Last updated 2026-07-09
TL;DR
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a national early childhood certification issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. In New York, it satisfies OCFS staff qualification requirements for group childcare centers and is recognized under the state's CCAP subsidy system. You need 120 hours of formal education, 480 hours of work experience, and a $425 application fee.
What is the CDA credential and why does it matter in New York?
The Child Development Associate credential is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, a Washington D.C. nonprofit that has awarded CDAs since 1975. It is the most widely held early childhood credential in the United States, with more than 800,000 awarded as of the Council's most recent reporting. [1]
In New York, the CDA matters for one practical reason: the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) counts it toward staff qualification requirements for licensed group family childcare homes and daycare centers. If you are a lead teacher or group teacher in a center licensed under 18 NYCRR Part 418, the CDA can satisfy the education requirement for certain staff roles depending on the age group you serve. [2]
New York also ties the CDA to subsidy eligibility. Under the state's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), providers who hold a CDA or higher credential can qualify for higher quality tiers under the New York State Quality Rating and Improvement System (QUALITYstarsNY). Higher tiers generally mean higher reimbursement rates when you serve subsidy families. [3]
One more reason to care. Some New York City-funded and state pre-K programs list the CDA as an acceptable minimum credential for assistant teachers when an applicant does not yet hold an associate degree. So even if you plan to pursue a full degree eventually, the CDA can get you working in a better-paying role while you study.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a CDA in New York?
The Council for Professional Recognition sets national eligibility requirements. New York does not add separate state prerequisites on top of them. Here is what you need before you submit an application.
Education. 120 clock hours of formal childcare education. Those hours must cover eight subject areas: planning a safe and healthy learning environment, advancing children's physical and intellectual development, supporting social and emotional development, building productive family and program relationships, managing an effective program, maintaining a commitment to professionalism, observing and recording children's behavior, and understanding principles of child development and learning. You do not need a degree. Credits from a community college course work if the syllabus covers those areas, and so do approved training programs from CCR&R agencies like Child Care Solutions in Central New York. [1]
Work experience. 480 hours of experience working with children in the age group you are applying for (infant/toddler, preschool, or family childcare setting). The hours must be within the past five years. A full-time position at 35 hours per week gets you there in about 14 weeks.
Age and education floor. You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.
That is it. No state test, no New York-specific form. The application goes directly to the Council.
What are the CDA credential types and which one applies to your setting in NY?
The Council offers several credential types. The one you apply for depends on the setting where you work, not on any New York rule.
| CDA Type | Age Group | Typical NY Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Infant/Toddler | Birth to 36 months | Licensed infant room, group family childcare home |
| Preschool | 3 to 5 years | Licensed daycare center, pre-K program |
| Family Child Care | Birth to 5 in a home | Registered or licensed family daycare home |
| Home Visitor | Birth to 5, home-based | Early Head Start home visiting |
| Bilingual Specialization | Any age | Add-on to any of the above |
Most New York childcare workers apply for either the Preschool or Family Child Care CDA. If your center is licensed for mixed-age groups, pick the setting where you spend the majority of your hours. The Council does not let you hold two CDAs at once, but you can apply for a second type once your first is renewed or after a waiting period. [1]
The Bilingual Specialization is worth noting for New York specifically. New York City has one of the highest concentrations of English Language Learner children in the country, and bilingual staff are in real demand. The add-on requires 80 additional training hours in bilingual or second-language methodology, and it carries real professional weight in NYC-funded programs.
How much does the CDA credential cost in New York?
The direct cost from the Council is $425 for a first-time application as of their current fee schedule. Renewal every three years costs $150. [1]
That is only part of the picture. The 120 hours of required training is the bigger financial variable.
Community college coursework in New York runs roughly $200 to $600 per three-credit course, depending on whether you qualify for in-state tuition at a SUNY or CUNY school. You will likely need three to four courses to cover all eight subject areas, so budget $600 to $2,400 for training alone if you go the college route.
