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

Last updated 2026-07-09

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

The Child Development Associate credential is the most widely recognized entry-level professional credential in early childhood education in the United States. The Council for Professional Recognition, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., awards it. There are six credential types: center-based preschool, center-based infant/toddler, family childcare, home visitor, adult bilingual/multilingual, and early intervention ^[1].

In Maryland, the CDA sits at Step 4 of the Maryland Child Care Credential (MCCC), a tiered recognition system run by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) ^[2]. That placement matters in two concrete ways.

First, it can affect your pay. Programs that take part in Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program (the old childcare subsidy system) get higher reimbursement rates when staff hold higher MCCC steps, so a CDA feeds directly into a program's revenue ^[3].

Second, MSDE licensing rules for child care centers list a CDA as one of the qualifying credentials for a lead teacher. That makes it more than a nice-to-have. Depending on your role, it can be a legal requirement.

If you run a licensed family childcare home, the CDA is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to meet the professional development MSDE expects over time. Maryland childcare wages are low and turnover runs high, so any credential that opens a pay incentive deserves your attention.

What are the CDA requirements in Maryland?

The requirements come from two places. The Council for Professional Recognition sets the national standard, and MSDE adds Maryland-specific layers through licensing rules and the MCCC. You satisfy both.

The Council's requirements are the same in every state ^[1]:

• 120 hours of formal early childhood education training, covering all eight subject areas the Council defines (child development, curriculum, learning environments, nutrition and health, family and community, program management, professionalism, and observing and recording behavior). At least 10 hours must fall in each subject area.
• 480 hours of experience working with children in the age group that matches your credential type, within the past 5 years.
• A current, signed Professional Portfolio with 17 items including a philosophy statement, family questionnaires, and a resource file.
• A passing score on the CDA Exam, a 65-question computer-based test given at Pearson VUE testing centers.
• A Verification Visit from a CDA Professional Development Specialist, who watches you work with children and reviews your portfolio.

For Maryland, MSDE requires that childcare staff who hold or are working toward Maryland Child Care Credentials complete training through an MSDE-approved provider ^[2]. Most community colleges in the state (Montgomery College, Community College of Baltimore County, Prince George's Community College, and others) run CDA preparation courses that are already MSDE-approved ^[8][9].

Taking training elsewhere? Confirm approval status with MSDE's Office of Child Care before you log a single hour. Unapproved hours will not count toward the MCCC ladder even when they satisfy the Council's standard.

How much does the CDA cost in Maryland?

Expect to spend between $500 and $1,800 total. The size of that range depends almost entirely on how you get your 120 training hours.

Cost item	Typical range
CDA Exam fee (Council)	$425
CDA application/renewal fee (Council)	$425 per 3-year cycle
120-hour training program (community college)	$300-$900
120-hour online CDA training program	$200-$600
Portfolio materials, binders, printing	$30-$75
Professional Development Specialist visit	$0-$150 (varies by specialist)

The Council charges $425 for the initial application, and that covers the exam. Renewal every three years costs $150 on time, or $175 late ^[1]. Training is the big variable. A credit-bearing Early Childhood Education sequence at a Maryland community college costs more than a standalone prep course, but those credits transfer toward an associate or bachelor's degree. If you plan to climb the MCCC ladder past Step 4, paying for credit is the smarter move.

Here is the good part: Maryland has real money on the table. MSDE's Office of Child Care runs the Maryland Child Care Credentialing and Award Program, which pays training grants and cash awards to providers who earn or advance an MCCC step. Awards have historically run from $100 to $500 by step level, though amounts shift with the state budget, so check with MSDE each year ^[2].

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland, run through Maryland Family Network, covers tuition, books, transportation, and sometimes a completion bonus for CDA candidates who work in licensed programs. It has helped thousands of Maryland childcare workers and stays underused ^[4].

Where can you get CDA training in Maryland?

You have four main routes: community college coursework, online CDA prep programs, cohort programs run by childcare resource and referral agencies, and employer-based professional development.

