How to Earn Your CDA Credential in North Carolina

If you're passionate about working with young children and looking to grow your #career-in- #early-childhood-education, earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a vital step. In North Carolina, the CDA is recognized and respected across child care centers, #preschools, and Head Start programs, often serving as a requirement for #lead teaching roles. Whether you’re just starting out or already working in the field, cdacertification.com makes the process of earning your CDA more accessible, flexible, and affordable than ever.

What is the CDA Credential?

The CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential is a nationally recognized certification awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and commitment to providing high-quality care and education to young children. There are four CDA settings to choose from:

• Center-Based Preschool (ages 3–5)

• Center-Based Infant-Toddler (birth–3)

• Family Child Care

• Home Visitor

Why Earn a CDA in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s #early-childhood landscape is growing rapidly. With increasing focus on quality standards and #developmental outcomes, the state encourages early #educators to pursue professional development—and the CDA is a key part of that. Many child care programs in North Carolina offer salary increases, advancement opportunities, and scholarship support to educators who hold a CDA.

Additionally, earning your CDA aligns with state licensure and QRIS (Quality Rating and Improvement System) requirements, enhancing both your career and the quality of your program.

Steps to Earning Your CDA in North Carolina

Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved in earning your CDA Credential:

Complete 120 Hours of Formal Education

This includes training in eight subject areas that cover child #growth-and-development, #health-and- #safety, learning environments, and more. cdacertification.com offers a self-paced, online CDA Training Program that meets this requirement in full. Our courses are:

• Affordable and flexible

• Accessible from any device

• Designed by early childhood experts

• Aligned with Council for Professional Recognition standards

Gain 480 Hours of Professional Experience

You’ll need to document at least 480 hours of work with children in the specific CDA setting you are applying for. This hands-on experience helps you apply your learning directly in real-life situations.

Compile Your CDA Professional Portfolio

Your portfolio includes reflective statements, resource collections, and professional documentation. Our training courses at cdacertification.com guide you through building a strong portfolio step-by-step, ensuring you're fully prepared.

Apply for Your CDA and Schedule Your Verification Visit

Once your coursework and experience are complete, you’ll submit your application to the Council for Professional Recognition and schedule a verification visit with a Professional Development Specialist. This includes an observation and a reflective interview.

Pass the CDA Exam

You’ll also take the CDA Exam at a local testing center (Pearson Vue). Our training program includes CDA exam prep materials to help you feel confident and ready.

Why Choose #cdacertification.com?

At cdacertification.com, our mission is to empower #early-childhood-educators with accessible, high-quality training that fits into your life. Whether you’re working full-time, raising a family, or both, we make it easy to achieve your goals with:

• Self-paced courses so you can learn anytime, anywhere

• Group and administrator accounts for centers seeking to certify multiple #staff members

• Progress tracking and certificates for easy documentation

• Dedicated support every step of the way

Our CDA training programs are not only aligned with national standards but also tailored to meet the practical needs of educators in North Carolina and beyond.

Start Your CDA Journey Today

If you're ready to take the next step in your early childhood career, cdacertification.com is here to support you from start to finish. Explore our courses, enroll today, and start working toward your CDA Credential with confidence.

👉 Visit cdacertification.com to get started now!