Crack the CDA Code!

Training for Child Care Providers

CDA Certification

If you're passionate about #early-childhood education, earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is one of the most impactful steps you can take in your #career. The CDA not only demonstrates your commitment to high-quality child care—it also opens doors to greater job opportunities, higher pay, and enhanced skills.

Whether you're just beginning or already working in the field, here’s what you can expect throughout the CDA process—and how cdacertification.com can support you every step of the way.

Understanding the CDA Credential

The CDA Credential is nationally recognized and administered by the Council for Professional Recognition. It’s designed for #early-childhood- #educators working with children from birth to age 5 in settings like:

Center-based infant/ #toddler or #preschool programs
Family child care
Home visitor programs

It validates your ability to meet the competency standards in areas like child #development, #safety, communication, and professionalism.

Choosing the Right Setting and Pathway

Before applying, you must decide on your CDA setting (e.g., preschool, infant/toddler, family child care) and complete the corresponding training.

👉 At cdacertification.com, we offer setting-specific CDA training that meets the Council’s 120-hour requirement. Some of our most popular courses include:

These self-paced, online courses are perfect for working professionals looking to earn their CDA on their schedule.

Meeting the Core Requirements

To apply for your CDA, you’ll need to:

Complete 120 hours of formal education in eight subject areas.
Accumulate 480 hours of professional work experience with children.
Compile a Professional Portfolio with reflective statements and resource materials.
Obtain family questionnaires for feedback.
Be observed by a PD (Professional Development) Specialist during a verification visit.

cdacertification.com can help simplify these steps with comprehensive training that includes portfolio-building guides, checklists, and sample templates.

Preparing for the CDA Exam and Verification Visit

The final steps include a CDA Exam at a Pearson VUE testing center and an in-person verification visit by a Council-appointed PD Specialist. During this visit, you’ll be observed working with children and participate in a reflective dialogue.

Our CDA Exam Prep Course is tailored to help you feel confident and well-prepared, with practice questions, study tips, and domain reviews.

Submitting Your Application

Once you’ve met all the requirements, you’ll submit your CDA application to the Council for Professional Recognition, either online or by mail. The process includes:

Creating a YourCDA account.
Uploading documentation.
Paying the application fee (which may be covered by a scholarship or employer).

Not sure where to begin? Our CDA Application Support Guide walks you through each part of the application process.

Earning and Maintaining Your CDA

Once awarded, your CDA credential is valid for three years. To renew it, you’ll need to complete 45 hours of continuing education and meet specific renewal criteria.

💡 Check out our CDA Renewal Training course to stay certified and current in your field.

Why Choose #cdacertification.com?

At cdacertification.com, we’re committed to helping #early-childhood-educators succeed. Here's what sets us apart:

Visit cdacertification.com to explore all our CDA training options and start building a brighter future in #early-childhood-education today.

Ready to take the next step? Let’s get your CDA journey started—together.