Community colleges are the best choice if you want credits that stack toward a degree. Montgomery College, CCBC (Community College of Baltimore County), Prince George's Community College, and Anne Arundel Community College all run Early Childhood Education sequences approved by MSDE ^[8][9]. You can often finish the 120 hours in one semester by taking two or three classes at once, though most working providers spread it across two semesters.

Online programs from the Council's own preparation pathway, or from vendors like Care Courses, are legitimate and accepted. Verify MSDE approval before you enroll if you want the training to count toward the MCCC. The Council keeps a list of formal training programs on its site ^[1].

Maryland's Child Care Resource Centers (CCRCs) operate county by county. They offer workshops, cohort CDA prep, and sometimes free or subsidized training built for licensed home providers and center staff. Call your local CCRC before you pay for a commercial program.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland is the scholarship program named above. It exists to cover training costs for childcare workers already employed in licensed settings, so if you qualify, there is little reason to pay out of pocket ^[4].

The Council expects you to show intentional planning in your Professional Portfolio. A solid preschool curriculum or a free preschool curriculum gives you concrete examples to cite in your portfolio's resource file.

How does the CDA fit into Maryland's Child Care Credential ladder?

Maryland's Child Care Credential runs from Step 1 through Step 9, and the CDA lands you on Step 4. That is a real jump from the lower steps, which ask only for a high school diploma and basic clock-hour training ^[2].

MCCC Step	Qualification
Step 1	High school diploma or GED
Step 2	90+ clock hours in ECE
Step 3	180+ clock hours in ECE
Step 4	CDA credential
Step 5	Associate degree in ECE or related field
Step 6	Bachelor's degree in ECE or related field
Step 7-9	Advanced degrees and specialized credentials

The step you hold changes your reimbursement rate under Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program. MSDE publishes enhanced rates for programs where lead teachers or providers hold Step 4 or higher ^[3]. The per-child, per-day differential varies by age group and region and gets updated periodically, so pull the current rate table from MSDE's Office of Child Care rather than trusting a fixed number here.

For family childcare home providers, the CDA carries extra weight because it is the only nationally portable credential at Step 4. Move to another state and your CDA travels with you. A Maryland community college certificate may not. That portability is worth weighing when you pick your path.

Does Maryland require a CDA for licensed childcare providers?

Not universally. The answer depends on your setting and role.

For family childcare homes (small homes serve up to 8 children, large homes serve 9 to 12), Maryland's COMAR rules require the provider to complete continuing professional development hours each year but do not mandate the CDA ^[5]. MSDE still pushes the CDA hard as the route to Step 4, and the scholarship incentives are built to steer providers there.

For child care centers, COMAR 13A.16 sets qualification requirements for center directors and lead teachers. A CDA is one of the accepted credentials for a lead teacher in an infant/toddler or preschool classroom, alongside an associate or bachelor's degree with ECE coursework ^[5]. Centers licensed for more than 30 children need a director who holds at least a Step 6 credential (bachelor's degree), so the CDA alone will not qualify someone for a director role at a larger center. For lead teacher positions, it qualifies you outright.

For programs in Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program (the state's CCDF-funded subsidy), extra quality requirements tie to the credential ladder and go past minimum licensing rules ^[3]. When subsidy dollars flow through your program, you have a financial reason to credential your staff even where licensure does not require it.

The CDA is not mandatory for every Maryland provider. Between the licensing benefit for center staff, the subsidy reimbursement bump, and T.E.A.C.H. scholarship support, it is almost always worth pursuing.

How do you apply for the CDA through the Council for Professional Recognition?

The whole application runs online through the Council's website. Here is the sequence:

1. Create an account on the Council's portal at cdacouncil.org. Set up your candidate profile and pick your credential type. 2. Complete your 120 training hours through an approved program. Keep transcripts or certificates of completion. 3. Document your 480 experience hours using the Council's Competency Standards form. Your program director or supervisor signs off. 4. Build your Professional Portfolio. The Council's current "Setting Up for Success" edition walks through each of the 17 required items ^[10]. Finish the portfolio before you submit. 5. Submit the online application and pay the $425 fee. The Council verifies your training documentation. 6. Schedule your CDA Exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Maryland has centers in Baltimore, Rockville, Columbia, and other locations. 7. Arrange a Verification Visit with a CDA Professional Development Specialist. The Council keeps a searchable directory. You schedule the visit yourself; the specialist comes to your worksite, watches your practice for 1.5 to 3 hours, and reviews your portfolio. 8. Receive your credential by mail from the Council, usually 2 to 4 weeks after your visit score posts.

