Last updated 2026-07-09
TL;DR
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a national early childhood certification from the Council for Professional Recognition. It requires 120 hours of training, 480 hours of experience with children, and a $425 application fee. Most candidates finish in 6 to 12 months. Many states accept it for lead teacher licensing, and state QRIS systems often reward it with higher subsidy reimbursement.
What is a CDA credential, exactly?
The Child Development Associate credential, almost always called the CDA, is the most widely recognized entry-level certification in early childhood education in the United States. The Council for Professional Recognition has run it since 1975. More than 500,000 CDAs have been awarded across all 50 states [1].
It is not a degree. It is not a license. Think of it as a national competency certificate that proves two things: you know how to work safely and well with young children, and a trained outside observer has watched you do it in person.
The credential covers eight areas the Council calls Competency Standards. They run from safe and healthy learning environments to physical and intellectual competence, social and emotional development, positive relationships with families, program management, and professional development. Those eight standards organize everything from the training you log to what the Specialist looks for during your visit.
Six credential types exist depending on the age group and setting you work in: Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, Home Visitor, Adult Education, and Early Childhood Education Specialist. Preschool is by far the most common. Most people asking "what is a CDA credential" are picturing the Preschool or Infant/Toddler track, so that is what this article focuses on, with notes where the Family Child Care track differs.
Who actually needs a CDA credential?
The answer depends on your state, your role, and whether you want access to subsidy funding. This is where licensing rules and professional development meet.
At least 38 states reference the CDA in their child care licensing regulations, either as a minimum qualification for lead teachers or as one pathway to meet a requirement [2]. Some states, like Maryland and Virginia, accept the CDA as meeting the educational requirement for a lead teacher or director position outright. Others, like Texas, list it as one of several qualifying credentials for certain staff roles. A few states still do not mention it in statute at all.
The federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) adds another layer. CCDF rules require states to run a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) or a similar tiered reimbursement structure, and nearly every state QRIS awards points, higher star ratings, or bonus reimbursement to programs where staff hold the CDA [3]. If you accept childcare subsidies (which flow through CCDF dollars), this hits your bottom line directly. Some states pay subsidy reimbursement rates that run 10 to 20 percent higher at upper QRIS tiers where staff credentials like the CDA are required.
For home-based providers, the Family Child Care CDA is sometimes the highest credential you can realistically reach without shutting your program to attend college. Some state QRIS systems recognize it at the same tier as an associate's degree.
If you are opening a daycare center and mapping out what your lead staff need on day one, call your state licensing office first. The CDA may be required, may be one acceptable option, or may fall short if your state mandates a two-year degree for lead teachers.
What are the real requirements to earn a CDA credential?
The Council sets four requirements, and you have to meet all of them before you apply [1].
120 hours of formal early childhood education training. These must cover all eight Competency Standard areas. At least 10 hours must address each of these subjects: child development, curriculum, health and safety, and family engagement. The training can come from community college courses, online providers, workshops, or employer-sponsored sessions, as long as it is documented.
480 hours of professional experience. You need to have worked (or be working) with children in the age group that matches your credential type. Those hours must be earned within the five years before you apply.
A current Pediatric First Aid and CPR certificate. It must come from an in-person hands-on course. Online-only CPR does not qualify under Council rules.
A Professional Portfolio. This is a binder or digital collection that documents your work across all eight Competency Standards. It includes a family questionnaire (you hand these out to families you work with), six reflective competency statements you write yourself, and documentation of your training and experience.
The Council also requires a Verification Visit, an on-site observation by a CDA Professional Development Specialist. This happens after you submit your application and fee but before your credential is issued. The Specialist watches you work with children, reviews your portfolio, and interviews you.
There is no formal written exam for most tracks as of 2024. The Council moved away from the computer-based exam for most candidates after a pilot period. Confirm the current process on the Council's site, because this has changed over the years.
Age requirement: you must be 18. There is no upper age limit, no GPA requirement, and no citizenship requirement, though documentation rules apply.
How do you get a CDA credential, step by step?
Here is the sequence most candidates follow.
