Why do I need a CDA Credential? - post

Getting your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is valuable and opens doors to new opportunities in early childhood education. Enroll in ChildCareEd's CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 or our CDA Family Child Care Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 to complete the 120-hour training portion required by the CDA Council. Some benefits include: 

• Increased job opportunities 
• Increased pay 
• Professional recognition 
• Increased Confidence

Try ChildCareEd’s online CDA subscription for $99 a year and get access to unlimited childcare courses along with your CDA requirements. 

What do I need to apply for the CDA?

The following is a list of prerequisites to apply for the CDA:

1. Obtain a high school diploma, GED, or an official document certifying that you are a high school junior or senior currently enrolled in an early childhood education program.
2. Purchase the CDA Competency Standards from the CDA Council, either online here or by phone at 1(800)424-4310. Please make sure you buy the appropriate book--infants and toddlers, preschool, family childcare, or home visitor--that best suits your needs.
3. Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training that goes over child development in the age group you are pursuing your credential in, as well as a minimum of 10 hours each in the eight CDA subject areas.

Prepare for a career in childcare with our online CDA training courses. You'll gain the skills you need to support the development of the children in your care.

What is a CDA and what does the credential cover?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a competency-based credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It documents an educator's ability to promote healthy development and learning for a defined age group by demonstrating competency across the CDA's eight subject areas: planning a safe and healthy learning environment; steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development; positive ways to support social and emotional development; strategies that support children's learning; establishing positive relationships with families; program management; observation and assessment; and understanding principles of child growth and development. Completing a 120-hour CDA training course (the training portion) builds the knowledge base you will document in your portfolio and discuss during the verification process. For a practical overview of immediate options and possible financial support, see our article How to get a CDA for free.

How does the CDA credentialing process work?

The CDA credentialing process has four interdependent components you should plan for: (1) the formal training (usually 120 hours) that covers the eight subject areas, (2) documented work experience (commonly at least 480 hours) working in the targeted age group, (3) a Professional Portfolio containing reflective competency statements, a professional philosophy, and work samples, and (4) the Council's assessment process (exam and, where required, a Verification Visit). ChildCareEd provides training that fulfills the coursework requirement and portfolio review options, but ChildCareEd does not issue the CDA credential—the Council does. To prepare effectively, consider a focused orientation such as our course CDA Preparation: From Training to Application Buy Now $25.00, and review state or program-specific renewal and documentation rules in our article CDA Renewal Requirements. Many providers find it helpful to maintain a formal professional development plan to track required training hours and document continuing education for state registries and CDA renewal; see our Professional Development Plans for downloadable templates and tracking tools.

Which CDA pathway should I choose: Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care, or Home Visitor?

Choose the pathway that matches your primary teaching environment and the age group you work with. The Preschool CDA focuses on ages 3–5 in a center-based classroom and emphasizes curriculum and school-readiness strategies. The Infant/Toddler CDA covers birth–36 months with content on attachment, feeding, sleep, and individualized care. The Family Child Care CDA focuses on mixed-age home settings and routines common to family child care. The Home Visitor CDA addresses skills for home-based family engagement. ChildCareEd offers role-specific 120-hour credentials (for example, the CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00) and bundles for mixed-age or bridge needs. If you serve in a specific state or program type, consult articles such as How Do I Get Started Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Oklahoma? or How do Michigan child care providers earn and use a CDA credential? for local context and pathways. If you serve in Germantown specifically, see our localized guide to CDA training for Germantown providers for details on available courses and any local requirements.

How will earning a CDA affect my career and pay?

Employers commonly view the CDA as evidence of professional competence; it often improves job mobility (lead teacher roles, specialized infant/toddler positions, home visiting) and can be a factor in pay increases or step-scale advancement where programs or states use credentials in salary scales. The credential also strengthens applications for supervisory or director tracks when combined with experience and additional credits. For practical career planning, read our marketplace-focused pieces such as Bright Futures: Why CDA Certification is the Career Glow-Up You Need and state-value perspectives like How to Get an ECE Certificate in North Carolina to understand local demand and pathways.

How do state regulations affect my CDA application and recognition?

State childcare licensing and workforce-registry policies vary significantly and determine whether a CDA counts toward staff qualification levels, pay scales, or registry credit. Before relying on a CDA for licensing or compensation purposes, follow these practical steps:

1. Check your state licensing agency or workforce registry for the official acceptance rules and documentation requirements specific to your role and program type.
2. Confirm whether your state accepts online or out-of-state training, whether the CDA Council's documentation is accepted by the registry, and whether additional supervised work hours or topics are required.
3. Understand how the CDA interacts with local qualification ladders, salary-step scales, or employer-specific pay policies; acceptance often depends on program type (center, family child care, home visiting) and employee role.

For local guidance, review our state-specific guides: How do Michigan child care providers earn and use a CDA credential?, How Do I Get Started Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Oklahoma?, and How to Get an ECE Certificate in North Carolina. If you need confirmation for licensing or registry credit, contact your state licensing office or registry specialist and verify acceptance with the Council for Professional Recognition.

Summary: Is the CDA right for you?

The CDA is a recognized, competency-based credential that documents classroom skill and professional knowledge in early childhood practice. If you want documented evidence of your practice, access to role-specific openings, and a structured path to strengthen your teaching and portfolio-ready artifacts, pursuing the CDA is a strong option. Begin with a 120-hour training that aligns to your service setting (we offer preschool, infant/toddler, family child care, and home visitor pathways), complete your portfolio, confirm the Council's current application requirements, and schedule your Verification Visit when ready. For step-by-step assistance and training bundles, see our course catalog or contact our support team.

Related ChildCareEd articles: How to get a CDA for free | CDA Renewal Requirements | Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Oklahoma | Bright Futures: Why CDA Certification | How Michigan Providers Earn and Use a CDA | How to Get an ECE Certificate in North Carolina

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