The Council's own materials describe the CDA as "the most recognized credential in early childhood education" and require candidates to demonstrate competency across all eight functional areas of the CDA Competency Standards ^[10]. Timelines vary a lot. Some candidates who arrive with prior training finish in 3 months. Others take 18 months to build experience hours while working part-time. Plan for 9 to 12 months from a cold start.

What financial help is available for CDA candidates in Maryland?

Maryland stacks several supports, and most providers use more than one.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland is the first stop. This scholarship, housed at Maryland Family Network, covers tuition, fees, and books for CDA candidates working at least 30 hours a week in a licensed childcare setting. Recipients also get a transportation stipend and, on completing the credential, a wage supplement or bonus. There is an employer match (usually 10 percent of costs), but most licensed programs qualify ^[4].

Maryland Child Care Credentialing Awards are cash payments from MSDE when you advance a step. Reaching Step 4 (CDA) has historically triggered an award, though the amount changes by program year. Apply through your local Child Care Resource Center ^[2].

CCDF workforce development funds flow through Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program and have paid for provider training subsidies. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) state plan requires Maryland to report on professional development activity, so funding levels appear in the state plan filed with the federal Office of Child Care ^[7].

Pell Grants and financial aid apply when you take CDA training through a community college for credit. A one-semester certificate sequence at a Maryland community college is often fully covered by Pell for low-income students.

For the wider picture of how Maryland's subsidy system works, the childcare subsidy guide covers income eligibility and how providers get paid.

Want one toolkit to track your MSDE compliance steps next to your CDA progress? The ChildCareComp compliance toolkit puts Maryland's licensing deadlines and credential requirements in one place.

How do you renew a CDA credential in Maryland?

A CDA expires every three years from the issue date. You renew directly through cdacouncil.org, not through MSDE.

Renewal takes 45 clock hours of continuing education in early childhood education completed inside the three-year credential period. In Maryland, pull those hours from MSDE-approved training if you want them to count toward your MCCC standing too. No exam retake, no second Verification Visit for a standard renewal ^[1].

The fee is $150 if you submit before your expiration date. Let it lapse and it rises to $175. Wait too long and you may have to reapply as a new candidate instead of renewing, which means paying $425 again and possibly re-documenting your experience hours.

One practical tip. Maryland's CCRC system often tracks credential expiration dates for the providers it serves. If you work with a local resource center, ask them to send a reminder. A three-year cycle is easy to lose track of when you are running a program day to day.

For your MCCC standing, moving from Step 4 (CDA) to Step 5 takes an associate degree in ECE or a related field, more than a CDA renewal. If you are taking coursework toward that degree while working, the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship still applies.

How does Maryland's CDA landscape compare to neighboring states?

Maryland's mix of the MCCC ladder, T.E.A.C.H. scholarships, and subsidy reimbursement incentives holds up well against its neighbors. No state in the region has this figured out perfectly.

State	CDA required for licensing?	Wage/rate incentive tied to CDA?	T.E.A.C.H. available?
Maryland	No (encouraged; required for some lead teacher roles)	Yes, via MCCC/subsidy rate differential	Yes
Virginia	No	Partial, via Quality Rating system	Yes
Pennsylvania	No	Partial, via Keystone STARS	Yes
DC	No	Yes, via QRIS and workforce grants	Yes
Delaware	No	Yes, via STARS	Yes

The Council for Professional Recognition reports more than 500,000 active CDAs across the United States, with roughly 50,000 new credentials issued each year ^[1]. Maryland's childcare workforce runs around 50,000 workers according to state workforce data, so even partial CDA penetration represents a large professional development pipeline.

Child Care Aware of America's annual "Demanding Change" report puts the national median hourly wage for childcare workers at $13.71 in 2022. Maryland wages sit somewhat above that because of the state's higher cost of living, but still well below what the work demands ^[6]. The CDA will not close that gap by itself. The credentialing award, the subsidy rate bump, and the T.E.A.C.H. bonus together add up to a few thousand dollars in the first year for a provider who reaches Step 4.

