Baltimore City Providers, the CDA 2023 Webinar Series is here to help. - post

CDA Webinar Series

CDA Exam Special Accommodations

These webinars explain how the CDA Council handles exam accommodations, language-assessment options, and candidate supports. If you are preparing for the CDA, ChildCareEd offers fully online 120‑hour training that fulfills the Council's coursework requirement — for example, our CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 and CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00. Below are concise, actionable answers to common questions about accommodations, language assessments, and preparing your training and portfolio.

Register now to be a part of this informational webinar!

Attend to ask about language-specific assessors, documentation expectations, timelines, and practical steps to submit accommodation requests and portfolio materials.

Check the registration links below for current webinar dates and language options; the registration pages list the latest schedule and times.

• English 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT) Register Here
• Spanish 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT) Register Here

Applying for an Assessment in Another Language (available in English only)

The Council values diversity and supports applicants who work in a language other than English. The webinar explains how to apply for assessment in another language, describes the CDA exam process, and outlines what to expect during the verification visit.

Register now to be a part of this informational webinar!

See the registration link below for the most current date and language availability.

• English Only 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT) Register Now

How can I prepare my CDA training, portfolio, and request supports?

If you still need the Council's required 120 hours, ChildCareEd offers full, self-paced CDA training across settings. In addition to the CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 and the CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 linked above, we recommend our focused orientation CDA Preparation: From Training to Application Buy Now $25.00, which explains the portfolio, verification visit, and renewal pathways.

Practical next steps you can take right now:

Contact your employer or local training partner early to confirm whether they will help gather documentation. Request a mock verification review from a PD Specialist to check portfolio alignment with the Council's competency standards. Keep digital copies of all accommodation approvals and correspondence to present at your verification visit.

1. Confirm the Council's documentation requirements for accommodations or for assessment in another language. Bring any questions to the webinar Q&A.
2. Complete the coursework that fits your setting and age range (see our Family Child Care Buy Now $400.00$300.00 option if you operate a home program).
3. Assemble your Professional Portfolio and use our PD Specialist supports for review; the CDA Preparation Buy Now $25.00 session focuses on portfolio strategy.
4. Review exam format and common question types in the Council's materials and in our article What Questions Are on the Birth to Five CDA Exam?.
5. Get familiar with timing expectations in our article How Long Is the CDA Exam? and read the Council's guidance if you are requesting extended time.

For Baltimore and Maryland providers, consult the Maryland Office of Child Care licensing guidance and contact your licensing specialist to confirm how state rules apply to CDA coursework and verification. See our Your CDA Roadmap in Maryland article for state-specific steps and supports. If you prefer to start in Spanish, see CDA Certification in Spanish: How to Get Started. For a general overview of steps and credentialing, read How do I earn a CDA Credential as an Early Childhood Educator?, and for Family Child Care specifics see What is the Family Child Care CDA and how do I earn it?.

What accommodations does the CDA Council commonly approve and how do I request them?

The Council offers formal accommodations to ensure assessments measure candidates' competencies rather than unrelated barriers. Common accommodations include extended testing time, a separate quiet testing room, a reader or scribe, and extended time or alternate formats for verification activities. Medical or disability documentation is typically required to substantiate the need and to specify functional limitations and recommended supports. To request accommodations you should:

• Document the impact: obtain a statement from a qualified professional (medical, psychological, or educational) that describes how a condition affects testing or communication.
• Follow the Council's process: submit the documentation with your application or accommodation request form and complete any questionnaires the Council requires.
• Be specific about the accommodation: identify precisely what you need (for example, 50% additional time, a reader for test items only, or time breaks) so the Council can make a clear decision and implement appropriate arrangements.
• Coordinate with supports: if you are using a PD Specialist or employer support, notify them early so they can help prepare the portfolio and schedule verification visits with accommodation needs in mind.

Practical tips: prepare documentation ahead of enrollment, attach any Council-specific forms to your submission, and bring copies of approval notices to testing and the verification visit. If your accommodation is time-limited (for example, a temporary medical condition), state the expected duration and provide an updated plan for follow-up documentation if needed.

How does the CDA language assessment option work and how should I prepare?

The CDA language assessment option supports candidates who demonstrate competence in a language other than English. The Council explains the application steps and the verification process in their materials. Candidates may be assessed by bilingual assessors or with approved interpretation supports depending on the language and available resources. To prepare efficiently:

• Confirm language availability: ask the Council or check the webinar materials whether your target language is offered and whether assessments will use bilingual verifiers or interpreters.
• Match your portfolio language: assemble documentation, lesson plans, and family communication examples in the language you will use for assessment; where translations are required, follow Council guidance for certified translations.
• Practice domain demonstrations in that language: rehearse family interactions, child observations, and reflective statements in the assessment language so your professional language use is fluent and specific to early childhood contexts.
• Use targeted training: the ChildCareEd CDA Preparation sessions and the Spanish-language resources linked above can help you translate classroom examples into assessment-ready portfolio entries.

If you expect to request a language-based accommodation, begin the conversation with the Council early, bring documentation of bilingual competency if available, and use the webinar Q&A to clarify how verification visits are scheduled for bilingual assessors. Preparing your portfolio examples in the language of assessment reduces translation delays and improves the accuracy of competency demonstrations.

Summary: What should I do next?

To prepare efficiently, review the Council's accommodation and assessment policies, complete the ChildCareEd training that matches your teaching setting, and request a PD Specialist portfolio review. Bring copies of any documentation and raise specific questions during the webinar or with the Council contact shown on the registration page.

Topics: #CDA #accommodations #inclusion #training #portfolio