CDA Renewal Courses in Oklahoma: A Clear Guide for Child Care Professionals - post

If you hold a Child Development Associate (CDA)® credential and work in Oklahoma, understanding how to renew your credential and continuing your professional education is essential. Oklahoma has specific training and professional #development requirements that help ensure child care providers offer high-quality care and stay up-to-date with best practices in #early-childhood-education.

This article explains what CDA renewal involves in Oklahoma, state requirements and pathways, online course options — including through ChildCareEd, and practical tips for success. It’s written in clear, easy-to-understand #language to help you navigate the process step by step.

What Is the CDA Credential and Why Renewal Matters

The CDA credential is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It indicates that a caregiver has met national competency standards to work with young children in #early-education settings — whether as a #lead #teacher, assistant, or family child care provider.

However, a CDA is not permanent. Typically, it must be renewed every three years to remain active. Renewal confirms that you are:

• Continuing your professional education

• Staying current with child development research

• Complying with national expectations for #early-childhood-educators

Renewing on time helps you stay eligible for many job opportunities and ensures your work reflects best practices.

Oklahoma Professional Development Requirements

Annual Training and the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL)

In Oklahoma, child care professionals — including those with a CDA — are part of the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL). This system defines #career levels based on credentials, education, and training and dictates ongoing renewal requirements. 

Here’s how renewal works in context:

• Oklahoma providers must complete annual training hours recognized by the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR). Training hours vary depending on your OPDL level:

  • Level 1: 12 clock hours per year

  • Levels 2–11: 20 clock hours per year

• Earning or holding a current CDA (among other qualifications) can place you at OPDL Level 5, which still requires annual clock hours to maintain. 

This means that while a CDA is a valuable credential in Oklahoma, you must still participate in ongoing professional development training each year to keep your OPDL status and licensing in good standing.

CDA Renewal Courses: What You Need to Know

What “Renewal” Means for CDA Holders

Nationally, renewing your CDA involves completing continuing education units (CEUs) or professional development clock hours, documenting your work experience, submitting a renewal application, and paying any fees required by the Council for Professional Recognition (not specific to Oklahoma but required for the national CDA). Many providers also use training hours earned in the state to meet both OPDL renewal and CDA renewal needs.

In Oklahoma, training approved by the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD) automatically counts toward both state renewal and professional development. 

Types of Renewal Coursework

To meet your training requirements in Oklahoma and support your CDA renewal goals, you can choose from:

• State-approved training workshops offered through the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry

• Online courses that are CECPD-approved and can fulfill required clock hours

• Specialized training, such as #health-and #safety, child development, learning environments, professionalism, and more

These courses can help you stay compliant with Oklahoma licensing requirements while deepening your knowledge of #early-childhood practice.

Online Renewal Options with ChildCareEd

ChildCareEd offers a variety of online training options that are approved in Oklahoma and can be used to earn professional development hours recognized for both OPDL renewal and CDA continuing education goals. 

📘 Training You Can Take

Here’s an example of a relevant training course you can take at ChildCareEd to support your CDA renewal and professional development needs:

👉 CDA Preschool Renewal (online) – This self-paced training provides continuing education units designed to refresh your knowledge in CDA competency areas and support renewal goals

These online courses are flexible, allowing you to complete them when it fits your schedule — a huge advantage for working professionals!

Helpful Resources for Oklahoma Providers

In addition to training courses, there are valuable tools and resources to help you track your progress and stay organized:

🧩 Resource from ChildCareEd

📘 ChildCareEd Helpful Resources – This page provides background information, guides, and tools related to child care training and professional development:

Use this resource to understand training requirements and plan your coursework more effectively.

📰 Article from ChildCareEd You Should Read

📰 ChildCareEd Courses for Child Care Providers in Oklahoma – This informative article explains the training options available for providers in Oklahoma and how these courses are accepted for state requirements

It’s a great read if you’re new to online training and want to better understand how it works within Oklahoma’s professional development system.

Steps to Renew Your CDA in Oklahoma

Below is a simple step-by-step workflow to help keep your CDA and professional status active:

1. Know Your OPDL Level

Check your current Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder level via the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR). This tells you how many clock hours you need each year. 

2. Plan Your Training

Choose training tailored to your needs — whether it’s CDA renewal coursework, #health-and-safety training, or general child care development.

💡 Online courses offer flexibility and automatic reporting to OPDR when you add your registry ID.

3. Keep Good Records

Make sure you save certificates and documentation for every training you complete. These proofs are essential for maintaining your OPDL status and submitting your CDA renewal application.

4. Submit Renewal on Time

Make sure your CDA renewal application and training transcripts are submitted before your expiration date to avoid losing your credential and having to repeat the process.

Tips to Make Renewal Easier

Here are practical tips to support your success:

• Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute to begin your training.

• Mix formats: Use a mix of online and in-person courses where possible — variety can keep learning fresh.

• Use your registry ID: When taking ChildCareEd courses, add your OPDR ID so training hours are logged automatically. 

• Stay organized: Use a simple planner or spreadsheet to track hours, completion dates, and certificate uploads.

Stay Connected for Professional Inspiration

Get updates, training tips, and community support by following ChildCareEd on social media:

👉 Instagram