CDA credential in Indiana: requirements, costs, and how to apply

Last updated 2026-07-10

What is the CDA credential and why does it matter in Indiana?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is the most widely recognized entry-level professional credential in early childhood education in the United States. It is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, a nonprofit established in 1985 specifically for this purpose. The Council has awarded more than 1.3 million CDA credentials since its founding ^[1].

In Indiana, the CDA matters for three concrete reasons. First, state licensing rules for child care centers require lead teachers in infant/toddler classrooms to hold at least a CDA or equivalent when those classrooms are part of a licensed center seeking to operate at higher quality ratings ^[2]. Second, the Indiana Paths to QUALITY (PTQ) program, the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System, uses CDA attainment as a scored indicator at Levels 2 and 3. Centers and homes that move up PTQ levels get higher Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) reimbursement rates, so the CDA has a direct dollar value attached to it ^[3]. Third, CDA holders in Indiana can apply for staff incentive payments through the state's workforce development programs, which have ranged up to $1,000 per recipient depending on available funding ^[4].

If you're running a licensed home daycare or a center and you're trying to decide whether the credential is worth the time, the short answer is yes. The PTQ reimbursement bump alone typically covers the credential cost within a few months of moving up a level.

What are Indiana's CDA training requirements?

The Council for Professional Recognition sets national requirements, and Indiana does not add a separate state layer on top of them. You need 120 clock hours of formal child care training distributed across all 8 of the Council's subject areas ^[1]:

1. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment 2. Advancing children's physical and intellectual development 3. Supporting children's social and emotional development 4. Building productive relationships with families 5. Managing an effective program operation 6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism 7. Observing and recording children's behavior 8. Understanding principles of child development and learning

No single area has a minimum hour requirement, but the Council's assessors look for reasonable distribution. If you crammed 100 hours into one area and left others nearly empty, the Professional Development Specialist (PDS) conducting your verification visit would flag it.

For Indiana candidates, training hours can come from accredited college courses, Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) workshops, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community training, or online courses approved by the Council. The Indiana Child Care Resource and Referral network (IN CCR&R) can point you toward upcoming training events in your region ^[5]. Community colleges like Ivy Tech also offer early childhood education courses that map directly to CDA subject areas and appear frequently on approved training hour logs.

One thing that trips people up: training completed more than 10 years before your application date does not count. The Council wants training that is reasonably current.

How many work experience hours do you need for the Indiana CDA?

You need 480 hours of experience working with children in the age group you are applying for, completed within the past 5 years ^[1]. The three main CDA settings are: center-based preschool (ages 3-5), center-based infant/toddler (birth-36 months), and family child care (all ages, home setting). You apply for one specific setting.

Those 480 hours have to be paid or supervised work in an actual child care setting, more than caring for your own children. Indiana licensing requires family child care homes to be licensed or registered, so if you're running a home daycare, make sure it is properly licensed through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Child Services ^[2]. Unlicensed experience in a setting that legally requires a license can create questions during your verification visit.

You record your hours in the online application through the Council's portal (cdacouncil.org). Keep your own log with dates and supervisor signatures as you go. Scrambling to reconstruct six months of timesheets at the end is not fun.

What goes into the CDA Professional Portfolio?

The Professional Portfolio is the centerpiece of your CDA application. It is not a scrapbook. It is a structured document that has three required components ^[1]:

Family Questionnaires. You must give printed questionnaires to at least six families you work with and collect them in sealed envelopes. The Council provides the questionnaire form. Families rate your performance; the PDS opens and reviews the envelopes during the verification visit.

Reflective Statements of Competence. You write a short reflection for each of the 6 CDA Competency Standards, describing how your practice in the classroom or home setting demonstrates that competency. There are no formal length requirements, but most completed statements run 2-5 paragraphs each.

Professional Resource Collection. This is a collection of resource materials you would actually use on the job: things like a sample activity plan tied to child development milestones, references on community services for families, and documentation that you understand and follow required health and safety procedures. The Council's current Competency Standards book (available free on the Council's website) lists exactly what items belong in the collection.