CDA-specific training programs offered by Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies across New York are often subsidized and sometimes free to workers in licensed settings. Contact your regional CCR&R (there are 30 across the state) to ask about funded training slots before you pay out of pocket.
Training scholarships. New York's Child Care Training Scholarship Program, administered through OCFS, can cover training and some application costs for eligible childcare workers. The program has had funding gaps in past years, so check current availability directly through your regional CCR&R.
Here is the bottom line. If you piece it together with subsidized training and a scholarship, your out-of-pocket cost might be $425 or less. If you go through a paid college program with no assistance, you could spend $2,000 to $3,000 all in.
How do you apply for a CDA credential step by step?
The Council moved its entire application process online in 2013. Here is how it works now.
Step 1: Create a Council account. Go to cdacouncil.org and create a Council for Professional Recognition account. This is where you submit documents and track your application status. [1]
Step 2: Complete your 120 training hours. Gather documentation showing you covered all eight subject areas. Certificates of completion, college transcripts, and official letters from training providers all work. Keep originals.
Step 3: Log your 480 hours of work experience. Your director or supervisor completes the Professional Development (PD) Specialist verification. If you work in a family childcare home, you will need someone from your CCR&R or licensing agency to fill this role.
Step 4: Compile your Professional Portfolio. This is the part most applicants underestimate. The portfolio contains six competency statements (brief essays describing your work with children) plus supporting documentation for each, a Family Questionnaire with responses from at least one family you serve, and a Resource Collection of reference documents tied to each subject area. The Council provides detailed instructions. Plan to spend 15 to 20 hours building this.
Step 5: Pay the $425 fee and submit. Once your portfolio is ready and your training hours are verified, you pay online and submit everything through the Council's portal.
Step 6: Verification Visit. A Council-approved PD Specialist observes you working with children for at least two hours and reviews your portfolio in a structured setting. They score your competency statements and send a recommendation to the Council.
Step 7: Receive your CDA. If you pass, the Council issues your credential. The whole process from first application to receiving your certificate usually takes three to six months, depending on how quickly you build your portfolio and schedule your verification visit.
How does the CDA satisfy New York OCFS staff qualification requirements?
New York licenses several types of childcare programs under different regulatory parts. The CDA's standing changes by program type.
Licensed Group Family Childcare Homes (18 NYCRR Part 417). The assistant provider in a group family home must meet education requirements. A CDA in the family childcare setting satisfies the pre-service or in-service training requirements under this part, depending on your role. [2]
Licensed Childcare Centers (18 NYCRR Part 418-1). For teacher qualification in a center serving children ages three to five, OCFS requires at minimum a high school diploma plus completion of an approved training program. A CDA can serve as that training credential. For lead teacher roles in programs serving children under two, requirements are higher and the CDA alone is often not enough without added college credits.
School-Age Childcare Programs (18 NYCRR Part 414). The CDA is used less often here, but it is still accepted as evidence of early childhood training for director qualification in some contexts.
OCFS posts the current staff qualification charts in its licensing regulations and on its website. The tables are organized by age group and spell out the minimum education level for each staff position. Always check the current version, since OCFS has revised these requirements in recent years. [2]
One caution. A CDA gets you to the floor of state requirements. It does not automatically qualify you for programs that require an AAS or bachelor's degree, like New York City's publicly funded pre-K through the Department of Education.
Does a CDA affect your pay or subsidy reimbursement rate in New York?
Yes, in two ways.
First, QUALITYstarsNY, New York's voluntary quality rating system, awards points to programs where staff hold credentials. A CDA earns points toward the staff qualifications domain. Moving up a star level in QUALITYstarsNY connects to higher reimbursement rates when you enroll children whose families get childcare assistance through CCAP. [3]
Child Care Aware of America's 2023 annual report found that New York's average childcare subsidy reimbursement rates stay below the 75th percentile of market rates in most regions, which limits what providers can earn even with quality bonuses. That gap is real and should factor into your business planning. [4]
Second, holding a CDA affects your own earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for childcare workers nationally was $30,290 in May 2023. Workers with formal credentials, including the CDA, tend to cluster in higher-wage program types like Head Start and state-funded pre-K, which pay above that median in New York. [5]
For family childcare home providers, the CDA is one of the factors that can qualify you for higher payment rates from some New York City agency contracts and from federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) reimbursement schedules. [6] If you serve subsidy families and you are not yet credentialed, the return on the $425 application fee is often earned back in the first month of higher reimbursements.
