CDA credentialing: what it is, what it costs, and how to get it

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is CDA credentialing and who offers it?

The Child Development Associate credential is the most widely recognized entry-level credential in early childhood education in the United States. The Council for Professional Recognition awards it. The Council is a nonprofit that has run the CDA National Credentialing Program since 1975. ^[1]

The credential covers direct work with children from birth through age five. There are several types depending on where you work: Infant/Toddler (center-based), Preschool (center-based), Family Child Care, Home Visitor, and the Bilingual Specialization (which attaches to any of the above). Each type shares the same core requirements, but the competency statements and portfolio evidence you submit have to match your setting.

One thing trips people up. The CDA is a credential, not a degree. No community college or university issues it. Some colleges accept it as credit toward an associate's degree, but only the Council grants the CDA itself. If your state requires a specific college credential for licensing or a ratio exemption, check whether the CDA satisfies that requirement. It often does for entry-level roles. It often doesn't for lead teacher or director roles.

Roughly 500,000 CDA credentials have been issued since the program started, according to the Council for Professional Recognition. ^[1]

What are the CDA credential requirements?

The Council's requirements break into four parts, and you have to meet all four before you apply.

120 hours of professional development. These hours have to cover all 8 CDA Subject Areas: planning a safe and healthy environment, advancing physical and intellectual competence, supporting social and emotional development, building productive relationships with families, managing an effective program, maintaining a commitment to professionalism, observing and recording children's behavior, and understanding principles of child development. At least 10 of the 120 hours must address the needs of children with disabilities. ^[2]

480 hours of work experience. You need at least 480 hours working with children in the age group that matches your credential type, earned within the past three years. Applying for the Family Child Care CDA? Those 480 hours have to come from a family child care setting.

Current Infant/Child CPR certification. It has to come from an in-person class, not an online-only course. The Council's official materials document this. ^[2]

A Professional Portfolio. This is the big one. The portfolio has three sections: your 6 Competency Goal Statements (written reflections in your own words), 17 Family Questionnaires completed by families you serve, and a Resource Collection with items like sample lesson plans, health and safety documentation, community resource lists, and a professional philosophy statement. The portfolio doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to be complete.

After you submit, the Council assigns a local Child Development Specialist (CDS) who runs a two-hour observation in your work setting and a Verification Visit to review your portfolio. Both happen on-site. The CDS isn't an examiner you pass or fail in one test, but they do confirm your competency statements match what they see you do.

How much does CDA credentialing cost?

The Council's current application fee is $425 for the standard process (center-based preschool, infant/toddler, or family child care). The Bilingual Specialization adds $125. ^[3]

That $425 covers the application review, the CDS observation visit, and the credential itself if awarded. Here's what it does not cover:

• Training. A formal CDA course at a community college or through a Child Care Resource and Referral agency runs from free (if your state or CCDF funding covers it) to $300-$600 for a structured program. Many states have scholarship programs built specifically for CDA training.
• The Competency Standards book (sometimes called the CDA National Credentialing Program book). The Council sells these for around $35-45 depending on edition and setting. University library systems sometimes stock them.
• CPR class fees, usually $50-$100 depending on the provider.

Budget $500-$700 out of pocket if you're paying for everything yourself. Budget as little as $425 if your state's professional development fund covers training. Child Care Aware of America tracks scholarship availability by state, and many states use CCDF quality funds to cover CDA fees outright. ^[4]

The Council does not publish income-based sliding scale fees. If cost is a barrier, call your state's Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency first. That's the fastest path to financial help.

How long does the CDA credentialing process take?

There's no single answer, because the timeline depends almost entirely on you. The application window opens once you meet the prerequisites. Getting to that point takes the most time.

Starting from scratch with zero training hours, stacking up 120 hours of professional development while working full-time usually takes 6 to 12 months. Some CDA programs run as 10-week cohorts that deliver all 120 hours in roughly 3 months if you go hard. Others are self-paced online courses people drag out for two years.

Once you submit the application and $425 fee, the stretch from submission to a CDS observation visit is usually 8 to 12 weeks, though it swings by region and CDS availability. ^[3]

After the observation and Verification Visit, the Council reviews everything and issues a decision. Awards typically land 4 to 8 weeks after the visit.