What resources does MSDE provide for CDA candidates?

MSDE's Office of Child Care is the hub for Maryland-specific support. Its website lists approved training providers, the current MCCC requirements, and the credentialing award application ^[2]. MSDE also publishes the COMAR regulations that govern licensing. Read those directly rather than leaning on summaries.

Your local Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is often more useful than MSDE's central office for day-to-day questions. CCRCs give free technical assistance to licensed providers, will review your portfolio in progress, and often host CDA cohort groups where candidates work through the process together. Maryland has CCRCs in every region; MSDE's site has a locator.

Maryland Family Network runs the T.E.A.C.H. program and the LOCATE Child Care database, the state's licensed provider lookup tool. It is a separate organization from MSDE but tied closely to state childcare policy ^[4].

The Council for Professional Recognition is the definitive source for exam prep materials, the current Competency Standards, and the Pearson VUE test center locator ^[1].

Want a broader view of what a compliant daycare center takes? MSDE's licensing checklist documents come through the Office of Child Care and are worth reading next to the CDA requirements so you see how the credential fits the larger compliance picture.

The ChildCareComp compliance toolkit ties Maryland-specific licensing deadlines to CDA renewal tracking, which helps once you are credentialed and need to keep everything current across the three-year cycle.

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland require a CDA for home daycare providers?

Maryland does not mandate the CDA as a condition of licensure for family childcare home providers, but MSDE incentivizes it heavily. The CDA places you at Step 4 of the Maryland Child Care Credential ladder, which triggers a credentialing cash award and can raise your Child Care Scholarship reimbursement rate. Most licensed home providers who take their programs seriously pursue it within the first few years.

How long does it take to get a CDA in Maryland?

Plan on 9 to 12 months from a cold start. The 120 training hours fit into one or two semesters at a community college or through an online program. The 480 experience hours take the longest if you work part-time with children. Candidates who already have experience and prior training sometimes finish the full process in 3 to 4 months.

Can I get my CDA for free in Maryland?

You can get close. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland covers tuition, books, and transportation for eligible candidates in licensed programs, and Pell Grants can cover community college tuition for low-income students. The Council's $425 application fee is not covered by T.E.A.C.H., but MSDE's credentialing award (historically $100 to $500 for reaching Step 4) offsets part of it. Budget $200 to $425 out of pocket unless you stack every grant.

What is the CDA exam like and where can I take it in Maryland?

The CDA Exam is a 65-question computer-based test given at Pearson VUE testing centers. It covers child development, curriculum, health and safety, family relationships, and program management. Maryland has Pearson VUE sites in Baltimore, Rockville, Columbia, and other metro areas. The Council recommends the current CDA Competency Standards book as your main study guide. Most candidates pass on the first attempt, but the Council does not publicly report pass rates.

What is the Maryland Child Care Credential (MCCC) and how is it different from the CDA?

The MCCC is Maryland's own nine-step recognition ladder run by MSDE. The CDA is a national credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. They are separate systems that overlap: earning a CDA automatically qualifies you for Step 4 of the MCCC. You apply to the Council for the CDA and to MSDE (through your local CCRC) for the MCCC step recognition and the award payment.

Does a CDA count toward a college degree in Maryland?

The CDA itself is not college credit, but community colleges including Montgomery College and CCBC accept CDA training hours as evidence of prior learning and may award credit toward an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. This varies by school, so ask the ECE department directly before you enroll. Taking your 120 training hours for college credit instead of through a standalone prep course is the smarter path when a degree is your goal.

What is T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland and who qualifies?

T.E.A.C.H. is a scholarship program run by Maryland Family Network that pays tuition, books, transportation, and a completion bonus for childcare workers pursuing ECE credentials. To qualify, you generally need to work at least 30 hours per week in a licensed Maryland childcare program and meet income criteria. Your employer must agree to a small match (usually 10 percent). Applications go through Maryland Family Network, not MSDE.

How much does a CDA renewal cost and what does it require?

