Last updated 2026-07-09
TL;DR
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Texas takes 120 hours of early childhood training, 480 hours of experience with children, a written exam, and a portfolio review. The Council for Professional Recognition awards it nationally. Texas treats it as a baseline for staff qualifications, director pathways, and Texas Rising Star subsidy tiers. Total cost runs about $425 to $1,000.
What is the CDA credential and why does it matter in Texas?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is the most widely held early childhood credential in the country. The Council for Professional Recognition has awarded more than 800,000 CDAs since the program started in the 1970s. [1] It is not a Texas license. It is a portable national credential, and Texas agencies treat it as a recognized qualification benchmark.
In Texas the CDA matters for three practical reasons. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) both reference the CDA when they set staff qualification standards for licensed centers and homes. [2] TWC's quality rating system, Texas Rising Star, uses the CDA as a minimum qualification for certain staff and director roles, and a higher star tier means higher reimbursement for subsidy-funded slots. [3] And the CDA is the fastest, cheapest credential that actually moves the needle on pay and compliance.
Here is the simple case. If you run a licensed Texas center and your lead teachers have nothing past a high school diploma, a CDA gets them formally qualified under state minimum standards faster than a two-year degree and for a fraction of the cost.
What are the eligibility requirements for a CDA in Texas?
The requirements come from the Council for Professional Recognition, not from Texas. Texas accepts the Council's credential, so meeting the national requirements means you meet the Texas standard. [1]
Here is what you need before you apply:
- A high school diploma or GED.
- 120 clock hours of formal childcare education covering all eight of the Council's subject areas (child development, curriculum, health and safety, family and community relationships, program management, professionalism, observation and assessment, and diversity).
- 480 hours of experience working with children in a group setting within the past 3 years.
- Current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification.
The 480 hours sounds like a mountain. It's about 12 weeks of full-time work in a childcare setting. If you already work in a center or family home, that clock is probably already running. Texas Rising Star wants documentation of these hours, so keep records from day one. [3]
One thing people miss. The 120 training hours have to cover all eight content areas. A 120-hour course loaded with health and safety but no program management will not qualify. Check your transcripts against the Council's subject area list before you apply. [1]
How much does getting a CDA credential cost in Texas?
A first-time applicant who needs all 120 training hours should budget $625 to $1,000. The Council's application and exam fee is $425 for new applicants as of 2024, the same everywhere in the country. Renewal every three years costs $150. [1]
The rest of the cost is training, if you don't already have it. Community colleges with early childhood programs in Texas, like Austin Community College or San Antonio College, typically charge $500 to $1,500 for the coursework, depending on how many credit hours you're missing. Online CDA training through approved providers runs $200 to $400 for the full 120-hour package. [4]
Do the math both ways. Community college route: roughly $700 to $1,000. Online route: roughly $625 to $825. If you already have qualifying training from a past employer or college, your out-of-pocket cost drops.
Help is out there. TWC offers T-TALA (Texas Training and Learning Alliance) professional development funding that can cover CDA training and exam fees for eligible workers. [5] Some Texas Child Care Resource and Referral agencies keep small scholarship funds. Check with your local CCR&R before you pay out of pocket.
For how the credential fits subsidy funding, see the childcare subsidy article.
What are the steps to apply for a CDA in Texas?
There are four steps, and the whole thing takes three to six months for most people.
Step 1: Complete your 120 training hours. Use college coursework, online CDA programs, or a mix. Keep official transcripts or certificates. The Council will ask for verification.
Step 2: Accumulate 480 experience hours. Document them with a signed letter from your employer, or if you run a family childcare home, a verification letter from your licensor or a professional reference. The hours must be with children birth through age 5 (or the age group your credential covers).
Step 3: Build your Professional Portfolio. This is a binder or digital collection with six reflective statements about your practice plus documentation from each of the eight subject areas. The Council's CDA Competency Standards book (free on their website) spells out exactly what goes in. [1] Budget 20 to 40 hours for assembly. Most applicants think it will take less.
