CDA Renewal Courses in Pennsylvania: Everything You Need to Know

If you hold a Child Development Associate (CDA)® credential and work in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to renew that credential periodically to stay current and compliant as an #early-childhood-education professional. This guide explains what CDA renewal is, why it matters, and how you can complete your renewal coursework — especially through online options like ChildCareEd, which offers flexible training relevant to Pennsylvania providers.

Whether you’re new to the process or renewing for the first time, this article covers requirements, course options, tips, and useful links in clear, easy-to-understand #language.

What Is CDA Renewal?

The CDA credential is a nationally recognized certification awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It shows you have the training and skills to effectively work with young children in #early-childhood settings. However, this credential doesn’t last forever — it’s valid for three years and must be renewed before it expires to keep it active.

Why renewal matters:

Keeps your credential active and recognized
Shows ongoing commitment to professional #growth
Helps you stay updated on best practices in early childhood education
May impact job opportunities and #career advancement

According to national guidelines, you can apply up to six months before your CDA expires and must renew before the expiration date to avoid having to reapply from scratch.

CDA Renewal Requirements (General)

To renew your CDA, you typically need to provide:

Completed professional #development (usually 4.5 CEUs or 45 clock hours).
Proof of work experience (most often at least 80 hours working with children in the CDA setting).
A letter of recommendation from a qualified early childhood professional.
Membership in a national or local early childhood organization.
Documentation of recent academic or training activity.

Different settings (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care) may have specific pathways for renewal coursework.

CDA Renewal in Pennsylvania: What Providers Should Know

When renewing your CDA as a provider in Pennsylvania, you’ll want to be aware of both state requirements and online course options that meet those standards.

Pennsylvania Training Requirements

In Pennsylvania:

Childcare professionals are expected to complete ongoing annual training, usually a minimum of 12 clock hours every year for licensed caregivers.
Pennsylvania’s training system (the PA Key Professional Development Registry) tracks and records training once you complete it with an approved provider.
You must register your PA Key PD Registry ID with your training provider so completed courses are automatically reported to the registry.

This means that the right online courses — such as CDA renewal coursework — can help you meet both CDA and Pennsylvania professional development expectations.

Online CDA Renewal Courses You Can Take

Online training offers a flexible and convenient way to complete your CDA renewal hours. Here are examples of courses available:

📘 CDA Renewal Training

👉 You can enroll in renewal programs such as:

CDA Family Child Care Renewal — designed for family childcare providers.
CDA Preschool Renewal — tailored to those with a #preschool CDA.
Infant/Toddler Renewal — ideal for infant and #toddler care professionals. (Typically available through the same portal.)

These courses usually offer 4.5 CEUs and cover essential competency areas required for renewal.

👉 Training link to explore and enroll:
➡️ ChildCareEd Pennsylvania courses

Helpful Resources for CDA Renewal

Beyond the actual courses, there are resources and guides to help you understand and organize your CDA renewal journey:

📘 Resource & Support

✔️ ChildCareEd Career Resources & Support – comprehensive tools, tips, checklists, and frequently updated resources to plan your training and renewal pathway:
➡️ FAQS

📰 Helpful Article

✔️ Featured article from ChildCareEd – this covers broader topics around training and #careers, including Pennsylvania early childhood education pathways:
➡️ 🌟Teaching Tiny Learners: How to Become a Pennsylvania Early Childhood Educator

Tips for a Smooth CDA Renewal

Here are practical steps and tips to help your renewal process go smoothly:

📝 Plan Ahead

Start your renewal coursework months before your credential expires. Some training takes time, and you’ll want to gather all documentation well before submitting your application.

📌 Track Your Hours

Keep a record of your completed CEUs, work hours, and professional development activities. This ensures you have everything you need when submitting your renewal.

🧑‍💼 Choose a Verifier

A qualified early childhood education professional (like a director or coordinator) can serve as your verifier for documents and may write your recommendation letter.

📍Use the PA Key PD Registry

Make sure your PA Key Registry ID is added to your training profile so that hours are automatically uploaded — this saves time and ensures your Pennsylvania training requirements are accurately recorded.

How CDA Renewal Helps Your Career

Renewing your CDA isn’t just about compliance. It supports your professional growth:

Updated skills: You’ll #learn new research-based practices in early childhood education.
Stronger confidence: Additional training deepens your knowledge and comfort in caregiving and teaching roles.
Career advancement: An active CDA can improve job opportunities and help you pursue leadership roles.

In a competitive job market, staying current with your CDA shows commitment to your #craft and to the children you serve.

Follow and Stay Connected

Keep up with community updates, tips, and training announcements from early childhood education networks like:

👉 Instagram