Are you struggling to meet the professional standards required to advance in early childhood education? Or are you considering applying for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to boost your career? The CDA certificate could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and enhancing your expertise in the field.
The CDA certificate helps educators meet state and national professional requirements while providing the opportunity to learn the best teaching practices. Receiving the CDA certificate demonstrates your commitment to essential knowledge, skills, and formal education, making you a more capable professional. Earning the CDA proves your expertise in nurturing young children’s growth and development.
If you’re ready to enhance your career in early childhood education, pursuing a CDA certificate is a valuable investment that will open doors to new opportunities and professional growth. Continue reading for a complete guide on how to obtain your CDA certificate.
What is a CDA Certificate?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate is a professional credential awarded to early childhood educators who demonstrate their knowledge and skills in working with young children. It is one of the most recognized certifications in early childhood education in the United States. The CDA certification is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, a non-profit organization that aims to improve children’s quality of care and education.
The CDA Certificate is designed for individuals working with children from birth to age 5 in various settings, such as childcare centers, preschools, or family childcare homes. It is an essential qualification for many early childhood education positions and can help educators enhance their professional skills, career prospects, and earning potential.
How Do I Get a CDA Certificate?
Obtaining a CDA certificate is a step-by-step process that requires commitment, training, and practical experience. The CDA is designed to ensure that early childhood educators have the knowledge and skills needed to support the development and well-being of young children. Hereโs a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in earning a CDA certificate:
1. Age Requirement and High School Diploma
You must be 18 years old to apply for the CDA certificate. Additionally, candidates are required to provide proof of high school education. This can include a valid high school diploma, a GED (General Education Development) certificate, or evidence of enrollment as a junior or senior in a high school career or technical program focused on early childhood education.
2. Choose the Correct CDA Credential Setting.
When applying for a CDA certificate, it is essential to choose the correct setting that aligns with your experience and area of expertise. The CDA offers different credentialing options based on the age group of children you work with. Selecting the right setting is crucial as it ensures that your training and experience are tailored to meet the needs of the children in your care.
Infant and Toddler
This credential setting is for educators who work with children from birth to age 3. It focuses on child development and education techniques for the youngest learners, covering areas such as early language development, health and safety practices, and emotional support. This is the correct setting if your work experience and training center around infants and toddlers.
Preschool
The Preschool CDA is designed for those who work with children ages 3 to 5. This setting fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development, including curriculum development, classroom management, and positive behavior. If you work in preschools or child care centers that cater to this age group, the Preschool CDA is the appropriate choice.
Family Child Care
The Family Child Care CDA is ideal for educators who work in family child care settings, which may involve providing care for children in a home environment. This credential focuses on the diverse needs of children from birth to age 5, emphasizing home-based care, communication with families, and creating a safe, nurturing environment. It is the best fit if you provide care in a family childcare setting.
Home Visitor
The Home Visitor CDA Credential is for professionals who work directly with families by providing home-based support to parents of children aged 5 or younger. In this role, regular home visits are the primary method of service delivery, where the home visitor helps parents understand child development, offers guidance on fostering learning, and assists in creating a nurturing environment for children. The assessment process for the Home Visitor CDA is slightly different, focusing on building strong, supportive relationships with families and effectively communicating developmental strategies.
3. Professional Education
To earn the CDA certificate, candidates must complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training. This training should focus on the growth and development of children from birth to age 5 and must cover eight key subject areas, with no fewer than 10 training hours dedicated to each:
- Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
- Advancing childrenโs physical and intellectual development
- Supporting childrenโs social and emotional development
- Building productive relationships with families
- Managing an effective program operation
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
- Observing and recording childrenโs behavior
- Understanding principles of child development and learning
The training must be provided by an agency or organization that specializes in early childhood teacher preparation. Training hours can be either for-credit or non-credit but cannot be obtained from independent consultants or conference workshops for an initial CDA application. Candidates must verify their education through official documentation such as a transcript, certificate, or letter from the training provider.
4. Work Experience
To obtain the CDA certificate, candidates must complete at least 480 hours of work experience with children aged birth to 5 years. This experience must be recent, within the last five years, and should take place in a setting that directly involves caring for and educating young children. Common settings include child care centers, preschools, family child care homes, or Head Start programs. The work experience must focus on the specific age group relevant to the CDA specialization. For example, if applying for an Infant and Toddler CDA, the work experience must primarily involve working with children from birth to age 3.
The experience gained must include active interaction with children, as the goal is to demonstrate the practical application of early childhood education principles. This can involve planning and implementing lesson plans, engaging in play-based activities, supporting children’s emotional and social development, and ensuring a safe and healthy environment. Passive observation or non-interactive roles do not fulfill the requirement. Candidates should be involved in the daily care and education of the children, directly influencing their development and learning.
In addition to working directly with children, the experience must be supervised by a qualified professional who can verify the hours and the nature of the candidateโs involvement. Supervisors provide valuable feedback and evaluations, helping ensure the candidate meets the necessary standards. Documentation of the hours worked and the activities performed is also essential for the application process, and the experience must be recorded accurately to confirm it aligns with the CDA requirements. This includes obtaining official signatures from supervisors or program directors to validate the experience.