Step 1: Choose your credential type. Pick the one of six tracks that fits your current role. Center with toddlers? Infant/Toddler. Family child care home? Family Child Care. You have to apply in the setting where you are working right now.
Step 2: Log your 480 experience hours. If you already work in child care, you may already have these. They do not have to come from one program. They add up across the five years before you apply.
Step 3: Complete 120 training hours. You can do this in any order relative to your experience hours, but most people work on both at once. Online CDA training is everywhere and fully valid. Several large providers run cohort-based programs for $200 to $600 that cover all eight Competency Standard areas and hand you certificates of completion for your portfolio. A single intro child development course at a community college often covers 30 to 40 of the required hours.
Step 4: Get your CPR/First Aid certification. Book an in-person class. The Red Cross and American Heart Association both run them regularly, usually for $50 to $100 [9].
Step 5: Build your Professional Portfolio. This takes most candidates 4 to 8 weeks of steady work. The Council's website has the exact forms. The family questionnaire means distributing surveys to at least one family per Competency Standard area.
Step 6: Apply through the Council's online system. Create an account at cdacouncil.org and submit your application. The fee is $425 for a new credential as of 2024 [1]. Pay by credit card or check.
Step 7: Schedule your Verification Visit. After your application is approved, you coordinate with a CDA Professional Development Specialist for the on-site observation. The Council runs a locator tool to find Specialists near you.
Step 8: Receive your credential. If the Specialist recommends award, the Council issues your CDA. It is valid for three years, then you renew.
How long does it take to get a CDA credential?
Most candidates finish in 6 to 12 months working on it part-time alongside a job. The bottleneck is almost always the 120 training hours, not the application itself.
Starting from scratch with zero prior training and want to finish in under 6 months? That means averaging roughly 5 training hours a week. Doable online, but it takes real consistency. If you already have community college early childhood courses on your transcript, you may count those hours and cut the timeline hard.
Verification Visit scheduling is the wild card. In rural areas with few CDA Professional Development Specialists, candidates sometimes wait 8 to 12 weeks for an appointment. In metro areas the wait is usually 2 to 4 weeks. Build this into your plan, especially if an employer or state licensing deadline is pushing you.
Fastest realistic timeline: an experienced teacher with prior training and documented hours who just needs to formalize and apply can sometimes wrap in 60 to 90 days. Slowest realistic: someone starting from zero in a rural area, 18 months.
Can you get a CDA credential online?
Yes, with one hard exception. The CPR/First Aid certification must include an in-person hands-on component, and the Verification Visit is always in person.
Everything else runs online: all 120 training hours, building your portfolio, submitting your application. That is a real advantage for home-based providers and rural workers who cannot easily reach community college courses.
Known online CDA training providers include the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), ProSolutions Training, Qualistar, and several community colleges with online continuing education [7]. Costs run from roughly $150 for a bare-bones certificate bundle to $700 for a full cohort program with portfolio coaching included. The Council does not endorse specific training providers. It only requires that your training documents line up with the eight Competency Standards.
One thing to watch: some low-cost online providers deliver training that is genuinely thin. The Council has occasionally flagged documentation problems with certain providers' certificates. Before you pay for any online CDA program, confirm it issues itemized certificates showing hours per Competency Standard area, and that those certificates include the provider's contact information. Your Specialist will review them.
The Council offers its own training resources through its "myCouncil" online system. It is a reasonable starting point. It is not a complete training program, but it orients you to the portfolio process and the Competency Standards framework.
What does a CDA credential cost, total?
The Council's application fee is $425 for a new credential and $150 for renewal [1]. That is the starting point, not the whole bill.
| Cost item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Council application fee (new) | $425 |
| Online training program (120 hrs) | $150 to $700 |
| CPR/First Aid in-person class | $50 to $100 |
| Portfolio supplies (binder, printing) | $20 to $50 |
| Verification Visit travel (if applicable) | $0 to $100 |
| Total estimated range | $645 to $1,375 |
Many candidates land near the low end by using free or low-cost training through their state's child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agency. CCR&R agencies in every state offer training, sometimes at no charge, because improving staff credentials is a stated goal of CCDF [3]. Child Care Aware of America keeps a directory of state CCR&R agencies at childcareaware.org [4].