Realistic planning range: start today with a clear schedule, and plan for 9 to 15 months total from first training session to credential in hand. Already have some of the 120 hours documented? You can compress that a lot.

What is the CDA National Credentialing Program book and do you need it?

The phrase "CDA National Credentialing Program book" usually points to one of two Council-published documents: the Competency Standards books (a separate edition for each setting, like Infant/Toddler CDA Competency Standards, Preschool CDA Competency Standards, and Family Child Care CDA Competency Standards) or the older monograph called "The CDA National Credentialing Program."

You genuinely need the Competency Standards book for your setting. It defines the 13 Functional Areas, the 6 Competency Goals, and the specific indicators the CDS uses when observing you. Your portfolio Competency Goal Statements have to be written against the language in that book. Write them without it and you'll almost certainly miss required elements.

The Council sells current editions directly at cdacouncil.org for around $35-45. Some CCR&R agencies lend them out. Some community college libraries stock them. Enroll in a formal CDA training program and the book is often bundled into the fee.

Older editions still float around on eBay and secondhand sites. Be careful. The Council updated the Competency Standards in 2013 and has made incremental revisions since. A version that predates your application year can cause problems with your portfolio. When in doubt, order straight from the Council or confirm the edition year with your trainer.

How does the CDA affect your state daycare license and ratio requirements?

This is where the CDA gets practical for center and home daycare operators. Most states accept the CDA as meeting the educational qualification for lead teacher or assistant teacher positions, and some states allow better staff-to-child ratios when credentialed staff are present. ^[5]

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), administered by the Office of Child Care at the Administration for Children and Families, pushes states to use quality rating systems (QRIS) that reward CDA holders with higher quality ratings. Higher ratings often mean higher reimbursement rates for subsidy-funded children. ^[6] If your program serves children using childcare subsidy funds, a CDA on staff can raise your reimbursement rate in a way you'll actually feel.

Ratio impacts swing hard by state. A few examples to show the range:

• Michigan: the CDA or equivalent counts toward educational requirements for center staff, and Michigan's licensing rules reference training qualifications directly in the center standards. See michigan daycare licensing for state-specific detail.
• Texas: a CDA meets the minimum qualification for a lead caregiver at many center-based programs and factors into the Texas Rising Star quality rating.
• California: the CDA alone does not satisfy the Title 22 permit requirement, but it can count toward the hours needed for a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit.

Safe rule: before you count on the CDA to satisfy a specific requirement, pull your state's actual licensing regulations and read the language. Never assume what one state accepts applies to yours.

For the full picture of what your state license requires, the daycare center overview walks through the licensing framework.

What happens during the CDA observation and Verification Visit?

These are two separate events, though a CDS sometimes schedules them back-to-back for convenience.

The observation is a two-hour visit to your classroom or family child care home while you're working with children. The CDS watches how you interact with children, run the environment, handle transitions, communicate with families, and carry out your program. They use the CDA Competency Standards as their reference. They aren't grading your lesson plan or your decor. They're checking whether your practice matches the competencies you describe in your portfolio.

The Verification Visit is a separate review of your Professional Portfolio. The CDS goes through your Competency Goal Statements, checks your Resource Collection items, reads the Family Questionnaires, and verifies your training documentation and CPR certification.

Both visits happen at your work site. You schedule them with your assigned CDS after submitting your application. The Council assigns the CDS based on your geographic area.

If the CDS finds gaps, they can ask for more documentation. Some applications get deferred rather than denied outright. If denied, you can reapply. The Council's published policies cover the appeals and reapplication process. ^[3]

One practical note. Have all your portfolio binders organized and labeled before the visit. A disorganized portfolio where the CDS has to hunt for documents leaves a worse impression than any single missing item.

How do you renew a CDA credential?

A CDA is valid for three years from the issue date. After three years, you renew it or it lapses. ^[3]

Renewal requirements:

• 45 clock hours of professional development since you were last credentialed or renewed. At least 1 hour has to address working with children with disabilities.
• Continued work with children (the Council requires documentation of ongoing work experience).
• A $150 renewal fee (current fee schedule; confirm at cdacouncil.org before submitting).

Renewal does not require another observation or Verification Visit. It's a documentation review. You submit your training records, a current health and safety record, and the fee.