Start the portfolio early. Candidates who wait until after they submit their application often scramble to finish before their verification visit is scheduled.

How much does the CDA credential cost in Indiana?

The Council for Professional Recognition charges $425 for a new CDA application as of 2024 ^[1]. That fee covers the application review, the CDA exam (taken at a Pearson VUE test center or remotely), and the credential itself if you pass.

Beyond the Council's fee, your real out-of-pocket costs depend on how you get your 120 training hours. Here is a realistic range:

Cost item	Low estimate	High estimate
CDA application fee (Council)	$425	$425
Training hours (community workshops)	$0	$300
Ivy Tech early childhood courses (per credit hour)	$100/cr	$165/cr
CDA Competency Standards book	$0 (free PDF)	$35 (print)
Professional Resource Collection materials	$10	$50
Total	~$435	~$975

The low end is achievable. Indiana's IN CCR&R agencies often offer free or subsidized training events ^[5]. The Council also offers a fee reduction for candidates who demonstrate financial need, though availability varies.

Incentive payments can offset most or all of your costs. Indiana's Early Childhood Education Teacher Scholarship and workforce incentive programs have historically offered payments to staff at licensed programs who earn credentials. Check with your local CCR&R or the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning (OECOSL) for currently funded programs, since these change year to year based on CCDF appropriations ^[4].

For a broader look at how credentials connect to subsidy reimbursement, see our overview of childcare subsidy rules.

How do you apply for the CDA credential step by step?

The entire application process is online through the Council's portal at cdacouncil.org. Here is the sequence:

Step 1. Check your eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED, 480 hours of work experience in the past 5 years, and 120 training hours. You do not need a college degree.

Step 2. Create an account and submit your application. Log into the Council's portal, choose your credential type (center-based infant/toddler, preschool, or family child care), and pay the $425 fee. You can save and return to the application before submitting.

Step 3. Complete your Professional Portfolio. Distribute the family questionnaires, write your reflective statements, and assemble your Professional Resource Collection. You upload the reflective statements and resource collection to the portal. The family questionnaire envelopes stay sealed and are handed to your PDS at the verification visit.

Step 4. Schedule your CDA exam. After the Council approves your application, you schedule an exam at a Pearson VUE center or via remote proctoring. The exam has 65 multiple-choice questions covering the 8 subject areas. You receive your result immediately.

Step 5. Schedule the verification visit. Your assigned PDS contacts you to set up a 1.5 to 2 hour observation in your actual classroom or home care setting. The PDS reviews your portfolio, observes you with children, and opens the family questionnaires. Bring your training documentation to this appointment.

Step 6. Receive your credential. If all components pass, the Council issues your CDA credential. Processing time after the verification visit is typically 4-6 weeks ^[1].

Total timeline from application to credential: most candidates finish in 3-6 months, though candidates who already have all 120 training hours completed before applying can move faster.

How does the CDA connect to Indiana's Paths to QUALITY program?

Paths to QUALITY (PTQ) is Indiana's QRIS, a four-level rating system for licensed child care programs ^[3]. CCDF-subsidized programs must participate. The CDA credential shows up as a scored indicator at Level 2 and beyond, in the staff qualifications domain.

At PTQ Level 2, a program earns points when lead caregivers hold a CDA or higher. At Level 3, the program needs a higher percentage of staff with credentials and ongoing professional development plans. Programs at Level 3 or 4 receive enhanced CCDF reimbursement rates compared to Level 1 programs ^[3]. Child Care Aware of America's 2023 data shows Indiana's center-based infant care costs average around $10,000-$11,000 per year, and subsidy reimbursement gaps are real ^[6]. Climbing one PTQ level can mean meaningfully higher reimbursement per subsidized child slot.

If you operate a licensed family child care home in Indiana, the PTQ system applies to you too. Home-based providers can use the family child care CDA track built for that setting.