Employer support is common. Center directors often pay the application fee and training costs for lead teachers because it lifts the center's QRIS rating. If you work in a center and your director has not brought this up, ask directly.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarships exist in most states specifically to help child care workers pay for CDA training and the application fee. They are funded through state CCDF quality set-aside dollars. Eligibility varies by state but usually requires working a minimum number of hours per week in a licensed program [5].
What can you do with a CDA credential, and does it raise your pay?
The CDA opens four concrete doors.
First, it qualifies you for lead teacher or primary caregiver roles in states that list it as an acceptable educational credential in their licensing rules. Without it, you may be capped at assistant teacher status under state law no matter how much experience you have.
Second, it raises your program's QRIS rating, which in most states directly increases the subsidy reimbursement rate you get for enrolled children on state assistance. If you accept any state-funded slots, the mechanics are worth your time; see our overview of childcare subsidy.
Third, it usually produces a pay bump. The honest data here is messy and state-specific, but the Early Childhood Workforce Index from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment shows credentialed early childhood workers earn more than non-credentialed workers in the same role. The gap runs from a few hundred dollars a year in saturated markets to several thousand in states with strong credential-linked pay scales [6].
Fourth, many community colleges count it toward an associate's or bachelor's degree through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs. Some schools award 9 to 15 college credits for an active CDA, which shortens the time and cost of a degree later.
What you cannot do with it: call yourself a licensed teacher in a public school, hold a director credential in most states (that usually takes more education), or use it as a substitute for state-specific certifications with different requirements.
If you are building curriculum alongside your credential work, resources like preschool curriculum and creative curriculum for preschool are practical next steps, since your Competency Standard documentation draws on the actual activities and approaches you use.
How do you renew a CDA credential?
The CDA is valid for three years from the date of issuance. Renewal takes 45 hours of continuing education and the $150 renewal fee [1].
The 45 hours must relate to early childhood education, but they do not have to map to specific Competency Standards the way initial training does. This is easier to rack up than it sounds. Many state CCR&R agencies offer free or low-cost workshops all year, and those hours count.
You do not need another Verification Visit for renewal. That is a new-credential requirement only.
Let your credential lapse and you start over from scratch, including the $425 fee and a new Verification Visit. Do not let it lapse. Set a calendar reminder 6 months before your expiration date.
The Council emails renewal reminders to the address on file in your myCouncil account. Change employers or email addresses, and you update your account, or you miss them.
How does the CDA credential compare to other early childhood qualifications?
Knowing where the CDA sits in the qualification landscape helps you decide whether it is the right next step or whether you should aim higher from the start.
| Credential | Issuer | Time to complete | Typical cost | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA | Council for Professional Recognition | 6 to 12 months | $650 to $1,400 | National, entry-level |
| Child Development Certificate (AA pathway) | Community college | 2 years | $4,000 to $15,000 | State-recognized |
| Associate's degree (ECE) | Community college | 2 years | $6,000 to $20,000 | Accepted in all states |
| Bachelor's degree (ECE) | University | 4 years | $20,000 to $80,000 | Required for K-3 teaching |
| State director credential | State agency | Varies | $100 to $1,500 | Director roles only |
The CDA is the fastest and cheapest route to a recognized national credential. The tradeoff: it does not satisfy requirements in states that mandate a degree for lead teachers, and it does not stand in for a director credential.
For home-based providers, the Family Child Care CDA is often the best fit because it is built for that setting and recognized in most QRIS systems. Once your credential is secured and you are formalizing your program's educational approach, a preschool curriculum for 3-year-olds or a Montessori preschool curriculum may be natural next steps.
If your state requires a degree for your role and you are torn between the CDA first or going straight to an associate's degree, most advisors (and the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program itself) recommend the CDA first, because many community colleges award college credit for it and that makes the degree cheaper and faster to finish afterward [5].
How does the CDA credential affect CCDF and state licensing compliance?