What if your CDA lapses? You can still renew within five years of expiration by paying a reinstatement fee and meeting the renewal requirements. After five years, you generally have to run the full credentialing process again. The exact cutoff dates and fees live on the Council's website and can change, so check current policy before you assume.

Many states require proof of a current, not expired, CDA for the credential to count toward licensing qualifications. An expired CDA on your center's staff paperwork during an inspection turns into a compliance problem fast, so track your renewal dates carefully.

What CDA training programs and resources actually work?

You have a few real options, and they aren't equal.

CCR&R-sponsored programs. Your state or local Child Care Resource and Referral agency often runs CDA training cohorts or can point you to subsidized programs. These are usually the best value. They're built around your state's licensing context, often free or low-cost, and the instructors know what local CDSs look for. Find your local CCR&R through Child Care Aware of America. ^[4]

Community college CDA programs. Many community colleges run an Early Childhood Education course sequence that delivers the 120 CDA training hours and sometimes generates college credit at the same time. Tuition varies. If your state's T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program is active, it may cover the community college cost. ^[7]

Online training platforms. Sites like ProSolutions Training, NAEYC's online offerings, and the Council's own CDA Gold online course deliver hours that count toward the 120. CDA Gold is self-paced and aligned directly to the competencies. It runs around $430 and bundles the credential application fee in some packages. Confirm current pricing at cdacouncil.org.

Here's what I'd actually do. If you're near a CCR&R that runs a cohort, go that route. The group setting helps you build your portfolio in pieces with peer feedback, and the CCR&R connection tends to make scheduling your CDS easier. Solo online courses work, but plenty of candidates stall on portfolio completion when nobody's holding them accountable.

For curriculum alignment during training, resources like preschool curriculum and creative curriculum for preschool can help you build the documentation examples your portfolio needs.

How does the CDA compare to other early childhood credentials and degrees?

Here's how the main credentials stack up on the things that matter for licensing and pay.

Credential	Issuer	Min. education required	Hours/training required	Typical time to complete	Approx. cost
CDA	Council for Professional Recognition	High school diploma/GED	120 PD hours	6-15 months	$425-$700
Associate's degree (ECE)	Accredited college	High school diploma	~60 college credits	2 years	$3,000-$15,000+
Bachelor's degree (ECE/Child Dev.)	Accredited university	High school diploma	~120 college credits	4 years	$20,000-$60,000+
Infant/Toddler CDA	Council for Professional Recognition	High school diploma/GED	120 PD hours (I/T focus)	6-15 months	$425-$700
State-specific certificates	Varies by state	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies

The CDA is the right credential when you need to hit a baseline state licensing requirement fast and cheap, pick up QRIS points, or satisfy the educational requirement for an entry-level or assistant teacher role. It isn't a substitute for an associate's or bachelor's degree when your state explicitly requires college credit hours for a director or lead teacher position.

If you're thinking about the financial side, the childcare tax credit article explains how credential-related education expenses may interact with tax benefits.

Does CCDF funding cover CDA training and fees?

Yes, in many states, though the mechanism varies. The Child Care and Development Fund lets states spend quality improvement money (the required Quality Set-Aside, at least 9 percent of CCDF allotments) on professional development for the child care workforce. ^[6] CDA training and application fees are an eligible use.

In practice, your state may offer direct scholarships covering the $425 fee and training costs, T.E.A.C.H. scholarships that pay for community college coursework toward the CDA, stipends or wage supplements for earning or renewing a CDA, or employer grants for centers that sponsor staff through the process.

The Office of Child Care backs workforce quality initiatives in its CCDF policies. Per the ACF CCDF Program Instruction, states must describe their "activities to improve the quality of child care services" in their CCDF State Plans, and professional development funding is a standard piece. ^[6]

To find what's available where you are: start with your CCR&R, then your state's child care licensing agency, then the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance (ECQA). Most states publish a professional development funding guide. If yours doesn't, your CCR&R staff will know what's actually on the table.

If you track subsidy payments and reimbursement rates as part of running your program, the childcare subsidy article covers how quality ratings (raised by CDAs) connect to reimbursement.

What does the research say about the CDA's effect on child outcomes?