The ChildCareComp compliance toolkit includes a PTQ documentation checklist that maps CDA evidence items to specific PTQ indicators, which can save you hours when you're preparing for a quality rating assessment.

For context on how licensing connects to program quality more broadly, the cda credential overview covers the national framework.

How do you renew the CDA credential in Indiana?

The CDA credential is valid for 3 years. To renew, you submit through the Council's online portal and pay a renewal fee of $150 as of 2024 ^[1].

For renewal, you need 45 clock hours of continuing education completed during your 3-year credential period, at least one of which must be in the subject area of child abuse recognition and prevention. You also need to have continued working in a child care setting during that period.

Indiana does not require additional state-level renewal steps beyond what the Council requires, but your PTQ participation may require documented professional development hours separate from the CDA renewal requirements. Check your PTQ rating agreement for specifics.

If your CDA credential lapses (meaning you wait more than 1 year past your expiration date without renewing), you have to apply as a new candidate and pay the full $425 fee. Set a calendar reminder 6 months before your expiration date.

Can Indiana home daycare providers get the CDA?

Yes, and this is one of the most useful credential options for home-based providers. The Council's Family Child Care CDA is built specifically for providers working in a home setting with children from birth through age 5, which is the typical population for an Indiana licensed family child care home ^[1].

The requirements are the same: 120 training hours, 480 work experience hours, a Professional Portfolio, and the exam. The Reflective Statements and Resource Collection are assessed against the same 6 Competency Standards, but examples and scenarios in the Standards book are oriented toward home settings rather than classroom centers.

Indiana licenses family child care homes through FSSA Division of Child Services. Licensed homes serving subsidized families are automatically enrolled in PTQ Level 1. The Family Child Care CDA is one of the fastest ways to move from Level 1 to Level 2 without completing a college degree ^[2][3].

If you're looking at curriculum to use in your home setting, solid options exist for every age group. See our guides on preschool curriculum and free preschool curriculum for materials that also document your professional practice for the CDA portfolio.

Where can Indiana providers get CDA training hours?

You have several reliable options for accumulating the 120 required training hours in Indiana:

Ivy Tech Community College. Indiana's statewide community college system offers an Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate and associate degree program. Individual courses transfer directly as CDA training hours. Ivy Tech has campuses or online sections accessible to providers across the state ^[7].

Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC). IAEYC affiliates host workshops, conferences, and webinars throughout the year. Many are free or low-cost for members. Annual conference sessions in particular tend to offer concentrated hours in a short time ^[8].

Indiana's CCR&R network. Child Care Resource and Referral agencies serve every county in Indiana. They offer free and subsidized training, and their staff can help you find training matched to specific CDA subject areas you still need to complete ^[5].

Council-approved online providers. The Council's website maintains a list of approved online training providers. These are useful for filling gaps in specific subject areas, especially if you live in a rural part of Indiana where in-person options are limited.

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. The Indiana University-based institute offers training relevant to inclusive practices and supporting children with disabilities, which maps to several CDA subject areas ^[9].

Keep every certificate, transcript, or letter of completion. Your training documentation goes into your application and your PDS will review it during the verification visit.

What financial help is available for Indiana CDA candidates?

Several funding streams exist, though availability fluctuates with state and federal budget cycles:

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Indiana. The Teaching, Educating, and Caring for Children (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship program is available in Indiana and covers tuition, books, and related costs for early childhood coursework at participating institutions. Scholarship recipients also receive a small bonus upon completion and commit to staying in their current position for a defined period. Eligibility is tied to employment at a licensed Indiana program ^[10].

Indiana workforce incentive payments. Indiana's OECOSL has periodically offered one-time incentive payments to licensed program staff who earn new credentials. Amounts have ranged from several hundred dollars to $1,000. These are funded through CCDF quality set-aside funds and are not guaranteed every year ^[4].

Council fee reduction. The Council for Professional Recognition offers a fee reduction program for candidates who demonstrate financial hardship. Applications for the reduction are submitted through the Council's portal.

