Your Maryland 90-Hour Certification Can Help You Work Toward a CDA - post

If you already finished your 90-hour certificate and now want your CDA credential, that is a smart next step.

The good news is this:

Your 90 hours can often get you much closer to the CDA.

This article explains how the 90-hour certificate fits into the CDA process, what you still need, and where Maryland providers can find bridge options and support.

A helpful ChildCareEd article to start with is: Using your 90-hour certification to complete your CDA

How does the 90-hour certificate connect to the CDA?

The connection is simple.

The CDA requires 120 hours of formal early childhood training, with at least 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas. The Council for Professional Recognition also requires 480 hours of work experience in the setting type you are applying for.

Many Maryland providers complete a 90-hour certificate made up of:

• 45 hours in Growth and Development
• 45 hours in Curriculum

ChildCareEd’s Maryland bridge pages explain that this 90-hour training can count toward the CDA training requirement, which means many providers usually need 30 more hours to reach the full 120 hours.

So the short answer is:

Yes, your 90-hour certificate can help a lot. But you still usually need 30 more training hours, plus your portfolio, work experience, verification visit, and CDA exam.

What do you still need after the 90-hour certificate?

After you finish the 90-hour certificate, you still need a few more steps.

Most providers need to:

• complete the last 30 training hours
• make sure they have 480 hours of recent work experience
• build a professional portfolio
• apply through the CDA Council
• complete a verification visit
• take the CDA exam

That may sound like a lot, but if you already have the 90 hours, you are already much closer than when you started.

How do you use your 90 hours to finish the CDA step by step?

Here is the easiest way to think about it.

Step 1: Gather your training records
Make sure you have your certificates or records for the two 45-hour courses that make up your 90-hour certificate. ChildCareEd’s Maryland 90-hour training article explains that this training is a required pre-service pathway in Maryland.

Step 2: Check your CDA setting type
Pick the CDA setting that matches your training and job. This could be:

• Preschool
• Infant/Toddler
• Family Child Care

This matters because your work experience and your bridge training should match your CDA type. ChildCareEd’s bridge bundles are organized by setting type for that reason.

Step 3: Complete the last 30 hours
Maryland providers with the 90-hour certificate can use a ChildCareEd bridge bundle to complete the final 30 hours needed for the CDA training requirement.

Step 4: Build your professional portfolio
The portfolio is a required part of the CDA process. It includes reflective statements, family questionnaires, professional philosophy, and other materials. ChildCareEd offers portfolio support resources to help with this step.

Step 5: Apply and schedule your visit and exam
Once your training, experience, and portfolio are ready, you apply to the CDA Council, complete the verification visit, and take the CDA exam.

What ChildCareEd bridge courses fit this path best?

Here are 3 ChildCareEd courses that fit this topic very well.

1. CDA Bridge Bundle: Preschool
This bundle is for Maryland providers who already have the 90-hour certificate and need the final 30 hours for a Preschool CDA.

2. CDA Bridge Bundle: Infant/Toddler
This bundle is for Maryland providers working toward an Infant/Toddler CDA.

3. CDA Bridge Bundle: Family Child Care
This bundle is for Maryland family child care providers who already have the 90-hour certificate and need the final 30 hours.

What ChildCareEd article should you read next?

A strong next read is: Bridging the Gap between the 90 hour and CDA Credential for Maryland providers

Can Maryland providers get help paying for the bridge?

Sometimes, yes.

ChildCareEd has published Maryland-specific information about free or grant-supported CDA pathways, including support for the bridge bundle in partnership with Maryland organizations. Because funding programs can change, providers should check the current offer details before relying on them.

A helpful article is: How to get a CDA for FREE in Maryland!

That article says the Bridge Bundle, CDA Credential, and CDA Renewal have been offered free in Maryland through partnership programs, though availability can change.

So it is smart to:

• ask your employer
• check Maryland funding pages
• look for current ChildCareEd grant updates
• apply early if funding is open

What mistakes should you avoid?

Here are some common mistakes:

Waiting too long to gather paperwork
Keep your training certificates, work verification, and portfolio items together from the start.

Choosing the wrong CDA setting type
Your CDA type should match your age group and work setting. ChildCareEd’s bridge bundles are separated by Preschool, Infant/Toddler, and Family Child Care for this reason.

Leaving the portfolio until the end
The portfolio takes time, so it is better to build it little by little.

Forgetting the experience requirement
The CDA Council requires 480 hours of work experience in the correct setting type.

Not checking current state or funding rules
Maryland programs can change, so always confirm the current details before you enroll or apply.

How long does it usually take?

That depends on what you already have.

If you already have:

• the full 90-hour certificate
• enough work experience
• a clear age-group focus

then you may be able to finish the last 30 hours, portfolio, and CDA process in just a few months.

If you still need:

• part of the training
• more work hours
• time to build your portfolio

then it may take longer.

The biggest time-savers are:

• keeping all your paperwork together
• starting the portfolio early
• choosing the right bridge bundle from the start

Quick FAQ

Do I still need 30 more hours after the 90-hour certificate?

Usually yes. The CDA requires 120 total training hours, and the Maryland 90-hour certificate is commonly used as the first 90 of those hours.

Does the CDA also require work experience?

Yes. The CDA Council requires 480 hours of professional experience in the correct setting type.

Can ChildCareEd help with the portfolio?

Yes. ChildCareEd offers portfolio help and handbook resources connected to the CDA pathway.

Is the Maryland bridge the same for every CDA type?

No. ChildCareEd has different bridge bundles for Preschool, Infant/Toddler, and Family Child Care.

What should you do next?

Here are the best next steps:

• gather your 90-hour certificates
• choose the CDA setting type that matches your job
• confirm you have, or are working toward, 480 experience hours
• pick the right 30-hour bridge bundle
• start your portfolio now, not later
• check for Maryland funding before you pay

Final takeaway

If you already have your 90-hour certificate, you are in a strong position to move toward your CDA.

For many Maryland providers, the 90 hours cover most of the training requirement. Then the next step is usually a 30-hour bridge bundle, plus your portfolio, experience hours, verification visit, and CDA exam.

That means your training is not wasted. It is already helping you move forward.