What the CDA credential is and who needs it

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a national certificate that shows you have met standards for working with young children in early care and education settings. It is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, a nonprofit organization that sets and maintains the credential standards.

Many states require or prefer the CDA for teachers in licensed child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs. Some employers will not hire you without it, and others offer pay increases once you earn it. If you work with children under five and want to advance in early childhood education, the CDA is often the first step toward a degree or higher credential.

You do not need a college degree to pursue the CDA, though you do need documented work experience with young children and the ability to pass an assessment. The entire process typically takes three to six months, depending on how quickly you complete the requirements and schedule your exam.

Key Takeaways

  • The CDA requires 480 hours of work experience with children under five, a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of 120 clock hours of training in early childhood education topics.
  • You must gather documentation of your work history, training hours, and three letters of reference from supervisors or colleagues before you can schedule your assessment.
  • The assessment itself consists of a written exam, a portfolio review, and an in-person interview with a CDA assessor, all conducted on the same day.
  • The credential costs between $300 and $500 for the assessment fee, plus the cost of any training courses you take to meet the 120-hour requirement.
  • Your CDA is valid for three years; renewal requires proof of continued work in the field and completion of additional professional development hours.

The four requirements you must meet before assessment

Before you can take the CDA assessment, you need to complete four separate requirements. The Council for Professional Recognition publishes a checklist you can use to track your progress, and you submit proof of all four when you register for your exam.

First, you must have 480 hours of work experience with children under five in a licensed or regulated setting. This can be paid or unpaid work, but it must be documented by your employer or supervisor with dates, hours per week, and the age group you worked with. If you have worked in multiple settings, you can combine hours from different jobs.

Second, you need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. You will upload a copy when you register for the assessment.

Third, you must complete 120 clock hours of training in early childhood education. These hours must cover specific content areas set by the Council: child development and learning, building family and community relationships, observing and assessing children, teaching and learning, and professionalism. You can take college courses, online classes, workshops, or a combination. Many community colleges and online providers offer CDA-focused training bundles that cover all five areas.

Fourth, you need three letters of reference from people who have directly observed your work with children. These are usually supervisors, directors, or colleagues. The Council provides a form that your references fill out and sign; you cannot submit a generic letter.

Where to get your 120 hours of training

You have several options for completing the training hours, and you can mix and match. Many people combine a college course with online workshops to finish faster and at lower cost.

Community colleges often offer CDA preparation courses that bundle all five content areas into one or two classes. These typically cost $200 to $600 per course and run for 8 to 12 weeks. You attend in person or online, and the college documents your hours on an official transcript.

Online training providers such as Coursera, Udemy, and specialized early childhood sites offer individual courses or full CDA bundles. Costs range from $50 to $400 depending on the provider and whether you take single courses or a package. You work at your own pace and receive a certificate of completion that counts toward your 120 hours.

Workshops and conferences hosted by early childhood organizations, your state's child care licensing agency, or local resource and referral agencies also count. These are often shorter (4 to 16 hours) and cost $20 to $100 per workshop. You collect certificates from each one and add them together.

Your employer may offer or pay for training. Many child care centers provide in-house professional development that counts toward the 120 hours. Ask your director or HR department whether they track training hours and can provide documentation.

Keep copies of every certificate, transcript, or completion letter you receive. When you register for the assessment, you will upload these documents to prove you have met the 120-hour requirement.

How to register and schedule your assessment

Once you have completed all four requirements, you register through the Council for Professional Recognition's website. You will create an account, enter your work history, upload your high school diploma or GED, upload your training certificates, and submit your three reference forms.

The Council reviews your submission to confirm you meet all requirements. This review typically takes one to two weeks. If anything is missing or unclear, they will contact you and ask you to resubmit.

After approval, you can schedule your assessment. The Council contracts with assessment centers located in most states and some countries. You search for a center near you, pick a date and time that works, and pay the assessment fee, which ranges from $300 to $500 depending on your state.

Some assessment centers are located at community colleges, child care resource agencies, or professional organizations. Others are independent testing sites. The Council's website shows you all available centers and their contact information.

What happens on assessment day

Your assessment takes place in one day and consists of three parts: a written exam, a portfolio review, and an in-person interview. You will spend two to three hours total at the assessment center.

The written exam is a multiple-choice test of 65 questions covering child development, learning environments, family engagement, observation and assessment, and professionalism. You have 90 minutes to complete it. The exam is offered on computer at most centers. You need a score of at least 65 percent to pass.

The portfolio is a collection of documents you prepare before assessment day that shows your understanding of early childhood practice. It includes six competency statements (short essays about your work with children), supporting evidence such as photos, lesson plans, or observation notes, and reflections on your learning. You bring this portfolio in a folder or binder to your assessment appointment.

The in-person interview lasts 15 to 20 minutes. A CDA assessor asks you questions about your portfolio, your experience with children, and your approach to early childhood education. The assessor is looking for evidence that you understand child development and can explore it in your work. This is not a trick interview; the assessor wants you to succeed and is assessing whether you meet the standards.

You receive your results the same day or within a few days. If you pass all three parts, you are awarded the CDA credential and receive a certificate and wallet card. If you do not pass one section, you can retake that section without redoing the others.

Cost breakdown and payment options

The total cost of earning your CDA varies depending on how you complete your training hours and where you live.

The assessment fee is $300 to $500 and is paid directly to the assessment center when you schedule your exam. Some states or employers subsidize this fee; ask your director or local child care resource agency whether funds are available.

Training costs depend on your choices. A community college CDA course might cost $200 to $600. Online bundles range from $100 to $400. If you take individual workshops, you might spend $50 to $200 total. If your employer provides training, your cost is zero.

You may also need to pay for background checks and fingerprinting if your state requires them for the CDA. These typically cost $25 to $75.

In total, expect to spend $400 to $1,000 from start to finish, though many people spend less if they use free or employer-provided training and their state subsidizes the assessment fee.

Maintaining your credential after you earn it

Your CDA is valid for three years from the date you earn it. To renew, you do not retake the full assessment. Instead, you complete a renewal process that requires proof of continued work in early childhood education and completion of additional professional development hours.

For renewal, you must have worked at least 480 hours in the field during your three-year credential period. You also need to complete 24 clock hours of professional development training in the same five content areas. This training can come from workshops, college courses, conferences, or online classes, just like your initial training.

You submit your renewal documentation to the Council 90 days before your credential expires. The renewal fee is typically $150 to $200. If you do not renew before your credential expires, you will need to retake the full assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the CDA without work experience if I am currently in school?

No. You must have 480 hours of documented work experience with children under five before you can take the assessment. If you are in a child development or early childhood education program, your practicum or internship hours count toward this requirement if they are supervised and documented by your school.

What if I do not have a high school diploma?

You need a high school diploma, GED, or state-recognized equivalent. If you do not have one, you will need to earn your GED before you can register for the CDA. Many community colleges and adult education programs offer GED preparation and testing.

Can I take the CDA assessment in a language other than English?

The CDA is available in English and Spanish. If you need the Spanish version, you can request it when you register. The portfolio and interview can be conducted in Spanish with a bilingual assessor.

What if I fail one part of the assessment?

You can retake the section you did not pass without redoing the others. You pay a partial retake fee (usually $75 to $150) and schedule another appointment at an assessment center. You have up to two years from your original assessment date to complete all three parts.

Does the CDA count toward a college degree?

Some colleges award college credit for the CDA, but not all. If you plan to pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education, ask your college whether they recognize the CDA for credit before you enroll. Many programs do accept it as equivalent to one or two introductory courses.