Honest answer: the evidence leans positive but isn't as clean as advocates sometimes claim, and this research is genuinely hard to do well.

A 2022 review of early childhood credential and degree research in the Early Childhood Education Journal found associations between higher educator credentials and better process quality scores (measured by tools like the ECERS-R), but the effect sizes are modest and the path from credential to child outcome is indirect. ^[8] Credentials shape the quality of interactions, which then shape child outcomes, so isolating the CDA's specific contribution gets messy.

Nobody has clean data on the CDA's independent effect on child outcomes, because CDAs travel with a bunch of other variables: program type, pay level, turnover, and state context. The most honest summary from the literature is that a credentialed or degreed workforce is linked to better observed classroom quality, and better classroom quality is linked to better outcomes for kids, especially in language and social-emotional development.

For practical purposes, policymakers and state licensing agencies settled on the CDA as a floor credential because the training content ties straight to developmentally appropriate practice. Whether it moves the needle in your specific classroom depends more on how seriously you engage the training than on whether you log the hours.

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

Here's the process in order, no fluff.

1. Confirm the prerequisites: high school diploma or GED, 480 work hours with the relevant age group in the past three years, and current hands-on CPR certification. ^[2]

2. Complete 120 hours of professional development across all 8 CDA Subject Areas, with at least 10 hours on working with children with disabilities.

3. Get the Competency Standards book for your setting from the Council. Read it before you write anything.

4. Collect 17 Family Questionnaire forms from families in your program. The Council provides the form. These have to be recent (within six months of application).

5. Build your Professional Portfolio: write your 6 Competency Goal Statements, compile your Resource Collection items, and gather your training documentation.

6. Create an account on the Council's online system (cdacouncil.org) and submit your application with the $425 fee.

7. The Council assigns you a local CDS. You contact the CDS to schedule the Observation and Verification Visit.

8. Complete both visits. Respond fast if the CDS asks for more documentation.

9. Receive the Council's decision, typically within 4 to 8 weeks of the visits.

10. Once credentialed, track your three-year renewal date.

Managing CDA requirements for several staff members as part of your licensing compliance? ChildCareComp's compliance toolkit helps you track credential expiration dates alongside your other licensing deadlines.

For curriculum frameworks that map straight to CDA Competency Areas, free preschool curriculum and montessori preschool curriculum resources give you ready-made documentation examples for your portfolio's Resource Collection.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a CDA credential online?

Partly. Your 120 training hours can come from online courses, including the Council's own CDA Gold program. But the CPR certification must include an in-person skills component, and the CDS Observation and Verification Visit happen on-site at your workplace. You can't complete the entire CDA process without any in-person piece.

What is the CDA National Credentialing Program?

It's the formal name for the credentialing system run by the Council for Professional Recognition. The program sets the competency standards, trains and assigns Child Development Specialists, processes applications, and awards the CDA. It's been operating since 1975 and has issued credentials to roughly 500,000 early childhood educators. The program covers Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, and Home Visitor settings.

How many hours do you need for a CDA credential?

120 hours of professional development across 8 CDA Subject Areas, including at least 10 hours on working with children with disabilities. Separately, you need 480 hours of direct work experience with children in the relevant age group and setting within the past three years. Neither the work hours nor the training hours can substitute for each other.

How much does a CDA credential cost?

The Council's application fee is $425 for standard settings. Add roughly $35-45 for the Competency Standards book, $50-100 for an in-person CPR class, and anywhere from $0 to $600 for the 120 training hours depending on whether scholarships or CCR&R programs cover them. Total out-of-pocket cost runs from $425 to roughly $700 for most candidates.

Does a CDA credential expire?

Yes. A CDA is valid for three years from the issue date. Renewal requires 45 hours of professional development, documentation of ongoing work with children, and a $150 renewal fee. If your CDA lapses, you can reinstate it within five years of expiration. After five years, most candidates have to complete the full credentialing process again.

Is a CDA the same as a college degree?

No. The CDA is a competency-based credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, not a college or university. Some colleges accept the CDA for credit toward an associate degree, but that depends on the institution. If your state's licensing rules require a specific number of college credit hours for a director or lead teacher position, a CDA alone typically won't satisfy that requirement.

What is the Family Child Care CDA?