CCDF quality funds. Indiana receives federal CCDF funds that include a required quality set-aside. A portion of that money funds training, technical assistance, and sometimes direct financial support for credentials. The CCDF statute requires states to spend at least 9 percent of their CCDF allotment on quality activities ^[11].

If you want to understand how your credential investment connects to reimbursement rates, it helps to understand the full childcare subsidy framework.

How does the CDA affect Indiana child care licensing requirements?

Indiana's child care center licensing regulations are set by FSSA Division of Child Services under Indiana Code 12-17.2 and 470 IAC 3-4 ^[2]. The regulations set minimum staff qualification requirements by classroom type and age group.

For licensed centers, lead teachers in infant and toddler classrooms must have at least a CDA or equivalent when the program is seeking to meet higher quality standards under PTQ. At the base licensing level, Indiana requires that at least one staff member per classroom have documented training in early childhood development, but the specific credential threshold for PTQ Level 2 and above is where the CDA becomes a hard requirement rather than just a preference.

Family child care homes have fewer credential mandates in the base licensing rules, but PTQ participation (required for programs that accept CCDF-subsidized children) introduces qualification scoring that rewards the CDA.

The Indiana licensing rules also require background checks, first aid and CPR certification, and mandatory reporter training for all staff. Those are separate from CDA requirements but are often completed during the same period. Your PDS will expect to see evidence of current first aid and CPR during your verification visit, since it ties directly to the CDA Competency Standard on safe, healthy learning environments.

For a broader picture of what running a licensed center looks like, the overview of what a Daycare center: what it is, what it costs, how it's licensed is a good companion read.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a college degree to get a CDA credential in Indiana?

No. The CDA credential requires a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of training, and 480 hours of work experience. You do not need any college credits. This makes it one of the most accessible formal credentials for child care workers who are early in their careers or working toward higher education over time.

How long does it take to earn a CDA in Indiana?

Most candidates finish in 3 to 6 months after submitting their application. The timeline depends on how many of your 120 training hours are already complete. If you already have all 120 hours before you apply, you can move through the portfolio, exam, and verification visit much faster. The Council's processing time after a successful verification visit is typically 4 to 6 weeks.

What is the CDA exam like?

The CDA exam has 65 multiple-choice questions covering the 8 CDA subject areas. You take it at a Pearson VUE testing center or via remote proctoring. You receive your score immediately after finishing. The exam is scenario-based, meaning questions describe a situation in a child care setting and ask what the best response would be, rather than asking for pure memorization of definitions.

Can I count online training toward my 120 CDA hours in Indiana?

Yes. The Council approves many online training providers, and their courses count toward your 120 hours. You need a completion certificate for each course. Indiana's CCR&R network also offers some online sessions. The key requirement is that the provider or course must be Council-approved; training from unlisted providers can be rejected during your application review.

What is the difference between the preschool CDA and the infant/toddler CDA?

The two credentials are for different age groups and settings. The preschool CDA covers center-based work with children ages 3 to 5. The infant/toddler CDA covers center-based work with children from birth to 36 months. You apply for one setting, and your work experience hours and portfolio examples must match that setting. If you work with both age groups, you would need separate credentials for each, though training hours from one application period can overlap.

Does Indiana's T.E.A.C.H. program cover the CDA application fee?

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Indiana primarily covers tuition and books for coursework at participating colleges, including Ivy Tech courses that count as CDA training hours. Whether it directly covers the $425 Council application fee depends on current scholarship terms. Contact the Indiana T.E.A.C.H. office directly for current coverage details, since program terms change with each funding cycle.

Does a CDA credential expire, and what happens if mine lapses in Indiana?

The CDA credential is valid for 3 years. Renewal costs $150 and requires 45 hours of continuing education. If you let it lapse for more than 1 year past the expiration date, the Council considers it expired and you must reapply as a new candidate and pay the full $425 fee. Your PTQ rating could also be affected if a required credential-holding staff member's credential lapses during a rating period.

How does the CDA affect my pay or reimbursement rate in Indiana?