Renewal costs $150 if you submit before expiration, or $175 if late. You need 45 clock hours of continuing education in early childhood education completed within the three-year credential period. No new exam or Verification Visit for a standard renewal. In Maryland, use MSDE-approved training for those 45 hours so they count toward your MCCC standing as well as the Council's renewal requirement.

Can a CDA qualify me to be a lead teacher in a Maryland childcare center?

Yes. Maryland's COMAR regulations (13A.16) list a CDA as one of the accepted qualifications for a lead teacher in an infant/toddler or preschool classroom in a licensed center. It does not qualify someone to be a center director at a program with more than 30 children; that role needs at least a bachelor's degree (Step 6). For lead teacher roles, the CDA is a recognized, legally accepted credential under Maryland law.

Is there a bilingual CDA option in Maryland, and does it count the same?

Yes. The Council offers an Adult Bilingual/Multilingual setting CDA for providers who work with children whose home language is not English. It counts as the same Step 4 on Maryland's MCCC ladder and qualifies for the same credentialing awards and subsidy rate benefits as a standard CDA. Given Maryland's diverse population, this credential type is in demand, and T.E.A.C.H. scholarships apply to bilingual candidates too.

What happens if my CDA expires before I renew it?

If your CDA lapses, the renewal fee rises from $150 to $175 for a short window. Wait too long and the Council may require you to reapply as a new candidate, which means paying the full $425 application fee and possibly re-documenting all your experience hours. Your MCCC Step 4 recognition in Maryland also lapses once your underlying credential goes inactive, which can hit your subsidy reimbursement rate.

How does having a CDA affect my pay in Maryland?

Directly, your employer sets your wage; the CDA does not raise it automatically. Indirectly, it can. Programs in Maryland's Child Care Scholarship get higher reimbursement rates when lead staff hold Step 4 or higher, which gives owners a financial reason to pay credentialed staff more. The T.E.A.C.H. scholarship includes a completion bonus, and MSDE's credentialing award provides a one-time cash payment when you advance a step.

Where do I apply for the Maryland Child Care Credentialing Award after earning my CDA?

Apply through your local Child Care Resource Center, not MSDE's central office. Your CCRC verifies your new MCCC step, records it in the state system, and processes the award application for you. Award amounts vary by program year and step level, so ask your CCRC for the current payment schedule before you apply.

Sources

1. Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Credential Overview: CDA credential types, 120-hour training requirement, 480-hour experience requirement, $425 application fee, $150 renewal fee, 65-question computer-based exam format
2. Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Child Care (Maryland Child Care Credential program): Maryland Child Care Credential nine-step ladder; CDA at Step 4; MSDE-approved training requirement; credentialing award amounts
3. Maryland State Department of Education, Child Care Scholarship Program: Enhanced reimbursement rates for programs with Step 4 or higher credentialed staff; quality requirements tied to the credential ladder
4. Maryland Family Network, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Maryland: T.E.A.C.H. scholarship covers tuition, books, transportation, and completion bonus for CDA candidates working in licensed Maryland programs; LOCATE Child Care database
5. Maryland Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Title 13A Subtitle 16 - Child Care Centers: Lead teacher qualification requirements in Maryland licensed child care centers; CDA accepted as qualifying credential; director qualifications for centers over 30 children; family childcare continuing education requirements
6. Child Care Aware of America, Demanding Change: Repairing Our Child Care System (2023): National median hourly wage for childcare workers was $13.71 in 2022; Maryland wages above national median due to cost of living
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care, Child Care and Development Fund: CCDF state plan requirements for professional development reporting; workforce development funding flows through state CCDF systems
8. Montgomery College, Early Childhood Education Department: Maryland community college offering MSDE-approved Early Childhood Education sequences that satisfy CDA 120-hour training requirement
9. Community College of Baltimore County, Early Childhood Education Program: MSDE-approved ECE program at CCBC; course sequences applicable toward CDA training hours and associate degree
10. Council for Professional Recognition, Setting Up for Success: CDA Competency Standards (current edition): Professional Portfolio requires 17 items; CDA described as 'the most recognized credential in early childhood education'; competency across eight functional areas