It's the CDA type for educators who work in a home-based child care setting rather than a center. The requirements match in structure (120 training hours, 480 work hours, portfolio, observation), but the Competency Standards book and portfolio examples have to reflect a family child care context. The application fee is the same $425.

Can a CDA credential improve my staff-to-child ratios?

In some states, yes. Several states allow more favorable staff-to-child ratios when a lead teacher holds a CDA or equivalent credential. The specifics vary by state and age group. Check your state's licensed childcare regulations directly. The CDA also factors into most state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, which can affect reimbursement rates for subsidy-funded enrollment.

What is the CDA Bilingual Specialization?

It's an add-on to any CDA credential for educators who work with children in two languages. It requires that 120 of the 480 work experience hours involve working bilingually with children and families, plus a bilingual verification process. The fee is an additional $125 on top of the standard application fee. It doesn't replace the base credential; it supplements it.

What is a Child Development Specialist (CDS) in the CDA process?

A CDS is a professional assigned by the Council for Professional Recognition to conduct your on-site Observation and Verification Visit. They're local practitioners trained and authorized by the Council. They don't grade you on a single test; they verify that your practice and portfolio documentation align with the CDA Competency Standards. After the visit, they submit their findings to the Council for the credentialing decision.

Are there CDA scholarships available?

Yes. Many states fund CDA training and application fees through CCDF quality improvement funds, T.E.A.C.H. scholarship programs, and CCR&R grant programs. Availability varies by state and funding cycle. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency first. Child Care Aware of America maintains a state resource finder at childcareaware.org.

How do I build a CDA Professional Portfolio?

The portfolio has three required sections: six Competency Goal Statements (written reflections on your practice tied to the Council's competency language), 17 Family Questionnaires collected from families you serve, and a Resource Collection including items like a professional philosophy statement, community resource list, health and safety documentation, and sample activity plans. Use the Competency Standards book for your setting as your writing guide throughout.

Does CCDF cover CDA fees for daycare providers?

In many states, yes. States must spend at least 9 percent of their CCDF allotment on quality activities, and professional development funding is an eligible use under federal CCDF policy. This can cover application fees, training courses, and in some states, wage supplements for holding the credential. Check with your state's child care licensing office or CCR&R agency for current availability.

What's the difference between a CDA for Infant/Toddler and a CDA for Preschool?

The type reflects the age group and setting where you work. The Infant/Toddler CDA is for educators working primarily with children from birth to 36 months. The Preschool CDA covers ages 3 to 5 in a center setting. The 120 training hours, portfolio structure, and $425 fee are the same, but the Competency Standards book, required portfolio examples, and CDS observation focus differ to match the developmental needs of each age group.

Sources

1. Council for Professional Recognition, About the CDA: The CDA National Credentialing Program has been operated by the Council for Professional Recognition since 1975, with approximately 500,000 credentials issued.
2. Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Competency Standards (general requirements overview): CDA requirements include 120 PD hours across 8 Subject Areas (at least 10 on disability inclusion), 480 work experience hours, and hands-on CPR certification.
3. Council for Professional Recognition, Credentialing Fees and Process: The CDA application fee is $425; renewal fee is $150; credential is valid for three years; reinstatement available within five years of expiration.
4. Child Care Aware of America, Find Child Care Resources: Child Care Aware of America operates the national network of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies and tracks state scholarship availability for CDA credentialing.
5. National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, State Licensing Compendium: Most states accept the CDA as meeting baseline educational qualifications for center staff, and many incorporate it into Quality Rating and Improvement Systems.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care: States must spend at least 9 percent of CCDF allotments on quality activities; professional development for the child care workforce, including CDA training and fees, is an eligible use.
7. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): T.E.A.C.H. scholarship programs available in many states fund community college coursework and CDA credentialing for the child care workforce.
8. Early Childhood Education Journal (Springer): Research finds associations between higher educator credentials and better process quality scores (ECERS-R), but effect sizes are modest and the pathway to child outcomes is indirect.
9. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care: CCDF State Plans must describe quality improvement activities including professional development funding, supporting CDA scholarship programs in most states.
10. National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, Workforce Quality: The CDA credential is widely incorporated into state QRIS frameworks, with higher QRIS ratings linked to higher subsidy reimbursement rates for providers.