Does North Dakota require a CDA to work in a child care center?

image in article Does North Dakota require a CDA to work in a child care center? In most cases, North Dakota does not require every child care center teacher or staff member to have a CDA (Child Development Associate credential).

But here’s an important detail: a CDA can be used to meet director qualifications in North Dakota. The state lists “current certification as a child development associate” as one option for a child care center director (with required experience).

So the simple answer is:

Usually, no (not required for everyone)
Sometimes, yes (it may be needed or very helpful for certain roles—especially director)

🏫 When can a CDA matter most in North Dakota?

A CDA can be a big plus if you want to grow in your career. Some centers may also prefer it when hiring.

A CDA may matter most if you are:

Applying to be a center director
Trying to move into a lead role or show you have strong training (#ProfessionalGrowth)
Building your resume for better pay or more responsibility (#EarlyChildhoodEducation)

Even when it’s not required, many educators earn a CDA to show they know best practices for caring for young children.

📋 What does North Dakota require instead of a CDA?

North Dakota focuses a lot on training, safety, and ongoing learning for child care staff.

Here are some key training rules from North Dakota Health and Human Services: Health and Human Services North Dakota

Getting Started (15-hour basic child care course): required for providers and staff within the first 3 months of employment
Mandated reporter training: required every year
Safe sleep training: required before caring for infants and then annually
Pediatric CPR/AED + Pediatric First Aid: required within 90 days and before staff have unsupervised access to children
Ongoing annual training hours: the number of hours depends on your role and how many hours you work

Also, for center directors, North Dakota requires annual training and notes a basic child care course must be completed within a certain timeframe.

So even without a CDA, you still must complete required training to stay in compliance (#ChildCareTraining).

🧭 How can you tell what YOU need for your job?

Requirements can feel confusing, especially if English is not your first language. Here’s a simple way to check:

Ask your director or supervisor: “What training do I need for my role?”
Check your license type (center, preschool, group, etc.) because training hours can change
Keep your training certificates in a safe folder (paper or digital)
Use the ND Workforce Registry if your program tracks training there
If you are aiming to be a director, ask licensing or your program what qualifications they accept—and remember, CDA is one option

🎓 If you want a CDA in North Dakota, what does the process look like?

A CDA is a national credential, so the process is similar across states.

Most CDA candidates complete steps like:

120 hours of training (in the CDA subject areas)
480 hours of work experience with children
A professional portfolio (often uploaded digitally now)
A CDA exam
A verification visit (depending on Council rules)

If you want a simple, step-by-step guide, this ChildCareEd article is helpful:

CDA Credential Training Online Childcare Ed

📚 ChildCareEd CDA courses that can help (online + self-paced)

If you decide a CDA is a good goal, these ChildCareEd training options are directly related:

👶 Infant/Toddler (Center-Based) CDA Training
CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
🧒 Preschool (Center-Based) CDA Training
CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
👧👦 Mixed ages (Birth–5) CDA Training
Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review

These courses can support your CDA goal while also strengthening your daily teaching skills (#CDA).

🧾 One free resource to make your CDA plan easier

If you like checklists (many educators do!), this one helps you track what you still need:

✅ Updated Checklist for Earning Your CDA Credential Childcare Ed

It’s a great tool to stay organized, especially if you work full time and study at night.

📰 Helpful North Dakota “CDA” reads (extra support)

If you want North Dakota-focused tips and updates, these articles are good to bookmark:

(These are helpful for planning ahead—especially if rules or CDA steps change in 2026.) #CareerGoals

📲 Follow ChildCareEd for tips and training reminders

Want more quick tips, training info, and CDA support?
👉 Follow ChildCareEd on TikTok: @childcareed for short, helpful videos and updates. #ChildCare