underscores your professionalism and dedication to career advancement within the dynamic field of early childhood education.
Administered by the esteemed Council for Professional Recognition (the Council), based in Washington DC, the CDA Credential enjoys nationwide recognition, spanning all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. This widespread acceptance highlights its value and the high standards it represents in early childhood education.
For the most current and comprehensive details about the CDA Credential, it is highly recommended to visit the official CDA website at www.cdacouncil.org. There, you will find up-to-date information, resources, and guidance to support your journey towards achieving this valuable credential.
Exploring CDA Credential Settings
The CDA Credential offers specialized tracks to align with various early childhood settings, ensuring relevance and focused training for candidates:
- Preschool: Tailored for professionals in center-based preschool settings working with children aged 3 to 5 years.
- Infant/Toddler: Designed for caregivers specializing in the care of infants and toddlers, from birth to 36 months, in diverse settings.
- Family Child Care: Ideal for educators operating in family child care homes, catering to a broad age range of children within a home environment.
- Home Visitor: Geared towards professionals who work directly with parents of young children in a home visiting context. It’s important to note that while Home Visitor settings are part of the CDA program, training and assessment fees for this specific setting are typically not eligible for Early Intervention Program (EIP) scholarships.
Comprehensive CDA Training: Building a Foundation for Success
A cornerstone of the CDA Credential process is the completion of 120 hours of formal early childhood education training. This training is meticulously structured to cover eight key CDA Competency Standards and Functional Areas, ensuring a well-rounded and in-depth understanding of early childhood development and education. Within these 120 hours, a minimum of 10 training hours must be dedicated to each of the following critical areas:
- Creating Safe and Healthy Learning Environments: Mastering the essentials of safety protocols and health practices to ensure a secure and nurturing space for children.
- Advancing Physical and Intellectual Development: Understanding and implementing strategies to promote children’s physical growth and cognitive skills through enriching activities and experiences.
- Supporting Social and Emotional Development: Developing expertise in fostering children’s emotional well-being, social skills, and positive interactions within a group setting.
- Building Productive Relationships with Families: Learning effective communication and collaboration techniques to establish strong partnerships with families and caregivers.
- Managing an Effective Program Operation: Gaining insights into the operational aspects of early childhood programs, including organization, planning, and daily management.
- Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism: Embracing ethical conduct, continuous learning, and professional growth as an early childhood educator.
- Observing and Recording Children’s Behavior: Developing skills in systematic observation and documentation to understand individual children’s needs and developmental progress.
- Understanding Principles of Child Development and Learning: Acquiring a deep understanding of child development theories and learning principles to inform effective teaching practices.
Numerous training organizations and colleges offer CDA training programs meticulously crafted to meet these specific requirements. Prospective CDA candidates are encouraged to thoroughly research available programs to identify the best fit for their learning style and career goals in obtaining their CDA Credential.
It’s also worth noting that training hours completed as part of a CDA Credential program may be applicable towards the 30 hours of annual required training for early childhood professionals in many regions. For specific questions regarding the alignment of CDA training with local regulatory training requirements, it is advisable to consult with your Licensor or Registrar at the relevant local or state agency, such as the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) in New York State. Conversely, any training undertaken to fulfill the 30-hour regulatory training requirement may also contribute to meeting the 120-hour CDA training prerequisite.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Your CDA Credential
Embarking on the journey to earn your CDA Credential involves a structured process with clear steps:
Pre-Application Requirements (Complete Anytime Before Applying):
- Create a CDA Council Account: Begin by setting up your personal account on the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org. This account will be your central hub for application and credentialing activities.
- Meet Age and Education Criteria: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED. Alternatively, high school juniors or seniors enrolled in career and technical early childhood education programs are also eligible.
- Complete 120 Hours of Formal ECE Training: Ensure you have completed and documented the mandatory 120 hours of formal early childhood education training across the specified subject areas.
Requirements Within 3 Years of Application Submission:
- Accumulate 480 Hours of Childcare Experience: Gain practical, hands-on experience by working a minimum of 480 hours with children in the specific setting and age group for the CDA credential you are pursuing. This experience is crucial for applying your training in real-world scenarios.
Requirements Within 6 Months of Application Submission:
- Develop Your CDA Professional Portfolio: Compile a comprehensive CDA Professional Portfolio that showcases your skills, knowledge, and experiences in early childhood education. This portfolio is a key component of your assessment.
- Contact a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist: Identify and connect with a certified CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist to arrange your mandatory CDA Verification Visit. This specialist will play a vital role in your assessment process.
Submitting Your Initial CDA Application and Assessment
Once you have successfully met all the prerequisite requirements – the 120 hours of CDA training, 480 hours of work experience, the completed professional portfolio, and secured a PD Specialist – you are ready to formally submit your Initial Application and Assessment through your CDA Council account online.
Upon review of your application, the Council will issue a “checkout” email, confirming the completion of your application and indicating that payment for the assessment is now due.
Leveraging the EIP Scholarship for Financial Support
After your assessment application receives approval from the Council and you receive the checkout email, you can apply for an Early Intervention Program (EIP) scholarship to help cover the costs associated with your CDA credentialing process. As part of your EIP scholarship application, you will need to submit a copy of the checkout email received from the Council, along with other required supporting documents.
If your EIP application is approved, you will receive an email outlining the details of your EIP award, which you will need to review and formally accept.* Simultaneously, the Council will send you an email containing your voucher number. Log in to your CDA Council account and use this voucher to redeem payment for your application fees.