How do you renew the CDA credential in New York?
CDA credentials are valid for three years. Renewal requires 45 hours of continuing education (CEs) completed during the three-year period, plus a $150 renewal fee paid to the Council. [1]
The 45 CE hours do not have to cover specific topics the way the original 120 hours do, but they must relate to early childhood education or child development. New York CCR&R agencies, community colleges, NAEYC conferences, and online platforms like the Council's own learning portal all count.
New York does not require the CDA to be renewed through a state agency. The whole renewal happens through the Council's online portal, just like the initial application.
If your CDA expires, you can apply for reinstatement within a set window (currently within five years of expiration) by completing additional training hours and paying a reinstatement fee. If it has been more than five years, you start over as a first-time applicant. Do not let it lapse if you can help it.
A practical note. Set a calendar reminder 12 months before your expiration date. Collecting 45 CE hours is easy if you spread it over three years. It gets stressful if you realize with two months left that you still need 40 hours.
What New York-specific resources help with CDA training and costs?
New York has a denser network of early childhood training support than most states. Here are the resources that actually move the needle.
Child Care Resource and Referral agencies. There are 30 CCR&R agencies across New York, organized under the Child Care Resource Network. Most offer CDA-aligned training, some of it free or subsidized. Find your regional agency through the New York State CCR&R Network. [7]
New York State's Child Care Training Scholarship. OCFS runs a training scholarship that can cover the Council's application fee and training costs for eligible workers. Availability depends on the state budget cycle. Check with your regional CCR&R for current open enrollment.
SUNY and CUNY Early Childhood programs. Nearly every SUNY community college has an Early Childhood Education program, and the coursework matches CDA subject areas. CUNY's system includes LaGuardia Community College and Bronx Community College, which both have strong ECE tracks. In-state tuition rates, TAP grants, and federal Pell Grants can make this route nearly free for low-income workers.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood New York. T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) scholarships are built for childcare workers pursuing credentials and degrees while employed. The New York program covers tuition, books, travel, and in some cases a bonus upon completion. As of 2024, T.E.A.C.H. New York was operational and accepting applications through Child Care Solutions and other CCR&R partners. [8]
If you plan to pursue a full associate or bachelor's degree eventually, starting with the CDA through T.E.A.C.H. funding is a sensible path. You get credentialed faster, may get a pay bump, and the training hours often apply as college credits at SUNY/CUNY programs.
How does the CDA credential compare to New York's other early childhood credentials?
The CDA sits at the base of New York's early childhood career ladder, but it is not the only credential in play. Here is how the main options compare.
| Credential | Issuer | Hours Required | Cost | Degree Required | NY OCFS Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA | Council for Professional Recognition | 120 training + 480 work | $425 app fee | No | Yes, for many roles |
| New York State Core Body of Knowledge Certificate | OCFS / CCR&R | 15 to 45 hours | Usually free | No | Yes, for in-service training |
| AAS in Early Childhood Education | SUNY/CUNY | ~60 college credits | $3,000, $15,000 | No (is the degree) | Yes, higher roles |
| New York State Teaching Certificate (Early Childhood, Birth, Grade 2) | NYSED | Bachelor's + student teaching | $2,000, $60,000+ | Yes | Yes, for lead teacher in funded pre-K |
For most family childcare providers and center assistant teachers just starting out, the CDA is the right first credential. It is faster than a degree, cheaper than most college programs, portable across state lines (it works if you move), and respected by OCFS. The AAS degree is the logical next step for lead teacher and director roles. [9]
For a deeper look at how the CDA works at the national level before getting into New York specifics, the general cda credential overview covers the Council's full framework.
