Last updated 2026-07-09
TL;DR
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. California doesn't require it for most jobs, but it satisfies CCDF quality rules, qualifies you for wage supplements under state programs, and is often mandatory in Head Start and subsidized care. Expect 6 to 12 months and $425 to $800 total.
What is the CDA credential and does California recognize it?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national credential from the Council for Professional Recognition, a Washington D.C. nonprofit that has awarded more than 700,000 credentials since 1975 [1]. It's the most widely held early childhood credential in the country. California recognizes it fully.
That recognition shows up in two concrete places. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) lists the CDA as a qualifying credential under the state's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) quality improvement system [2]. And the California Early Care and Education Workforce Registry accepts the CDA as documentation of professional development. The state won't pull your license if you skip it, but the credential does real work for your income and your hiring odds.
The CDA is not the California Child Development Permit (CDP). The CDP is a state-specific credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Plenty of providers hold both: the CDA because it travels nationally and funders often demand it, the CDP because California-funded preschool programs and some center positions require it [3]. They complement each other. Neither replaces the other.
Here's the short version. Want a Head Start or Early Head Start job, or the quality bonuses that come with California subsidized care? The CDA is usually the faster route. Want to run a lead teacher or director role inside a California state-funded preschool? You'll need the CDP eventually.
Does California require the CDA for daycare licensing?
No. California's Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) does not list the CDA as a condition of licensure for Family Child Care Homes or Child Care Centers [4]. The state's licensing rules turn on age, health clearances, first aid and CPR certification, and minimum college units in child development, not on the CDA.
To license a Family Child Care Home, CDSS requires the licensee to be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, complete 15 hours of health and safety training before licensure, and finish a pre-licensing orientation [4]. The CDA never appears in that list.
For Child Care Centers, lead teachers and aides carry unit requirements under Title 22, Division 12 of the California Code of Regulations. The CDA isn't a listed way to meet them the way specific college units are [4].
The CDA earns its keep at the funding layer, not the licensing layer. Head Start Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302) require that 50% of Head Start teachers nationwide hold at least an associate degree, and programs routinely set the CDA as the floor for aides and assistants [5]. California subsidized contracts run through Alternative Payment Programs and Resource and Referral agencies increasingly name the CDA or an equivalent for quality tier payments. You can be licensed without it. The jobs that pay best often want it.
What are the CDA requirements in California?
The requirements come from the Council for Professional Recognition, not from any California agency. California adds nothing and subtracts nothing. Here's what you need before you apply [1]:
Education: A high school diploma or GED.
College coursework: 120 clock hours of professional development or formal coursework in early childhood education. Those 120 hours must cover all eight CDA subject areas (planning a safe environment, advancing physical development, supporting social and emotional development, building productive relationships, using content areas to build curriculum, observing and recording behavior, applying family and community relationships, and managing an effective program). You can bank the hours through a California community college, a CDA Gold Standard Training program, or an employer-sponsored program.
Experience: 480 hours working with children in a group setting within the past 5 years. For a home-based CDA, those hours have to be in a family child care setting.
Professional Portfolio: A collection of materials you assemble to show your competency, built against the CDA Competency Standards.
Formal Observation: A Professional Development Specialist (PDS) watches you work with children for at least 1.5 hours and verifies your competency.
CDA Exam: A computer-based test, 65 questions (60 scored, 5 pilot), given at Pearson VUE centers. California has Pearson VUE sites in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, and other major metros [1].
You apply through the Council's online portal at mycouncil.cdacouncil.org. Once your application is complete, the Council usually verifies and approves within 4 to 6 weeks, then schedules your exam and observation [1].
The CDA credential guide on this site walks the full national process step by step if you want the whole picture.
How much does the CDA credential cost in California?
