CDA and Subscriptions - post

CDA and Subscriptions

Advance your career by getting your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. It's easy when you can do it online for just $99 a year. 

ChildCareEd offers full, self-paced 120-hour CDA training options such as the CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00 and the CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00, both designed to cover the eight CDA subject areas. Two of our flagship CDA courses are linked here so you can begin coursework immediately; see subscription access and details on our Subscriptions page.

ChildCareEd’s Plus Subscription package includes unlimited online training PLUS select CDA online training courses! Visit our subscriptions page to enroll today!

Many states require educators to complete a CDA in order to be considered qualified to care for children in an early childhood education setting. In these cases, earning the CDA credential is often a mandatory step in order to meet state requirements. The certification proves that you have met the qualifications required for your role and therefore gives you greater job security and better chances of promotion.

Even if your state does not require a CDA, this Credential proves to be a valuable investment for any current or prospective childcare provider. The beauty of the CDA is that it is recognized nationally. This means that you will be able to work in any state as a highly qualified early educator.

ChildCareEd knows the value of the CDA which is why we are partners with the CDA Council and offer the 120-hour CDA Credential Training in Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care, and now Home Visitor. The 120 hours of coursework are completely online so you can complete your course at your own pace. With your Plus Subscription, you are able to complete training at an amazing price! Check out ChildCareEd today.

What is the CDA and what does the Council require?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a nationally recognized credential that documents competence in early childhood practice across the CDA's eight subject areas. Earning a CDA requires more than coursework: candidates typically complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education, assemble a professional portfolio, demonstrate a minimum number of supervised work hours, and complete the Council's assessment process. For a clear, practitioner-focused orientation to the credentialing steps, see our article A Simple Guide to the CDA Credential which explains the training, portfolio, exam, and verification visit components.

How can a ChildCareEd Plus subscription help me complete the CDA?

ChildCareEd's Plus subscription includes unlimited access to eligible longer-format online trainings and select CDA courses. That structure allows many learners to complete the training portion of the CDA more affordably and at their own pace. Some subscription providers and program descriptions indicate their course catalogs are designed to meet CDA training requirements; for an example of subscription-based access used to support CDA training, see the provider FAQ included in our verified references. Always confirm acceptance of any particular course or subscription with the Council for Professional Recognition and with your state or registry before relying on it for credentialing or licensing decisions. Learn more about the subscription tiers and which CDA trainings are included on the official ChildCareEd Subscriptions page and consult the verification FAQ referenced here for implementation details (SmartHorizons FAQ).

Which ChildCareEd courses will help me complete the 120 hours?

ChildCareEd offers multiple 120-hour, self-paced CDA courses that cover all eight subject areas and provide portfolio supports. Key courses include the CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00, the CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00, the CDA Family Child Care Credential Buy Now $400.00, and the Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review. If you already hold a 90-hour certificate in a specialty area, our 30-hour Bridge Bundles (for Preschool, Infant/Toddler, or Family Child Care) complete the remaining training requirement for some state pathways; see the CDA Bridge Bundle: Preschool Buy Now $300.00$249.00 and related bundles for details and portfolio review options. These course pages explain what the training portion provides and what remains the candidate's responsibility to complete the Council's credentialing process.

How do I prepare my portfolio and apply for the CDA?

Preparing the Professional Portfolio is often the most detailed step. ChildCareEd offers explicit portfolio supports and a preparatory workshop, for example the CDA Preparation: From Training to Application Buy Now $25.00 course, which walks learners through reflective competency statements and required documentation. For practical reasons, read our practitioner articles on the value and timing of the CDA (see Why do I need a CDA Credential? and Why take CDA training with ChildCareEd? Free Resources), and consult region-specific guides such as Earning Your CDA in Florida, New York Educators: Earn your CDA, and Earning Your CDA in California: Start Today! for state-specific considerations and practical next steps.

How do Florida and New York licensing rules affect CDA acceptance?

State licensing agencies and registries determine whether a specific credential or training counts toward staff qualifications. Acceptance of the CDA (or of particular training hours toward a qualification pathway) varies by state, by license type, and sometimes by program type or staff role. For readers in Florida and New York, use the following practical steps to confirm whether a ChildCareEd course, a subscription, or the CDA credential will satisfy state requirements.

1. Contact your licensing specialist or regional office. Ask explicitly whether the Council-issued CDA or the training hours you plan to submit (online, self‑paced, or subscription-based) are accepted for your license type and role.
2. Check the state training registry or workforce registry. Confirm how many of the 120 CDA hours can be logged in the registry, what provider approvals are required, and whether online/self‑paced formats are allowed.
3. Verify provider or course approval. Some states require that courses be approved providers or appear on an approved list. Ask whether the subscription/platform is an approved training vendor for the relevant registry or licensing unit.
4. Confirm documentation requirements. Licensing agencies and the Council each require specific documentation (verification of supervised hours, employer verification, portfolio items). Ask which forms or verification letters your state accepts for the CDA pathway.
5. Document the decision in writing. Save emails or written confirmations from your licensing specialist and your registry profile so you can show how training was accepted if a verification is requested.

For practical, region-specific steps and examples, see our practitioner guides on earning a CDA in different states (including Florida and New York) and then confirm decisions with your official state licensing agency. If you rely on subscription-based access, ask both the Council for Professional Recognition and your state registry whether a subscription-sourced certificate or transcript will be accepted for credentialing or licensing documentation. These steps will reduce surprises during the Council's verification visit or when submitting documentation to your state.

Summary: What should I do next?

If you plan to pursue the CDA, start by confirming which type of CDA (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care, Home Visitor, or Birth to Five) fits your work setting. Enroll in a ChildCareEd CDA course that matches that type, review portfolio requirements, and check whether your employer, state registry, or the Council will accept subscription-based course credit. Use the Subscriptions page to evaluate whether the Plus plan contains the CDA courses you need, and consult the preparatory course for portfolio guidance. When you are ready, compile your portfolio, confirm work-hour documentation, and submit your application through the Council for Professional Recognition.

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