CCDF is the federal block grant that funds most state child care subsidy programs and quality improvement work. The law, 45 CFR Part 98, requires states to have a plan for improving child care quality, and staff credentials sit at the center of those plans [3].
The current CCDF Final Rule, published in 2024, tightened requirements around staff qualifications and training. It requires states to describe how they support providers in meeting training and professional development requirements. The rule text says states must "describe the professional development and training requirements, including the minimum requirements for child care staff" as part of their CCDF State Plans [3]. CDA credentials fit squarely in that framework.
For your own licensing compliance, check your state's child care licensing regulations, not CCDF rules, to know what your staff must have. CCDF sets a floor and provides funding. State licensing sets the enforceable staff qualification rules you are actually subject to. Michigan, for example, has specific staff qualification requirements in its licensing rules that reference credential levels; if you operate there, see our Michigan daycare licensing guide for how this plays out.
ChildCareComp's compliance toolkit can map your current staff credentials against your state's requirements so you know where gaps sit before an inspector finds them.
One practical note: keep your CDA certificate, your training hour documentation, and your CPR card in your licensing file at your facility. Inspectors in most states ask to see staff credential documentation during routine inspections, and the easiest inspection is the one where every document is already organized and current.
Where can you find free or low-cost help getting your CDA credential?
Several well-funded programs exist specifically to make the CDA affordable.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarships cover tuition, books, and sometimes the Council application fee for eligible child care workers. As of 2024, T.E.A.C.H. operates in 22 states. Find your state contact through the National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies or directly at teachecnationalcenter.org [5].
State CCR&R agencies offer free or subsidized training in every state. Because CCDF quality set-aside dollars fund these agencies, they have a direct interest in helping you accumulate CDA training hours. Child Care Aware of America's directory at childcareaware.org points you to your local CCR&R [4].
Head Start programs frequently provide CDA support to their staff and, in some cases, to family child care providers who partner with Head Start networks [10]. Got a Head Start program in your area? Their training coordinator is worth a call.
Some state professional development registries keep lists of approved low-cost training. Texas, for example, runs the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System. Similar systems exist in most states.
One last move: if your program is enrolled with a Child Care Resource and Referral agency for subsidy purposes, ask your CCR&R specialist directly about credential support. Many CCR&Rs hold discretionary funds for application fees that never get widely advertised.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CDA credential in simple terms?
The CDA (Child Development Associate) is a nationally recognized certificate that proves you have the training and observed skills to work well with young children. The Council for Professional Recognition issues it. It requires 120 training hours and 480 hours of experience, and it costs $425 to apply. It is the most common entry-level professional credential in early childhood education in the U.S.
How long does it take to get a CDA credential?
Most people finish in 6 to 12 months while working full time. The main variable is how fast you complete 120 training hours. With prior early childhood training on record, you can sometimes apply in as few as 60 to 90 days. In rural areas, scheduling the required Verification Visit can add 2 to 3 months to the timeline.
How much does the CDA credential cost?
The Council's application fee is $425 for a new credential. Add training program costs ($150 to $700 depending on provider), an in-person CPR class ($50 to $100), and portfolio materials ($20 to $50), and total out-of-pocket cost usually lands between $645 and $1,375. T.E.A.C.H. scholarships and CCR&R agency subsidies can reduce or eliminate these costs for eligible workers.
Can I get my CDA credential online?
Almost entirely, yes. All 120 training hours can be completed online, and you submit the application through the Council's online portal. Two in-person requirements cannot be skipped: the hands-on CPR/First Aid certification and the on-site Verification Visit with a CDA Professional Development Specialist.
Does the CDA credential expire?
Yes. A CDA credential is valid for three years. Renewal takes 45 hours of continuing education and a $150 fee. There is no second Verification Visit for renewals. Let it lapse and you go through the full new-credential process again, including the $425 fee and a new Verification Visit, so renewing on time is worth the effort.
Is the CDA credential required to work in a daycare?
It depends on your state and your role. At least 38 states reference the CDA in licensing regulations, often as a minimum qualification for lead teachers or as one of several acceptable credentials. Some states require a degree instead. Check your specific state's child care licensing rules to know what your role legally requires.
How does the CDA credential affect my pay?