Most California providers spend $600 to $900 start to finish. The cost splits into three buckets: the Council's application fee, your education hours, and materials. The application fee is fixed. Everything else depends on how you get your training.
| Cost item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| CDA application fee (first time) | $425 |
| Community college coursework (per unit, CA resident) | $46/unit (2024-25) |
| 120-hour approved training program (if not using college) | $200-$600 |
| Pearson VUE exam site fee (included in application) | Included in $425 |
| Professional Portfolio materials | $20-$50 |
| Renewal fee (every 3 years) | $150 |
The Council's $425 application fee covers the exam and doesn't change by state. California community colleges charge residents $46 per unit as of 2024-25, a rate set by the state legislature [6]. A 3-unit ECE course runs about $138 in tuition. You can usually clear the 120 clock hours in three 3-unit courses, so the community college route puts your coursework around $400 to $500.
Find a free or grant-funded training program (more on that below) and you can drop the total under $500.
Renewal every three years costs $150 and takes 45 hours of continuing education. That's a light lift if you're already doing professional development for your California license.
One honest note. The biggest hidden cost is time, not money. The Professional Portfolio is the part people underestimate most. Budget 20 to 40 hours of focused work on the portfolio alone, separate from your coursework.
How long does it take to get the CDA in California?
Most people in California finish in 6 to 12 months. The range is wide because it rides almost entirely on how fast you stack your 120 education hours and 480 work hours.
Work full-time in a licensed setting, roughly 40 hours a week, and you'll hit the 480-hour experience requirement in about 12 weeks. Part-time at 20 hours a week stretches that to 24 weeks.
The 120 education hours are usually the longer track. A standard 3-unit semester course at a California community college meets for about 54 contact hours, so you'll need two to three courses. Taken one at a time, that's one to two semesters, roughly 5 to 8 months. Double up or use an intensive boot-camp program and you can finish in 8 to 12 weeks.
After you submit a complete application, the Council's review and exam scheduling takes 4 to 6 weeks. Then you schedule your PDS observation, which hinges on whether a Professional Development Specialist is available near you.
In rural California, finding a PDS can tack on 4 to 8 weeks. The Council keeps a PDS locator at cdacouncil.org that searches by zip code. In the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego metros, availability is generally better.
Start today, work at it steadily, and plan for 6 months if you're motivated. Plan for 12 if you're fitting this around a full schedule.
Is there financial help for the CDA in California?
Yes, and California is more generous here than many states. Your first call should be your local Resource and Referral (R&R) agency, which you can find through the California Department of Education's Child Development Division [7]. R&R agencies and the California Child Care Initiative Project sometimes offer direct scholarships or fee reimbursements for the CDA. Amounts and availability shift by county.
California's CCDF State Plan sets aside money for professional development, and the state's Quality Counts California (QCC) system carries a workforce component [2]. Providers enrolled in QCC or the former First 5 IMPACT program have historically tapped scholarship funds. Check with your county's First 5 commission, since each county runs its money somewhat differently.
The federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds professional development at the state level, and CDSS has to report how those dollars support workforce training [2]. In practice, that's why some community colleges run grant-funded ECE courses that are free or heavily discounted for licensed providers.
Work in Head Start? Ask your program's training coordinator. Head Start grantees often cover CDA fees in full for staff who need the credential to meet performance standards.
Some California counties also used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) child care stabilization funds to subsidize professional development, including CDA fees. Those dollars are largely spent down, but it's worth asking your local R&R whether any remain.
For how subsidies and quality programs connect, the childcare subsidy guide explains California's subsidy system and where quality credentials move payment rates.
How does the CDA affect pay in California?
This is the most concrete reason to get the CDA if you already work in California child care. AB 123, signed in 2022, created a child care provider wage enhancement program run by CDSS that ties hourly rate increases to education level, and the CDA counts as a qualifying credential for enhanced rates under the tiered structure [8]. Providers who hold the CDA and work in subsidized settings can qualify for wage supplements.
The exact supplement depends on your county, your education level, and your program. Early data from the CDSS wage enhancement pilot pointed to supplements of $3 to $6 per hour above base rates for credentialed providers, though the structure has shifted through budget negotiations.
Outside the state wage program, the pay effect is real but harder to pin down with California-specific numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median wage for childcare workers at $14.60 per hour and for preschool teachers, a category that usually requires more credentials, at $20.02 [9]. The Council for Professional Recognition has cited employer surveys showing CDA holders out-earn non-credentialed peers in comparable roles, but those are national figures, and California's baseline wages run higher.