Step 4: Apply online and schedule your exam. Submit through the Council's portal, pay the $425 fee, and schedule a 65-question written exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. After you pass, a Council Professional Development Specialist (PDS) does a portfolio review and a classroom observation. You pick your own PDS from the Council's network. [1]
The Council doesn't publish a clean annual pass rate, and its own documentation describes the exam as measuring competency rather than screening people out. Most candidates who finish the full training and portfolio prep pass on the first try.
Does Texas require a CDA for licensed childcare staff?
No, a CDA is not the legal minimum for most Texas staff positions. Texas Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers set qualification requirements by role, and the CDA usually exceeds the floor rather than defining it. [2]
Caregivers need to be at least 18 and finish a pre-service training course before working with children. No CDA required for entry-level staff.
Lead Caregivers (teachers running a group) at many centers need a high school diploma plus annual ongoing training. A CDA goes beyond that, which is exactly why it shows up as a Texas Rising Star quality indicator instead of a hard licensing requirement.
Directors of licensed centers have to meet documented education and experience that varies by center size and type. A director of a center serving 13 or more children has to satisfy one of several pathways, and a CDA plus relevant experience is an accepted pathway for some roles. [2] Larger centers and centers going for Texas Rising Star usually want directors at CDA level or higher.
The short version: a CDA is optional for most positions but effectively required if your center wants to join Texas Rising Star and reach higher subsidy reimbursement rates. For family childcare homes, HHSC Minimum Standards require training hours but no CDA for basic licensure. [6]
How does the CDA connect to Texas Rising Star and subsidy reimbursement?
Texas Rising Star (TRS) is the state's quality rating and improvement system for childcare programs. TWC runs it, rates programs 1 to 4 stars, and ties those ratings to enhanced reimbursement for children on CCDF-funded subsidies. [3]
The CDA sits right inside the rating criteria. Under TRS Program Requirements, caregivers and directors earn points toward the star rating based on education level. A CDA counts as Level 2 on the TRS educator qualification scale. An associate degree in early childhood counts as Level 3. A bachelor's counts as Level 4. Average those qualifications across your staff and higher numbers produce a higher score.
A 3-star or 4-star rating means reimbursement above the standard CCDF rate. TWC publishes rate enhancement amounts that add several dollars per child per day at higher star levels, though exact figures change with TWC's rate schedules and vary by county and age group. [3]
Run the math. Twenty subsidy-funded slots plus a higher star level can add up to tens of thousands of dollars a year. Spending $700 to $1,000 to credential a lead teacher can pay for itself many times over if it nudges your average qualification score enough to move your star rating.
TRS is voluntary. You can run a licensed program without a star rating. But if you serve subsidy kids, being TRS-rated is close to mandatory in practice, because TWC steers subsidy placements toward TRS programs. [3]
Can you get CDA training online in Texas?
Yes. The Council for Professional Recognition accepts online CDA training from approved providers, and Texas adds no residency requirement on top of that. All 120 training hours can happen online if the provider is recognized. [1]
Several Texas-based and national providers offer online CDA coursework. Online options run $200 to $400 for the full 120-hour package and let you go at your own pace, which helps if you're working full-time in a center while you study.
One piece can't be done online. The CDA requires an in-person classroom observation by your Professional Development Specialist. That observation happens at your actual work site, so you need to be employed in a qualifying childcare setting no matter how you finish your training hours.
Community colleges across Texas also run hybrid CDA prep courses. The upside of the college route is that the coursework often counts toward an associate degree in child development if you decide to keep going. That matters for the Texas Rising Star scale, where an associate degree sits a level above the CDA.
For curriculum ideas to use while you pursue the credential, the cda credential national overview and the preschool curriculum article both help.
How long does the CDA credential last and how do you renew it in Texas?
A CDA is valid for three years from the issue date. The Council for Professional Recognition handles renewal, not any Texas agency. [1]
To renew you need:
- 45 hours of continuing education during the three-year period.
- Current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification.
- A completed renewal application and the $150 fee.
You submit the renewal online through the Council's portal. There's no new exam, but you do need documentation of the 45 continuing education hours. Texas Rising Star's professional development requirements, including the annual training hours for TRS participation, can overlap with your CDA renewal hours if you document them right. [3]
If your CDA expires and you want it back, you can apply for reinstatement within three years of expiration. Past three years, you start over as a new candidate and pay the full $425.
