Help: Earning your CDA Credential

• What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™?
• How can I earn a CDA Credential?
• How do I choose the correct CDA Credential setting?

What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™?

The CDA Credential, which is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition (the Council), is a professional development opportunity for early childhood providers who work with children ages birth to 5 years old to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

How can I earn a CDA Credential?

To earn a CDA credential, there are several required steps, including the completion of 120 training hours. You will need at least 10 clock hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas. Your annual Continued subscription includes access to 120-hour packages that fulfill the coursework required for Infant-Toddler, Preschool, and Family Child Care settings.

How do I choose the correct CDA Credential setting?

Please review the CDA Credential settings descriptions to determine which best describes your work with young children.

To get started, select the Council application setting or use the topic filter in the course library:

• CDA Credential Family Child Care
• CDA Credential Infant-Toddler
• CDA Credential Preschool

Does Continued Early Childhood Education report course completions to the Council?

You will receive a certificate of completion for each of the parts after passing that part’s exam. The certificate of completion lists all of the required elements for CDA training. You will not receive a final certificate after completing all 120 hours. Instead, you will use the 12 individual certificates from the series to verify your training when applying for a CDA Credential with the Council.

If you have any additional questions, please contact a member of our customer support team at 866-727-1617 or via the Contact Us page.

For general questions regarding the CDA Credential, please visit the Council for Professional Recognition website.