If you are operating or planning a full licensed center in New York and need to see how all the staff qualification rules fit together, the ChildCareComp compliance toolkit maps staff credential requirements to each OCFS-licensed program type, which saves a lot of back-and-forth with your licensor.
What happens during the CDA verification visit?
The verification visit is the part of the process most applicants dread, mostly because they misunderstand it. It is not a surprise inspection. You schedule it yourself.
You will work with a Council-approved PD Specialist, a trained early childhood professional designated by the Council. In New York, PD Specialists are often faculty from local community colleges, CCR&R trainers, or experienced directors who have completed Council training. Your regional CCR&R can help you find one.
During the visit, the PD Specialist observes you working directly with children for at least two hours. They use a structured observation tool tied to the Council's six competency areas. After the observation, you sit together and discuss your portfolio, especially your competency statements.
According to the Council for Professional Recognition's candidate handbook, the PD Specialist is looking for evidence that your practice reflects the six CDA competency goals in action, more than in writing. [1] So if your competency statement says you create developmentally appropriate environments, the two-hour observation should include actual evidence of that.
Most applicants who do not pass on the first try stumble on one of two things: their portfolio competency statements are too vague, or their Resource Collection is incomplete. Build those sections carefully before you schedule your visit. There is no shame in asking a colleague or your CCR&R trainer to read your portfolio for gaps before the specialist sees it.
Can CDA training hours count toward a college degree in New York?
Sometimes, and it is worth asking directly before you assume the answer.
Several SUNY community colleges have articulation agreements that grant college credit for a completed CDA. Corning Community College, Monroe Community College, and Erie Community College have all offered credit-for-prior-learning pathways for CDA holders in the past, though policies change and should be confirmed with the college's registrar.
New York's Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) policy under the SUNY system pushes member institutions to evaluate non-traditional credentials for credit equivalency. A completed CDA, especially when paired with documented 120 training hours in specific subject areas, often maps to three to six college credits in an Early Childhood Education program. [9]
The CUNY system has a similar framework. LaGuardia Community College in Queens, which has one of the largest ECE programs in New York City, has historically offered credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
This matters financially. If you can convert your CDA into six college credits, you are roughly one semester closer to your AAS without paying tuition for those credits again. On a CUNY tuition schedule, six credits costs around $1,000 to $1,500. That is real money.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CDA credential required to work in a daycare in New York?
No, the CDA is not universally required. New York OCFS sets staff qualification requirements by role and age group, and some positions (particularly assistant roles) can be filled by a high school graduate with required in-service training hours. But a CDA can satisfy the training component for many teacher positions and is required or preferred by some NYC-funded programs and Head Start agencies.
How long does it take to get a CDA in New York?
Most applicants finish in three to six months. The main variables are how long your 120 training hours take to complete and how quickly you build your Professional Portfolio. If you are enrolled in a structured CDA training cohort through a CCR&R agency, programs usually run 12 to 20 weeks. Scheduling the verification visit adds a few weeks on top of that.
How much does the CDA credential cost in New York?
The Council's application fee is $425. Training to meet the 120-hour requirement adds anywhere from nothing (if you use free CCR&R-subsidized training) to $600, $2,400 for community college coursework. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood New York scholarship can cover tuition, books, and in some cases the application fee for eligible workers, bringing your out-of-pocket cost close to zero.
Does New York accept the CDA for the childcare subsidy (CCAP) provider requirements?
Yes. New York's CCAP system recognizes the CDA as a staff qualification factor under QUALITYstarsNY. Providers at higher star levels, which CDA-holding staff help achieve, qualify for higher subsidy reimbursement rates when serving families receiving childcare assistance. That makes the credential directly relevant to your revenue as a provider.
Can I get my CDA online in New York?
The application and portfolio submission process is entirely online through the Council's portal. Your 120 training hours can include online courses, as long as they cover the eight required subject areas. The one in-person requirement is the verification visit, where a PD Specialist must observe you working with children in your actual childcare setting for at least two hours.
Does a CDA qualify me to be a lead teacher in a New York daycare center?
