How to Earn Your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in Minnesota

Are you passionate about nurturing young minds and shaping the future of #early-education? Earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a rewarding way to take your #career to the next level. In Minnesota, this nationally recognized certification is highly valued across childcare centers, Head Start programs, and family child care settings.

At cdacertification.com, we’re here to guide you every step of the way — from meeting your training hours to preparing for the final assessment. Let’s break down what it takes to earn your CDA in Minnesota and how our flexible, online courses can help.

Why the CDA Matters in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the Department of Human Services (DHS) encourages #early-childhood- #educators to hold credentials like the CDA to ensure high standards in child care settings. Whether you're working in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or a rural community, having a CDA gives you a professional edge and equips you with practical skills that align with Minnesota’s #early-learning standards.

Many child care providers seek CDA-certified #staff to meet Parent Aware and Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) benchmarks — making the credential more valuable than ever.

Minnesota CDA Requirements at a Glance

To qualify for a CDA Credential in Minnesota, you must meet the Council for Professional Recognition’s national guidelines:

• Be 18 years or older

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent

• Complete 120 hours of formal #early-childhood education training

• Accumulate 480 hours of professional experience with children (age-specific to the credential type) in the last 5 years

• Prepare a Professional Portfolio

• Pass the CDA Exam and Verification Visit

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your CDA in Minnesota

Choose Your CDA Setting

Select one of the following based on your work environment:

• Preschool

• Infant/Toddler

• Family Child Care

• Home Visitor

Enroll in a CDA Training Program

Complete 120 hours of training across eight subject areas, such as planning #safe-environments, supporting social #development, and building productive relationships with families.

✅ Start now with our affordable, fully online CDA Training Courses — designed to meet Council standards and Minnesota-specific needs.

Build Your CDA Portfolio

You’ll create:

• Professional Philosophy Statement

• Reflective Statements of Competence

• Resource Collection related to your chosen CDA setting

Our course platform offers portfolio-building support, templates, and instructor feedback to simplify the process.

Work With a PD Specialist

After submitting your CDA application, a Professional Development Specialist will schedule a Verification Visit to observe your work and assess your readiness.

Take the CDA Exam

Once your application is approved, you’ll schedule your CDA exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you — locations are available across Minnesota.

Local Resources to Support Your Journey

🌱 Minnesota T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program

T.E.A.C.H. provides scholarships to early educators pursuing their CDA, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degrees. Learn more at childcareawaremn.org.

⭐ Parent Aware Ratings

Completing your CDA helps your child care program achieve higher ratings in Parent Aware, Minnesota’s QRIS system.

🏫 Community Partnerships

Programs like Child Care Aware Minnesota, local community colleges, and Head Start agencies often collaborate with educators to support CDA training and professional #growth.

Why Choose CDACertification.com?

At cdacertification.com, we specialize in self-paced, affordable, and Council-approved CDA training. Whether you’re balancing work, family, or both, our platform makes it easier than ever to meet your CDA requirements and build a strong foundation in #early-childhood-education.

🔹 Key Features:

• 120-hour CDA training packages by setting

• Step-by-step Portfolio and Exam prep

• Free resources, webinars, and coaching options

• Flexible payment plans and instant access

👉 Browse Courses & Get Started Today

Start Your CDA Journey in Minnesota Today

There’s never been a better time to advance your #career-in-early-childhood-education. With strong state support, local scholarships, and access to flexible training through cdacertification.com, your CDA is within reach.

Take the first step toward becoming a confident, credentialed early childhood professional — enroll in a CDA course today and make a lasting difference in the lives of Minnesota’s youngest learners.