Set a calendar reminder at month 30 of your cycle. Renewal takes time, and a lapse is an easy headache to skip.
Does a CDA credential increase your pay in Texas childcare programs?
Sometimes, and the Texas-specific data is thin. The national picture is clearer.
Child Care Aware of America's annual workforce report keeps documenting that credentialed and degreed early childhood educators earn more than those without formal qualifications, while median wages stay low across the field. [11] The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported median annual pay for childcare workers nationally at $30,370 in its May 2023 data, and Texas wages generally track near or slightly below that national median. [7]
Inside Texas programs, a CDA can trigger a pay bump, but it depends entirely on the employer. Programs in Texas Rising Star often build credential-based pay scales because higher staff qualifications lift their TRS score and reimbursement. Some employers pay for the CDA and then add a wage premium once you earn it.
TWC's T-TALA program and some local workforce boards have run wage supplement pilots for credentialed workers, though funding comes and goes. [5] Ask your local Workforce Solutions office what's active right now.
The CDA by itself rarely swings your base hourly rate much. The bigger financial effect flows through your employer's TRS reimbursement, which can make the program more sustainable and, if management passes any of it through, support raises over time. This is a structural problem with how Texas funds childcare, not a problem with the credential.
What does the CDA Portfolio require and how do you build one?
The Professional Portfolio is the document that shows your competence to the Council's Professional Development Specialist during the observation visit. [1] People underestimate this piece.
The portfolio has three parts.
1. Early Childhood Statements. Six reflective statements, each 500 words or fewer, explaining how you apply the CDA's six competency standards in daily work. These are personal and reflective, not academic. Write about what you actually do with children, not what theory says you should do.
2. Six Competency Goal Statements. Brief statements tied to each competency goal, each describing a specific example from your practice.
3. Resource Collection. The documentation section. It holds items like training transcripts, CPR and First Aid certificates, evidence of family partnership activities, health and safety records, and observation notes. The Council's Competency Standards book has a detailed checklist. [1]
Build the resource collection as you go through training. Reconstructing documentation at the end is painful. Keep a folder, physical or digital, and drop evidence in whenever you do something that fits a competency area: a parent newsletter, a safety checklist, a developmental observation note.
The CDA isn't a test of perfect programs. It's a test of reflective practice. Your portfolio can name the areas where you're still growing. That honesty usually reads better to a PDS than a polished but empty description of an ideal program.
How does the Texas CDA compare to other childcare credentials in the state?
The CDA is the entry point into formal credentialing. It costs far less and takes far less time than a degree, and it travels across state lines if you move. For a family childcare home operator or a center's first credentialed teacher, it's the most practical place to start. Here's how the major Texas credentials stack up.
| Credential | Issuer | Hours Required | Cost (approx.) | TRS Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA | Council for Professional Recognition | 120 training + 480 experience | $425 to $1,000 | Level 2 |
| Associate Degree (ECE) | Texas Community College | ~60 credit hours (~1,800 contact hours) | $3,000 to $8,000 | Level 3 |
| Bachelor's Degree (ECE/Child Dev) | Texas University | ~120 credit hours | $15,000+ | Level 4 |
| Texas School Ready! Certification | Region 13 ESC | Varies by role | Low/no cost | Tied to TRS |
| Director's Credential (Texas) | Various / NAEYC | Varies | $150 to $500 | Director pathway |
Sources: Council for Professional Recognition [1], TWC Texas Rising Star [3], Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [8]
The Texas School Ready! certification gets confused with the CDA. Texas School Ready! is a program-level certification focused on school readiness outcomes, run through Region 13 Education Service Center, and it sits alongside the TRS system rather than replacing individual staff credentials. [9]
For curriculum choices that line up with credentialing and quality standards, see creative curriculum for preschool and free preschool curriculum.
Where can Texas childcare workers get help paying for a CDA?
Several funding sources exist, and not enough people use them.
TWC's T-TALA program. The Texas Training and Learning Alliance is TWC's professional development system for childcare workers. T-TALA provides training scholarships and, in some years, exam fee help. Availability tracks current federal CCDF funding. Ask your local Workforce Solutions office or CCR&R what's funded now. [5]
Local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies. Texas has a network of CCR&R agencies funded through TWC. Many keep small scholarship funds for CDA training and exam fees. A directory is available through the Child Care Group and TWC's website. [10]
Texas Rising Star bonus payments. Some TWC workforce boards pay one-time bonuses or wage supplements to workers who complete a CDA as part of quality improvement incentives. These are board-specific, not statewide.