California providers consistently report one thing, and hiring data from large center operators backs it up: the CDA is often the line between getting hired as an aide and getting hired as a teacher assistant, a gap worth $2 to $4 an hour in most metro markets.
For how the tax side of your provider income works, the childcare tax credit article covers the credits that may apply.
Which type of CDA should you get in California?
The Council offers six CDA types. Four matter to California providers. Pick the one that matches where you work now, not where you hope to work someday.
Center-Based Preschool: For children ages 3 to 5 in a center. This is the type most California center staff hold.
Center-Based Infant/Toddler: For children birth to 36 months in a center. California has heavy demand for infant/toddler care, and this type is often required by infant-toddler centers paying the highest subsidized rates.
Family Child Care: For home-based providers with mixed-age groups. Run or work in a licensed Family Child Care Home in California? This is your type.
Home Visitor: For professionals who visit families at home. Less common, but used in programs like California's Home Visiting Program.
The exam content and competency standards are identical across types. The difference is the setting where you log your required work experience and complete your PDS observation.
My honest recommendation stands: choose the type that matches your current setting. The credential ties to the setting where you were observed and practiced. Switch settings later and you can apply for an additional CDA in the new setting at a reduced fee, but you'll run the process again. Start with what you have.
For California home-based providers, the Family Child Care CDA has the cleanest tie to county R&R quality programs. Center providers in infant/toddler rooms are in the highest demand across Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area, which makes the Infant/Toddler CDA a smart long-term bet.
How does the CDA compare to the California Child Development Permit?
This comparison trips up more California providers than anything else, so here it is straight. The CDA travels to all 50 states; the Child Development Permit works only in California. The CDA is not required by California law; the permit is required for lead teachers in California State Preschool Programs.
| Feature | CDA | California Child Development Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | Council for Professional Recognition (national nonprofit) | California Commission on Teacher Credentialing |
| Portability | Recognized in all 50 states | California only |
| Application fee | $425 | $35-$100 depending on level |
| Education req. | 120 hours + HS diploma | 6-24 ECE units depending on level |
| Experience req. | 480 hours | Varies by permit level |
| Renewal | Every 3 years, $150 | Every 5 years |
| Required by CA law | No | Yes, for state-funded preschool lead teachers |
| Head Start compliant | Yes | Sometimes (depends on program) |
| CCDF quality funding tie | Yes | Yes |
The California Child Development Permit ladder runs from Associate Teacher through Master Teacher and Director. The entry-level Associate Teacher Permit needs 6 ECE units and no degree, which is actually a lower education bar than the CDA, but the permit is legally required for lead teachers in California State Preschool Programs [3].
Planning a career entirely in California? The CDP ladder matters more for long-term advancement. Want credentials that follow you anywhere, or working in Head Start or federally funded programs? The CDA is the better first move. Many California providers earn the CDA first, because the training is practical and self-contained, then push their CDA coursework toward CDP unit requirements.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing won't accept the CDA in place of specific ECE unit counts. But the coursework you take for the CDA counts as ECE units on your transcript if you took it through a regionally accredited college.
Where can you complete CDA training in California?
You have three real options. Community colleges are the cheapest at $46 a unit. Approved Gold Standard programs are the most structured. Online programs are the most flexible if you're in a rural county.
Community Colleges: California has 116 community colleges, most with ECE departments offering exactly the coursework the CDA needs [6]. Look for courses filed under Child Development or Early Childhood Education. Solid programs run at Los Angeles City College, City College of San Francisco, San Diego Mesa College, Sacramento City College, and Fresno City College. These cost $46 per unit for residents and run in person, online, or hybrid.
CDA Gold Standard Training Programs: The Council keeps a list of approved training providers on its website. In California, groups like Pacific Oaks College, WestEd, and county R&R agencies periodically run CDA-specific programs built to cover all eight subject areas efficiently. Some are grant-funded and free.
Online Programs: Several accredited programs run online CDA prep, including the Child Care Education Institute (CCEI) and others on the Council's approved list. These work well for providers in rural counties where community college ECE sections are thin.
Not sure a course covers the right content? Use the Council's 120-hour checklist at cdacouncil.org to map your coursework against the eight required subject areas before you enroll. Showing up at the application stage with a gap in one subject area is fixable, but it costs you time.