It depends on the age group and program type. For preschool classrooms in a licensed center under 18 NYCRR Part 418-1, a CDA can satisfy the minimum education requirement for a teacher position in some contexts. For lead teacher roles in programs serving infants and toddlers, or in NYC-DOE pre-K programs, a CDA alone is usually not enough and an AAS or higher degree is expected.
How do I renew my CDA credential in New York?
Renewal happens entirely through the Council for Professional Recognition's online portal. You need 45 hours of continuing education completed during the three-year credentialing period and a $150 renewal fee. New York does not require a separate state renewal. If your CDA lapses, you can reinstate it within five years by completing additional hours and paying a reinstatement fee.
What is the difference between a CDA and a New York State Teaching Certificate?
The CDA is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It requires 120 training hours and no college degree. A New York State Teaching Certificate in Early Childhood (Birth, Grade 2) is issued by NYSED, requires a bachelor's degree plus student teaching, and lets you teach in public schools and higher-funded pre-K programs. The CDA is the entry point; the state certificate is the full professional license.
Are there free CDA training programs in New York?
Yes. Many of New York's 30 CCR&R agencies offer subsidized or free CDA-aligned training funded through state and federal childcare block grant dollars. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood New York scholarship also covers tuition and books for eligible workers. Contact your regional CCR&R agency before paying for any training program.
Does the CDA transfer if I move to another state?
Yes. The CDA is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It is recognized in all 50 states as evidence of early childhood training, though each state's licensing authority decides exactly which roles it satisfies. If you move from New York to, say, Florida or Texas, your CDA stays valid and can often be applied toward the new state's staff qualification requirements without starting over.
What is the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship and how does it help with the CDA in New York?
T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is a scholarship program for working childcare professionals pursuing credentials and degrees. In New York, it is administered through CCR&R agencies and covers tuition, books, travel, and sometimes a bonus once you complete your CDA or degree. Eligibility usually requires working in a licensed childcare setting and meeting income thresholds.
How many CDA credentials have been awarded nationally?
The Council for Professional Recognition reported more than 800,000 CDAs awarded as of its most recent data. The CDA is the most widely held entry-level credential in the U.S. early childhood field. Exact totals by state are not published separately by the Council, but New York consistently ranks among the top states by total holders given the size of its childcare workforce.
Can a family childcare home provider in New York get a CDA?
Yes. The Family Child Care CDA is built for providers who work with children from birth to age five in a home setting. It has the same 120 training hours and 480 work experience hours requirement as other CDA types. For New York registered or licensed family daycare home providers, holding this credential supports QUALITYstarsNY star ratings and can improve subsidy reimbursement rates.
Sources
- Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Candidate Handbook: CDA eligibility requires 120 training hours, 480 work experience hours, high school diploma, and $425 application fee; renewal is $150 every three years; more than 800,000 CDAs awarded.
- QUALITYstarsNY, New York State Quality Rating and Improvement System: CDA credential earns points in the staff qualifications domain of QUALITYstarsNY, with higher star levels tied to higher CCAP reimbursement rates.
- Child Care Aware of America, Demanding Change: Repairing Our Child Care System (2023): New York's average childcare subsidy reimbursement rates remain below the 75th percentile of market rates in most regions.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Childcare Workers (SOC 39-9011), May 2023: Median annual wage for childcare workers nationally was $30,290 in May 2023.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for New York: CCDF subsidy reimbursement schedules recognize provider credentials including the CDA as factors in payment rates.
- New York State Child Care Resource Network, CCR&R Agency Locator: There are 30 CCR&R agencies across New York providing CDA-aligned training, often subsidized for workers in licensed settings.
- T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood National Center, State Program Directory: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood New York provides scholarships covering tuition, books, travel, and completion bonuses for childcare workers pursuing the CDA and college degrees.
- State University of New York, Credit for Prior Learning Policy: SUNY policy encourages member institutions to evaluate credentials including the CDA for college credit equivalency under Credit for Prior Learning frameworks.