Credentialed early childhood workers consistently earn more than non-credentialed peers in the same role, though the size of the gap varies a lot by state. Beyond direct pay, holding a CDA often raises your program's QRIS rating, which can increase subsidy reimbursement rates by 10 to 20 percent in states with credential-linked tiered reimbursement.
What is the difference between the CDA credential and an early childhood degree?
The CDA is a competency-based certificate that takes 6 to 12 months and costs under $1,400 total. An associate's or bachelor's degree takes 2 to 4 years and costs much more. Many states accept the CDA for lead teacher roles, but some require a degree. Many community colleges award 9 to 15 college credits for an existing CDA, making the degree cheaper to pursue afterward.
Which CDA credential type should I choose?
Choose the type that matches your current work setting and age group: Preschool if you work with 3- to 5-year-olds in a center, Infant/Toddler if you work with children under 3, and Family Child Care if you operate or work in a licensed home daycare. You apply in the setting where you are currently working with children.
Can I count prior college courses toward my CDA training hours?
Yes. Early childhood education college courses completed within the past five years typically count toward your 120 training hours, as long as you have transcripts or certificates documenting the subject matter and hours. Map them to the eight Competency Standard areas in your portfolio. Courses in child development, health, family engagement, and curriculum are usually easy to fit.
What is a CDA Verification Visit and how do I prepare?
The Verification Visit is an on-site observation by a CDA Professional Development Specialist who watches you work with children, reviews your Professional Portfolio, and interviews you about your practice. You schedule it through the Council's system after applying. Prepare by organizing your portfolio so every Competency Standard area is clearly documented, and make sure your working environment reflects safe, developmentally appropriate practices.
Does a CDA credential help with family child care licensing?
Yes, in most states. The Family Child Care CDA is recognized in nearly all state QRIS systems and is frequently cited in family child care licensing regulations as a qualifying staff credential. It can help you meet training hour requirements, qualify for higher reimbursement tiers, and signal quality to families and licensing inspectors.
Are there scholarships to pay for the CDA credential?
Yes. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarships cover training costs and often the Council application fee for eligible workers in 22 states. State CCR&R agencies frequently offer free training that counts toward your 120 hours. Some programs hold discretionary funds for application fees. Ask your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency what is currently available in your state.
How do I find a CDA Professional Development Specialist near me?
The Council for Professional Recognition runs a locator tool through the myCouncil online system at cdacouncil.org. After you submit your application and fee, you receive instructions to search for Specialists in your region. Your state CCR&R agency or Head Start training office may also keep a local list and can sometimes help set up the connection.
Sources
- Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Credential Application Requirements: CDA application fee is $425 for a new credential and $150 for renewal; 120 training hours and 480 experience hours required; over 500,000 credentials awarded since 1975
- Office of Child Care Technical Assistance Network (HHS), State Licensing Requirements: At least 38 states reference the CDA in child care licensing regulations as a staff qualification
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CCDF Final Rule 45 CFR Part 98: CCDF rules require states to describe professional development and training requirements for child care staff and support quality improvement through credential-linked QRIS systems
- Child Care Aware of America, State CCR&R Directory: Child Care Aware of America maintains a directory of state Child Care Resource and Referral agencies that provide free and subsidized training
- T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center, Scholarship Program Overview: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarships cover tuition, books, and application fees for CDA candidates in 22 states, funded through state CCDF quality set-aside dollars
- Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE), University of California Berkeley, Early Childhood Workforce Index: Surveys consistently show credentialed early childhood workers earn more than non-credentialed peers, with differences varying significantly by state
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Professional Development Resources: NAEYC offers CDA training programs and supports the professional development framework aligned with CDA Competency Standards
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care: States must have a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) or equivalent structure as part of CCDF compliance, and nearly all state QRIS systems link reimbursement rates to staff credentials including the CDA
- American Red Cross, First Aid and CPR Certification Courses: In-person Pediatric First Aid and CPR courses are available through the American Red Cross, typically for $50 to $100
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start: Head Start programs are required to support staff professional development including credential attainment, and many provide CDA support to affiliated child care providers