The free preschool curriculum and preschool curriculum pages are worth reading alongside your coursework, since curriculum planning is one of the eight CDA subject areas where providers most often want practical examples.
ChildCareComp's compliance toolkit includes a CDA subject area checklist you can use to audit existing coursework before applying, which saves time if you've taken scattered courses over several years.
What happens after you get your CDA in California?
Your CDA is valid for three years from the award date. Renew before it expires. Renewal takes 45 hours of continuing education in early childhood education or child development, completed within the three years since your last award or renewal [1], plus 80 hours of work experience with children, a completed Continuing Education Log, and a $150 fee. No new PDS observation or exam.
On the career side, the CDA gets you into the California Early Care and Education Workforce Registry, which some county quality programs use to match providers with professional development and to verify credentials for funding.
Want to move up? The natural next step in California is the Child Development Permit at the Teacher level, which needs 12 ECE units plus general education units and 175 days of experience. The coursework you finished for the CDA almost certainly already gives you 6 to 12 ECE units.
For providers expanding programs or adding curriculum depth, the creative curriculum for preschool and preschool curriculum for 3-year-olds resources are practical next reads after you finish your coursework.
Building a center and want the full picture of what a licensed program takes? The daycare center guide covers California licensing requirements in full.
The CDA also lands on your resume as a national credential that any employer or licensing body in any state will recognize. That portability is real, and it matters if you leave California or take a job with a national child care company running in multiple states. The California credential ladder is excellent, but it stays inside California.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CDA credential required to work in a California daycare?
No. California's Community Care Licensing Division does not require the CDA for licensing a Family Child Care Home or Child Care Center. State licensing turns on background checks, health and safety training, and minimum ECE unit counts. The CDA becomes practically necessary when you work in Head Start programs or seek higher pay tiers under California's CCDF-funded quality improvement programs.
How much does the CDA credential cost in California?
The Council for Professional Recognition charges $425 for a first-time CDA application, which includes the exam. California community college coursework costs $46 per unit for residents, so three 3-unit ECE courses add about $400. Total out-of-pocket for most California providers runs $600 to $900. Grant-funded training through county R&R agencies can cut or erase the education cost.
Can the CDA substitute for the California Child Development Permit?
No. The CDA and the California Child Development Permit (CDP) are separate credentials from different bodies. The CDP is issued by California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is legally required for lead teachers in California State Preschool Programs. The CDA is nationally portable and Head Start compliant but does not satisfy the CDP requirement. Many providers hold both. Coursework completed for the CDA does count as ECE units toward CDP applications.
How long does it take to get a CDA in California?
Most California providers finish in 6 to 12 months. The 480-hour experience requirement takes 12 weeks full-time or up to 24 weeks part-time. The 120 education hours typically take one to two college semesters. After you submit a complete application, the Council's review and exam scheduling takes 4 to 6 weeks. Finding a Professional Development Specialist for the required observation can add time in rural counties.
Does the CDA increase pay for California child care providers?
Yes, meaningfully. California's AB 123 wage enhancement program ties supplement payments to education level, and the CDA qualifies as a credentialing milestone for enhanced rates in subsidized settings. Early program data pointed to supplements of $3 to $6 per hour for credentialed providers. Outside state programs, employers consistently offer $2 to $4 an hour more for CDA holders compared to non-credentialed peers in aide versus teacher assistant roles.
Which CDA type should a California home daycare provider get?
The Family Child Care CDA. It's built for providers working with mixed-age groups in a home setting, which matches California's Family Child Care Home license structure. The exam and competency standards match the other types; the difference is that your required 480 hours of work experience and PDS observation must happen in a family child care setting. County R&R agencies recognize this type for home-based quality improvement programs.
Are there free CDA training programs in California?
Sometimes. County Resource and Referral agencies, First 5 commissions, and community colleges with ECE grants periodically run free or subsidized CDA prep courses. Head Start programs often cover fees for their own staff. Availability shifts by county and year. Contact your local R&R agency first, then check your county's First 5 commission. Some California community colleges also run grant-funded ECE boot camps at no cost to licensed providers.