Employer funding. If your employer is TRS-certified or working toward it, getting you credentialed helps their rating directly. Many TRS programs will pay or reimburse CDA costs. Ask explicitly, and frame it as a business case for the employer rather than a personal favor.
TEACH Early Childhood Scholarships. The TEACH program runs in many states. As of this writing Texas has not had a fully operational statewide TEACH program, but check with the Child Care Group (the Texas CCR&R lead agency) for current status, since funding shifts. [10]
ChildCareComp's compliance toolkit has a state-by-state professional development funding tracker if you want to compare Texas with neighboring states.
For how credentials connect to the broader subsidy and tax credit picture, see childcare subsidy and childcare tax credit.
What are common mistakes Texas childcare workers make when pursuing a CDA?
A few patterns come up over and over.
Picking a training provider without checking coverage. Some cheap online packages hit 120 hours but skip one or two of the eight required subject areas. You won't find out until you apply and the Council flags the gap. Before you buy, map the syllabus against the eight CDA subject areas.
Not tracking experience hours from day one. The 480-hour requirement needs a verifiable record. If you've worked in childcare for years without documenting those hours, getting employer verification for past periods can be hard. Start a simple spreadsheet now: date, hours, setting, supervisor name.
Waiting too long to choose a Professional Development Specialist. PDS schedules fill up, especially in metros like Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. Once you submit your application you have a window to schedule the observation. Miss it and you may have to reapply. Line up a PDS before you submit.
Building the portfolio in a rush. The reflective statements take time to write well. A PDS who has read hundreds of portfolios can tell who reflected on their practice and who copied language from a textbook. The portfolio is a conversation, not a test you can cram for.
Assuming a CDA meets all Texas director qualifications. A CDA is one pathway to qualify as a center director under Texas Minimum Standards, but it depends on center size and your years of experience. Review the director qualification table in the Texas Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers before you assume your CDA covers the director role. [2]
Frequently asked questions
Is a CDA required to open a licensed daycare in Texas?
No. A CDA is not required for basic Texas childcare licensure at either a licensed center or a registered family home. Texas Minimum Standards set minimum training hour requirements, not a specific credential, for most staff positions. If you want to join Texas Rising Star and reach enhanced subsidy reimbursement rates, though, a CDA becomes effectively necessary for key staff roles.
How long does it take to get a CDA in Texas?
Most candidates finish in three to six months. The 120 training hours usually take one to three months depending on pace. The 480 experience hours may already be done if you work in childcare full-time. Portfolio assembly plus scheduling the exam and observation add another four to eight weeks. Applying before your hours and documentation are ready just stalls the process.
Can I count my Texas childcare center training hours toward the CDA?
Yes, if those hours cover the Council's eight required subject areas and come with official certificates or transcripts. Informal on-the-job training without documentation does not count. Training taken for Texas Minimum Standards compliance, annual Texas Rising Star professional development hours, and college coursework can all count if they hit the right content areas.
What is the CDA exam like?
The exam has 65 multiple-choice questions at a Pearson VUE testing center, timed at about 90 minutes. It covers the eight CDA subject areas and the six competency standards. The Council recommends the CDA Competency Standards book as your main study guide. After you pass, you schedule the portfolio review and classroom observation with your chosen Professional Development Specialist.
Does Texas accept an expired CDA for licensing or Texas Rising Star purposes?
No. An expired CDA does not count toward Texas Rising Star staff qualifications or state minimum standards, and TRS reviewers verify that credentials are current. If yours has expired, renew it (within three years of expiration for $150) or reapply as a new candidate. Texas HHSC licensors look at documented training hours separately from the credential, but expired credentials are not treated as active qualifications.
What CDA setting should I choose if I work in a Texas family childcare home?
The Council offers CDA credentials for different settings: center-based preschool, center-based infant/toddler, family childcare, and home visitor. If you operate or work in a Texas registered family home or licensed family home, choose the Family Child Care CDA. It's built for mixed-age group settings and the specific competencies of home-based care.