Holding a CDA supports your program's movement to PTQ Level 2 or 3, and higher PTQ levels get higher CCDF reimbursement rates per subsidized child slot. The difference between PTQ Level 1 and Level 3 reimbursement can be meaningful depending on the age group and region. Staff members may also qualify for workforce incentive payments of up to $1,000 through state programs funded by CCDF quality set-aside funds.

Who is the Professional Development Specialist (PDS) and how do I find one in Indiana?

Your PDS is the credentialed early childhood professional assigned by the Council to conduct your verification visit. When you submit your application, the Council assigns a PDS in your region. You do not choose your own PDS. In Indiana, PDSs are available across the state, though candidates in rural areas may occasionally need to coordinate scheduling further in advance. The Council manages the assignment and initial contact.

Can college courses I already completed count toward my 120 CDA training hours?

Yes. Completed college courses in early childhood education, child development, or related fields count toward your 120 hours if they were completed within the past 10 years. One three-credit college course typically equals 45 clock hours. You document them using official transcripts submitted through the Council's portal. Courses from more than 10 years ago do not count under the Council's current rules.

Is the CDA credential recognized in other states if I move from Indiana?

Yes. The CDA is a nationally recognized credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, not by Indiana specifically. It is recognized in all 50 states. If you move to another state, your CDA follows you and counts toward that state's licensing and quality rating requirements. Renewal requirements remain the same regardless of which state you live in.

What training topics do Indiana providers most often miss in their 120 hours?

The most commonly underrepresented areas, based on guidance from CCR&R trainers, are program management and observing/recording children's behavior. Many providers naturally accumulate hours in child development and health and safety because those topics show up most often in required licensing trainings. Intentionally seeking out workshops on documentation, assessment, and program operations helps ensure you have reasonable coverage across all 8 areas before you apply.

Do Indiana home daycare providers need a CDA to stay licensed?

At base licensing level, no. Indiana's family child care home licensing rules do not require a CDA as a minimum condition of licensure. But if your home participates in PTQ and accepts CCDF-subsidized children, your quality rating scoring includes staff qualifications. Holding a Family Child Care CDA is one of the most direct ways to earn points in the qualifications domain and move from PTQ Level 1 to Level 2.

Sources

1. Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Competency Standards and Application Requirements: CDA requires 120 training hours across 8 subject areas, 480 work experience hours, Professional Portfolio, $425 application fee, and $150 renewal fee; over 1.3 million credentials awarded since 1985
2. Indiana FSSA Division of Child Services, Child Care Licensing Regulations (470 IAC 3-4): Indiana child care center and family child care home licensing requirements under Indiana Code 12-17.2 and 470 IAC 3-4, including staff qualification standards
3. Indiana OECOSL, Early Childhood Workforce Initiatives: Indiana workforce incentive payments to licensed program staff who earn credentials have ranged up to $1,000, funded through CCDF quality set-aside funds
4. Indiana Child Care Resource and Referral Network (IN CCR&R): Indiana's CCR&R agencies serve every county, offer free and subsidized training, and help providers find training matched to CDA subject areas
5. Child Care Aware of America, 2023 State Fact Sheets: Indiana center-based infant care averages approximately $10,000-$11,000 per year; subsidy reimbursement gaps affect family access
6. Ivy Tech Community College, Early Childhood Education Program: Ivy Tech offers ECE certificate and associate degree coursework statewide; individual courses count as CDA training hours
7. Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC): IAEYC affiliates host workshops, conferences, and webinars providing CDA-eligible training hours throughout Indiana
8. Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community: Indiana Institute on Disability and Community offers training in inclusive practices and supports for children with disabilities relevant to CDA subject areas
9. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center, Indiana program overview: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Indiana provides scholarships covering tuition and books for early childhood coursework; eligibility tied to employment at licensed Indiana programs
10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care, CCDF Final Rule: CCDF statute requires states to spend at least 9 percent of their CCDF allotment on quality activities including workforce development and credentialing