*Important Note: While online applications are preferred for efficiency, if you are submitting a paper application to the Council, you must include a copy of your EIP award documentation with your application materials.
Ready to Schedule Notice: Proceeding to the Next Stage
Upon successful application approval and voucher redemption or payment, you will receive a Ready to Schedule Notice directly from the Council. This notice officially authorizes you to schedule both your CDA Verification Visit with your chosen PD Specialist and your CDA Exam at a convenient local Pearson VUE testing center. The results from both the Verification Visit and the CDA Exam will be directly transmitted to the Council for evaluation.
It is crucial to note that both the Verification Visit and the CDA Exam must be completed within a six-month timeframe from the date you receive the Ready to Schedule Notice. Planning and timely scheduling are essential to meet this deadline.
The Final Decision: Award or Next Steps
After the Council comprehensively reviews the results of your CDA Verification Visit and your CDA Exam score, a final determination is made regarding your CDA Credential. You will either be officially awarded the CDA Credential, recognizing your achievement, or, in some cases, the credential may be denied. If you are awarded the Credential, your official certificate will be sent to you by mail, marking the culmination of your hard work and dedication. If, unfortunately, your application is not successful at this stage, the Council will provide clear guidance on the necessary next steps you can take to ultimately earn your CDA Credential in the future.
The CDA Verification Visit: A Key Assessment Component
The CDA Verification Visit is a critical component of the credentialing process, conducted by a qualified Professional Development (PD) Specialist. It is essential to identify and select a PD Specialist prior to submitting your formal application to the Council. Once your assessment application is approved and payment is processed, the Council will issue the Ready to Schedule Notice, at which point you can schedule your Verification Visit with your chosen specialist.
During the CDA Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will engage in a thorough review of your professional portfolio, your training transcripts or certificates verifying your 120 hours of training, and family questionnaires that provide valuable insights into your interactions with families. Crucially, the PD Specialist will also directly observe you interacting with children in your care setting. Following the observation and portfolio review, you will participate in a reflective discussion with the PD Specialist. This discussion will center on your identified strengths and areas for professional growth, gleaned from the observation, portfolio, and family questionnaires.
Upon completion of the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will submit their findings and results directly to the Council for consideration in your overall assessment. To locate a qualified PD Specialist in your local area, you can utilize the online directory available on the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org.
The CDA Exam: Demonstrating Your Knowledge
The CDA Exam is another essential element of the credentialing process. You will need to schedule and take the exam at a designated Pearson VUE testing center. The exam is composed of 65 multiple-choice questions, including 60 standard questions and 5 scenario-based questions. The scenario questions present a brief narrative and an accompanying photograph, requiring you to apply your knowledge in practical contexts. Candidates are allotted a total of one hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam. Pearson VUE will directly forward your exam scores to the Council for integration into your comprehensive assessment.
To be eligible to schedule the CDA exam, candidates must have already submitted their CDA assessment application and received the Ready to Schedule Notice from the Council. Exam scheduling can be conveniently done either online through the Pearson VUE website or via telephone. To find a Pearson VUE testing center in your vicinity, please visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/cdaexam/.
CDA Credential Renewal: Maintaining Your Professional Standing
The CDA Credential is valid for a period of three years, starting from the date it is initially awarded. To maintain your credential and professional standing, you can initiate the renewal process as early as six months prior to your credential’s expiration date. Detailed information regarding the specific renewal requirements and procedures is readily available on the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org.
Significantly, EIP scholarships can also be utilized to cover the costs associated with CDA renewal, including both renewal training and the renewal application fee itself. To access EIP scholarship funds for renewal, you should apply for your EIP award after you have completed your renewal application with the Council and have received your checkout email confirmation.
EIP Scholarship Eligibility: Accessing Financial Support
EIP scholarships represent a valuable resource to help offset the expenses related to obtaining and maintaining your CDA Credential. These scholarships are applicable to CDA training costs, the Assessment application fee, and the Renewal fee. To be eligible for an EIP scholarship, you must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined earlier, with the important clarification that income level is not a determining factor for scholarship eligibility for the Assessment Application Fee or Renewal Fee. However, a minimum of 240 hours of experience working with children is required for EIP scholarship eligibility.
EIP scholarships are specifically designated for training activities that commence and conclude within the 2025 calendar year. To be considered for funding, scholarship applications must be submitted and received by December 1, 2025. It’s important to note that EIP scholarships cannot be used to cover the initial cost of the CDA application packet itself.
Scholarship amounts for trainings conducted by Verified Trainers or Content Specialists, or for asynchronous distance learning trainings, are issued at a rate of up to $30 per training hour. For trainings provided by Professional Development Specialists in Early Childhood and/or School-Age education, scholarships are issued at a higher rate, up to $35 per training hour, recognizing the specialized expertise of these professionals.
A crucial condition of the EIP scholarship for the CDA Assessment is that if a candidate does not successfully pass the assessment, they are obligated to refund the full amount of the CDA Assessment scholarship received to EIP.
The maximum annual scholarship amounts available are structured as follows:
- Up to $2,500 for credential training costs
- 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, should you pursue a credential in an additional setting
Breakdown of CDA Activities and Associated 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 Related Resources
For comprehensive information, application materials, and direct support throughout your CDA journey, please utilize the following resources:
The Council for Professional Recognition (The Council) www.cdacouncil.org Phone: 800-424-4310
- Access in-depth information about the CDA Credential program.
- Request necessary application forms and materials.
- Contact The Council directly with any questions regarding your candidacy and the credentialing process.
