CDA Credential Training Online
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential® is the most recognized early childhood credential in the U.S. Earning a CDA shows that you’re prepared to support children’s development using safe, positive, and effective teaching practices.
ChildCareEd makes it easy to complete your 120 hours of required CDA training, prepare your digital Professional Portfolio, and feel ready for the CDA Exam and (if required) your Verification Visit.
How to Earn Your CDA Credential (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Choose Your CDA Setting
Pick the credential that matches your job and the age group you work with:
- Preschool (Center-Based)
- Infant-Toddler (Center-Based)
- Family Child Care
- Home Visitor
- Birth-to-Five (Center-Based) — for educators who work across multiple age groups in centers.
Step 2: Complete 120 Hours of CDA Training
You need 120 clock hours of formal early childhood education training aligned with the 8 CDA Subject Areas for your setting.
ChildCareEd training is:
- Online & self-paced
- Mobile-friendly
- Includes instant certificates you can use in your CDA application
Step 3: Gain 480 Hours of Experience
Before applying, you must complete 480 hours of professional experience in your chosen setting within the past 3 years.
Step 4: Build Your CDA Professional Portfolio (Digital Upload)
Your Professional Portfolio shows how you apply best practices in real early childhood settings. You’ll prepare items such as:
- Proof of education/training
- Family questionnaires
- Resource collection
- Reflective Competency Statements
- Professional Philosophy
Important update: The Council now requires digital portfolio submission. Instead of a paper binder, you upload portfolio documents online during your CDA application (scanned or photographed). The Council’s My CDA® E-Portfolio tool can help you organize items as you go.
Want expert feedback before you submit? ChildCareEd offers a training + portfolio review option that includes professional support from certified CDA PD Specialists (details below).
Portfolio Checklist + Templates
Step 5: Apply Online
Submit your CDA application and fee through the Council’s online system.
After your application is accepted, you’ll receive a “Ready to Schedule” notice and a 6-month window to complete your assessment steps.
Step 6: Take the CDA Exam (Exam Comes First)
Once you receive your Ready to Schedule notice, schedule your exam through Pearson VUE:
- Computer-based exam
- 65 multiple-choice questions
- 1 hour 45 minutes of test time
- Overall appointment is about 2 hours including check-in
Important update: The Council now follows an exam-first sequence — you must complete the CDA Exam before a Verification Visit can be scheduled.
Step 7: Verification Visit (If Required)
After your exam score is received, the Council determines whether you need a Verification Visit.
If required, a PD Specialist will:
- Review your Professional Portfolio
- Observe you working with children
- Conduct a reflective conversation about your teaching practice
Important update: Some candidates may not need a Verification Visit. Under the Council’s enhanced decision process, a visit can be waived if exam results (and application evidence) already demonstrate competence.
Step 8: Council Credentialing Decision
The Council reviews your:
- Training
- Experience
- Portfolio
- Exam result
- Verification Visit results (if applicable)
Then issues your credentialing decision.
CDA Training Options at ChildCareEd
Complete Online CDA Training (120 Hours)
Finish all required hours in one bundle for your setting:
CDA Training With Portfolio Review
Want extra support before you apply? Choose a ChildCareEd CDA Training with Portfolio Review course.
Portfolio Review (required to complete this course):
After finishing the training portion, you must upload your Professional Portfolio documents as PDF files only for review by our certified CDA PD Specialists. Required documents include:
- Reflective Competency Statements for CS I–CS VI
- Professional Philosophy Statement
Our specialists will approve your documents or provide feedback for revisions and resubmission. Your ChildCareEd CDA training certificate is issued only after all coursework is complete and all required portfolio documents are reviewed and accepted.
Individual CDA Subject-Area Courses
Already have some hours? Build your plan course-by-course.
Why Choose ChildCareEd?
CDA FAQs
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No. The Council now uses digital portfolio submission. You upload your materials online with your CDA application.
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Choose ChildCareEd CDA Training with Portfolio Review. After training, you’ll upload your portfolio documents as PDF files, including Reflective Competency Statements CS I–CS VI and your Professional Philosophy Statement, for review by certified CDA PD Specialists. Your training certificate is issued after coursework is complete and documents are accepted.
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Yes. The current Council process is exam first. Your exam must be completed before a Verification Visit can be scheduled.
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Not always. The Council may waive the visit for candidates who demonstrate competence through exam performance and application evidence.
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After you get your “Ready to Schedule” notice, you have 6 months to complete the exam and (if required) the Verification Visit.
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The CDA Exam includes 65 multiple-choice questions with 1 hour 45 minutes of test time.
What Educators Say About Our CDA Trainings
"The courses were very educational, informative, and challenging. Through the learning activities, I had a positive learning experience. I would highly recommend these courses to anyone who is in early childhood development or who are interested in working with children." -Odelia
"I really enjoyed this program, I have learned a lot and will be recommending this program to others." -Dianna
"This was a very knowledgeable course, i loved that it was self pace." -Erica
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