How does a CDA affect Texas Rising Star ratings specifically?
Texas Rising Star uses an educator qualification scale from Level 1 (CDA in progress or some college) to Level 4 (bachelor's in ECE or child development). A completed CDA counts as Level 2. Programs earn points based on the average qualification level of their staff. Higher average qualifications push toward a higher star rating, which ties directly to enhanced CCDF reimbursement per subsidized child.
Are there bilingual or Spanish-language CDA options available in Texas?
The Council for Professional Recognition offers a Bilingual Specialization as an add-on to the CDA for candidates who work with dual-language learners. Given Texas's large Spanish-speaking population, this specialization fits many programs. It requires additional competency documentation in bilingual settings. Some Texas community colleges offer CDA preparation courses in Spanish, though availability varies by region.
Does the CDA satisfy the education requirement for a Texas licensed childcare center director?
It can, depending on center size and your experience. Texas Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers list multiple pathways for director qualifications. For some center sizes and types, a CDA plus documented childcare experience meets the standard. For larger centers, a CDA alone may fall short. Review the director qualification requirements in the current Texas Minimum Standards document and confirm with your HHSC licensor before assuming compliance.
Where can I find a CDA Professional Development Specialist in Texas?
The Council for Professional Recognition keeps an online directory of Professional Development Specialists searchable by state and region. You select your PDS yourself after submitting your application. In Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, multiple PDSs are usually available. In rural areas you may need a wider radius, since a PDS has to run an in-person observation at your work site.
How often does Texas update its CDA-related requirements?
Texas Rising Star criteria and Texas Minimum Standards get updated periodically through TWC and HHSC rulemaking. The most recent major TRS revision rolled out in phases starting in 2019 and 2020. The Council for Professional Recognition updates its CDA Competency Standards periodically too. Check both the TWC Texas Rising Star page and the Council's website at least once a year to confirm you're working from current requirements.
Can a CDA help me get a higher reimbursement rate for subsidy-funded children in my Texas program?
Yes, indirectly. CDA credentials feed your Texas Rising Star rating. Programs rated at 2, 3, or 4 stars receive enhanced reimbursement above the base CCDF rate for subsidized children. The enhancement varies by star level, county, and age group. Getting staff credentialed raises your average staff qualification score, one component of the overall TRS rating.
Sources
- Council for Professional Recognition, CDA Credential Overview: CDA requires 120 training hours, 480 experience hours, written exam, portfolio review; renewal every 3 years for $150; application and exam fee $425
- Texas HHSC, Minimum Standards for Licensed Child Care Centers: Texas Minimum Standards set staff and director qualification requirements for licensed childcare centers, including CDA as an accepted qualification pathway
- Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Rising Star Program Requirements: Texas Rising Star ties educator qualification levels (CDA = Level 2) to star ratings and enhanced CCDF reimbursement rates
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Community and Technical Colleges: Texas community colleges offer early childhood education coursework applicable to CDA preparation at varying tuition rates
- Texas Workforce Commission, Child Care Training and Professional Development (T-TALA): TWC T-TALA provides professional development funding including scholarships for CDA training and exam fees for eligible childcare workers
- Texas HHSC, Minimum Standards for Licensed and Registered Family Homes: Texas family home minimum standards require training hours but do not mandate a CDA credential for basic licensure
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers: Median annual pay for childcare workers nationally was $30,370 as of May 2023 BLS data
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Academic Program Inventory: Texas community college associate degrees in early childhood education require approximately 60 credit hours
- Region 13 Education Service Center, Texas School Ready! Program: Texas School Ready! is a program-level school readiness certification administered by Region 13 ESC, distinct from individual staff CDA credentials
- Child Care Group (Texas CCR&R lead agency): Texas CCR&R network, including Child Care Group, administers scholarship funds and professional development resources for childcare workers
- Child Care Aware of America, The US and the High Price of Child Care (annual report): Child Care Aware documents childcare workforce wages and credential attainment nationally; credentialed educators earn more than non-credentialed workers
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care (CCDF): CCDF rules require states to have quality rating and improvement systems and tie reimbursement rates to quality indicators including staff qualifications