CDA Certification CDA Article
What is a CDA?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a professional certification issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It allows #early-childhood #educators to demonstrate their skills, abilities, and knowledge in child #development and education.
Candidates earn the credential by completing training, building a professional portfolio, writing competency statements, and undergoing an observation and assessment process.
Why Earn a CDA?
The CDA Credential is a recognized standard for advancing #careers in #early-childhood-education. It is designed for professionals working with children aged birth to five in various settings, such as preschools, family child care, and #home visitor programs.
Benefits of a CDA Credential:
- Demonstrates your skills and commitment to the field.
- Qualifies you for roles in early childhood education across the U.S.
- Enhances job security and career advancement opportunities.
- Many states require a CDA Credential to qualify for certain roles in early childhood education. Earning this certification ensures you meet state standards, boosting your job security and career potential.
Start Your CDA Training Today
Benefits of Online Training with ChildCareEd:
- Self-Paced Learning: Access courses anytime, anywhere.
- Portfolio Support: Resources to help you develop a professional portfolio.
- Multilingual Options: Training available in over 40 languages.
- Community Connection: Join the CDA Club- Peers & PD Specialists, our Facebook group for networking, resources, and updates.
Training Areas Offered by ChildCareEd:
The following CDA trainings include the required 120 hours of formal early childhood education training.
How to Obtain a CDA
Earning your CDA Credential involves several key steps, from preparation to earning the credential. Below is a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:
Prepare
Preparation is the foundation of your CDA journey. You’ll need to gather documentation and fulfill the prerequisites to demonstrate your qualifications.
- Proof of Education: Provide evidence of a high school diploma, GED, or higher education (e.g., college transcripts).
- Work Experience: Accumulate at least 480 hours of professional experience working with children in an eligible early childhood setting.
- Work experience should be hands-on, directly involving care and instruction for children ages birth to 5 years. Volunteer hours are accepted, but informal settings like babysitting or Sunday school programs do not qualify.
- Training Requirements: Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training to include a minimum of 10 hours in all 8 CDA Subject Areas.
Apply
After completing your preparation, you can apply for the CDA Credential.
- Purchase a CDA Competency Standards Book: Choose the book that corresponds to your desired CDA setting (e.g., Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, or Home Visitor). The book provides guidelines for building your portfolio and preparing for the assessment.
- Application Process: Submit your application to the Council for Professional Recognition. You can apply online ($425) or by paper application ($500).
- Information Needed for Application:
- Personal email address
- Worksite details
- Director’s email address (if applicable)
- A PD Specialist ID
- Portfolio Development: Begin assembling your professional portfolio. This includes:
- Documentation of your training and education
- Competency statements reflecting on your experiences and understanding of CDA standards
- Resource collection to demonstrate your ability to provide developmentally appropriate care and education
Demonstrate
This stage involves showcasing your skills and knowledge through a Verification Visit and the CDA Exam.
- Verification Visit: A Professional Development (PD) Specialist will observe you in your work environment and assess your ability to meet CDA standards. The visit typically lasts about four hours and provides a comprehensive evaluation of your abilities. The visit includes:
- Portfolio Review: The PD Specialist will review your professional portfolio to evaluate your preparation and understanding of early childhood education.
- Observation: The PD Specialist observes your teaching and interactions with children in your care to assess competency.
- Reflective Dialogue: A discussion with the PD Specialist to reflect on your teaching practices and strategies for improvement.
- CDA Exam: The CDA Exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions (60 standard questions and 5 scenario-based questions). It is designed to assess your knowledge of best practices in early childhood education, as outlined in the CDA Competency Standards and Functional Areas.
- The exam is conducted at a local Pearson VUE testing center.
- Candidates have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the test.
- No advanced computer skills are needed—basic point-and-click navigation is sufficient.
- You can schedule the exam online or by phone. Testing times and locations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Earn Your CDA
After completing the Verification Visit and CDA Exam, the Council for Professional Recognition evaluates your performance based on:
- Scores from the CDA Exam
- PD Specialist’s observation and feedback
If you meet the standards, you will be awarded the CDA Credential, valid for three years.
Types of CDA Credentials
- Center-Based Infant/Toddler
For professionals working with children from birth to 36 months in state-approved child development centers. - Center-Based Preschool
For educators working with children aged 3 to 5 years in state-approved preschool settings. - Family Child Care
For individuals providing care to children in home-based settings, working with at least two children under 5 years old who are not related to the caregiver. - Home Visitor
For professionals conducting home visits to support parents in fostering their children’s #health, development, and #school-readiness.
Renewing Your CDA
The CDA Credential must be renewed every three years to maintain your certification.
Requirements for Renewal
- Additional Training: Complete 4.5 CEUs, a 3-credit college course, or 45 clock hours of early childhood education training.
- Work Experience: Document 80 hours of recent professional experience working with children in your CDA setting.
- Professional Recommendation: Obtain a recommendation from a qualified early childhood professional who has observed your work.
- First Aid and CPR: Complete in-person or blended training in Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
- Membership: Join an early childhood education professional organization to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to the field.
Renewal Timeline
- Submit your renewal application up to 6 months before your expiration date.
- Applications must be received by the expiration date to avoid lapsing.
- If your CDA Credential expires, you will need to reapply for a new credential.
By following these steps, you can maintain your CDA Credential and continue advancing your career in early childhood education.
Renewal CDA training online
ChildCareEd’s CDA online classes are offered in the following areas. Each of the renewal CDA trainings is 45 hours.
Try ChildCareEd’s Free CDA Introduction Training
Learn more about the CDA process and how this credential can advance your career. Explore training, portfolio development, the Verification Visit, and exam preparation with ChildCareEd.
Get started today to take the next step in your early childhood education journey!
- CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Family Child Care
- CDA Bridge Bundle: Family Child Care without Portfolio Review
- CDA Family Child Care Renewal
- CDA Home Visitor Credential Birth to 5
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Brain Development and Gene Expression
- CDA Infants/Toddlers: Stages of Development
- CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA: Special Needs: Understanding the Whole Child
- How to Build a Winning Professional Portfolio for Your CDA Certification
- CDA Certification: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the CDA Certification? A Beginner’s Guide
- I completed my CDA training. Do I have a CDA Credential now?
- CDA Portfolio Checklist: A Guide for CDA Candidates
- The Impact of CDA Certification on Early Childhood Education
- CDA Certification: Benefits and Requirements for Early Childhood Educators
- ChildCareEd Makes CDA Certification Renewal Process Super Easy!
- What is a CDA Credential? Understanding the Value of the Child Development Associate Certification
- CDA Certification for Maryland Child Care Providers
- Developing Your CDA Professional Philosophy Statement
- Finding a CDA PD Specialist Near You
- Professional Growth and Continuing Education for Early Educators CDA
- Building Your CDA Professional Portfolio: Understanding the Cover Sheet
- Becoming a Child Care Teacher in Massachusetts: How the CDA Credential Can Help
- How CDA Supports Ethical Practices
- Everything You Need to Know About the CDA Exam and How to Prepare
- Why the CDA Credential Matters for Your Career
- Empowering Preschool Teachers: The Benefits of Earning Your CDA
- Home Visitor CDA Renewal Procedures
