Step 1 : Meet Teacher Qualifications — Earn Your CDA
What Minnesota Requires to Be a Licensed Center Director
Under MN Rule 9503.0031, a director must meet all four of the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Meet one of the teacher qualification options under MN Rule 9503.0032 (CDA, degree, or equivalent education + experience)
- Have at least 9 quarter credits or 90 combined hours in accredited courses in staff supervision, human relations, and child development
How ChildCareEd Supports Both Director Requirements
Requirement 3: Meet Teacher Qualifications — Earn Your CDA
The CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential is one of Minnesota's accepted teacher qualification pathways and is the most accessible route for directors who do not hold a degree. ChildCareEd provides the full 120 hours of training required to earn it.
Choose Your CDA Course
| Course | Age Group | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review | Ages 3–5 (center-based) | $399 |
| CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review | Birth–36 months (center-based) | $400 |
| Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review | Birth–5 (multi-age center) | $399 |
All courses are self-paced and fully online. The Portfolio Review versions include feedback from ChildCareEd's certified CDA PD Specialists — recommended for first-time candidates.
Requirement 4: Complete Director-Specific Training Hours
Minnesota requires directors to complete at least 9 quarter credits or 90 combined hours in staff supervision, human relations, and child development. ChildCareEd's catalog covers all three of these areas.
The Minnesota Director/Administrator 40-Hour Bundle
ChildCareEd offers a Minnesota Director/Administrator 40-Hour Bundle built specifically for directors — a curated set of Develop-approved courses covering administration, supervision, management, and leadership topics required for the director role in Minnesota.
This bundle is priced lower than purchasing courses individually and is the most efficient way to fulfill director-specific training hours.
👉 Browse the Director Bundle: childcareed.com — Director 40-Hour Bundle
Annual Training Requirements for Directors
| Staff Type | Annual Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Directors working more than 20 hrs/week | 24 hours |
| Directors working 20 hrs/week or fewer | 12 hours |
All ChildCareEd completions are automatically reported to the Develop Registry when your Develop ID is linked to your account.