What is the CDA exam like and where can you take it in California?
The CDA exam is a computer-based test with 65 questions (60 scored, 5 pilot), given at Pearson VUE centers. It covers the eight CDA competency goal areas. California has Pearson VUE sites in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, and other metros. The exam is included in the $425 application fee. Most test-takers finish in under 90 minutes, and the Council provides a detailed content framework for studying.
How do I renew my CDA credential in California?
CDA credentials are valid for three years. Renewal takes 45 hours of continuing education in ECE or child development completed during your credential period, 80 hours of work experience with children, a completed Continuing Education Log, and a $150 renewal fee submitted through the Council's mycouncil portal. No new exam or PDS observation is required. California providers can use community college ECE courses, R&R workshops, or approved online training to meet the 45 hours.
Does the CDA count toward California's Child Care and Development Fund quality requirements?
Yes. California's CDSS includes the CDA as a qualifying credential under its CCDF quality improvement system. Providers who hold the CDA and take part in subsidized child care programs can use it to document professional qualifications for quality tier payments. The state's CCDF State Plan reports CDA holders as part of workforce quality metrics, so the credential has direct financial consequences for providers in subsidized settings.
Can I complete CDA coursework online in California?
Yes. Several Council-approved programs offer fully online CDA prep, including the Child Care Education Institute and programs through accredited community colleges with online ECE departments. California's own community college system offers many ECE courses online. Online options are especially practical for providers in rural counties where in-person ECE sections are limited. Verify that any online program covers all eight CDA subject areas before enrolling.
What is the difference between the CDA and an ECE associate degree in California?
The CDA takes 120 clock hours of professional development and a high school diploma. An ECE associate degree from a California community college typically takes 60 semester units (1,800-plus contact hours) and 2 years full-time. The CDA is faster and cheaper. The associate degree opens more doors in California's state-funded programs and is required for Head Start lead teachers. Many providers earn the CDA first, then push those credits toward a degree.
Does California's Head Start program require the CDA?
Head Start programs in California follow federal performance standards (45 CFR Part 1302), which require 50% of Head Start teachers to hold at least an associate degree. The CDA is commonly the minimum credential for teacher aides and assistants and is accepted in place of a degree for some positions. Individual grantees set their own requirements above the federal floor, so check with the specific Head Start agency you work for or want to join.
Sources
- Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Credential Requirements: The Council has awarded more than 700,000 CDA credentials since 1975; application fee is $425; renewal fee is $150; exam is 65 questions at Pearson VUE sites; renewal requires 45 hours of continuing education every 3 years.
- California CDSS, CCDF State Plan: California's CDSS includes the CDA as a qualifying credential under the state's CCDF quality improvement system and reports CDA holders as workforce quality metrics.
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Child Development Permits: The California Child Development Permit is legally required for lead teachers in California State Preschool Programs and is issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, separate from the CDA.
- California CDSS, Community Care Licensing Division, Title 22 Regulations: California's CCLD does not require the CDA for Family Child Care Home or Child Care Center licensure; licensing requirements focus on age, background checks, 15 hours of health and safety training, and ECE unit counts.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302: Head Start Performance Standards require 50% of Head Start teachers to hold at least an associate degree; CDA is used as minimum credential for aides and assistants.
- California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, Student Fees: California community college enrollment fee for state residents is $46 per unit for 2024-25, set by the state legislature; California has 116 community colleges.
- California Department of Education, Child Development Division, Resource and Referral Agencies: California's CDE Child Development Division administers Resource and Referral agencies that offer professional development scholarships and CDA fee assistance by county.
- California Legislative Information, AB 123 (2022), Child Care Provider Workforce: AB 123, signed 2022, created California's child care provider wage enhancement program administered by CDSS, tying hourly rate increases to education level including the CDA credential.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Childcare Workers and Preschool Teachers: BLS reports national median hourly wages of $14.60 for childcare workers and $20.02 for preschool teachers (May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics).
- Child Care Aware of America, Demanding Change: Repairing the Child Care System: Child Care Aware data on workforce credentialing and quality ratings systems, including CCDF quality funding tied to provider credentials.