The 480 hours of experience should cover a range of responsibilities within early childhood education. These responsibilities typically include direct child interaction and collaboration with families, observing children’s progress, and maintaining an environment that promotes safety, inclusion, and developmental growth. By fulfilling these work experience requirements, candidates demonstrate their readiness to earn the CDA Credential and advance their career in early childhood education.
5. Professional Portfolio for the CDA Certificate
The Professional Portfolio is an essential component of the CDA credentialing process. It is compiled independently by each candidate to demonstrate their qualifications and professional growth. This portfolio includes various materials reviewed by the CDA PD Specialist during the CDA Verification Visit. Hereโs a breakdown of the key materials included in the Professional Portfolio:
- Education Documentation
Education documentation proves the candidate has completed 120 hours of formal early childhood education training. This documentation verifies that the candidate has met the training requirements in specific areas such as child development, learning environment safety, social-emotional development, and more. It typically includes official transcripts, certificates, or letters from accredited organizations that confirm the candidateโs completion of the training hours. - Family Questionnaires
Family questionnaires are completed by the families of the children the candidate works with. These questionnaires offer feedback on the candidateโs interactions with children and their ability to support children’s development. They help assess the candidateโs ability to build productive relationships with families, a critical component of the CDA credential. The feedback provided by families gives valuable insight into the candidate’s effectiveness in engaging with parents and fostering a positive environment for children. - Six Reflective Statements of Competence
The candidate writes the six reflective statements of competence to demonstrate their understanding of their role as early childhood educators. Each statement reflects on one of the CDA competency standards and describes how the candidate applies it in their daily practice. These reflective statements allow the candidate to showcase their professional knowledge, growth, and the practical application of their skills in real-world situations. They also highlight the candidate’s ability to self-assess and continue growing in their practice. - Ten Resources
The ten resources in the portfolio are tools or materials the candidate regularly uses to support children’s learning and development. These resources could include lesson plans, activity sheets, behavioral management strategies, or safety protocols. By providing these resources, the candidate demonstrates their ability to create a positive and enriching learning environment. The portfolio reflects the candidateโs preparedness, creativity, and ability to meet the developmental needs of children in their care. - Professional Philosophy Statement
The professional philosophy statement is a written reflection where the candidate articulates their beliefs and values regarding early childhood education. In this statement, the candidate discusses their approach to child development, teaching strategies, and commitment to children’s well-being and growth. The professional philosophy statement offers insight into candidates’ educational practices and allows them to express their passion for early childhood education.
6. Verification Visit
The Verification Visit is a key step in earning the CDA certificate. During this visit, a CDA PD Specialist observes the candidateโs practice in their work environment and reviews their Professional Portfolio. The goal is to assess whether candidates meet the CDA competency standards and effectively apply their knowledge and skills.
The visit typically occurs at the candidate’s workplace, where the specialist observes interactions with children, the learning environment, and how the candidate supports child development. The specialist also reviews the candidateโs portfolio, which includes important documents such as education records, family feedback, reflective statements, and resources.
Additionally, the specialist will discuss professionally with the candidate, asking questions about their approach to teaching, working with families, and addressing challenges. The feedback from this visit plays a critical role in determining whether the candidate will be awarded the CDA certificate.
7. CDA Certification Exam
The CDA Certification Exam is essential to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing process. After completing the required education and work experience, candidates must pass this exam to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of early childhood education principles. The exam ensures that candidates possess the necessary skills to work effectively with young children and support their development.
The CDA Certification Exam comprises 65 multiple-choice questions covering child development, learning environments, and family relationships. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%. This means you must correctly answer at least 46 of the 65 questions to pass and move forward in the certification process.
To schedule the CDA Certification Exam, candidates must first complete their CDA application and have their Professional Portfolio reviewed. Once the application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to schedule the exam. The exam is administered through Pearson VUE, a testing service provider. Candidates can visit the Pearson VUE website, select a testing location, and choose a convenient date and time for their exam. The exam can be taken at a Pearson VUE test center or, in some cases, through online proctoring, depending on availability.
8. Credentialing Decision for the CDA Certificate
The Credentialing Decision is the final step in the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification process. After completing all the required componentsโincluding training, work experience, the Professional Portfolio, the Verification Visit, and the CDA Certification Examโa decision is made regarding whether the candidate will receive the CDA certificate.
There are three possible outcomes for the credentialing decision:
- Awarded CDA Credential
If the candidate meets all requirements, including passing the exam, submitting a complete portfolio, and completing the Verification Visit, the candidate will be awarded the CDA certificate. This certification is valid for three years. - CDA Credential Denied
If the candidate fails to meet one or more of the CDA requirementsโsuch as not passing the exam, failing to submit the necessary documentation, or not demonstrating sufficient competenciesโthe CDA Credential may be denied. In this case, the candidate will receive detailed feedback outlining the areas of deficiency and may be allowed to retake the exam or resubmit certain documents. - Conditional CDA Credential
In some cases, the CDA Council may issue a Conditional CDA Credential if the candidate meets most, but not all, of the requirements. For example, if the application has minor issues or the candidate must submit additional documentation, a conditional credential may be granted with a set timeline for completing the requirements.
The CDA certificate is valid for three years from its award date. You may apply to renew it 90 days before it expires.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a CDA Certificate?
Applying for a new CDA certificate costs $425 for online applications and $500 for paper applications. If you renew your CDA certificate, the online renewal fee is $125, while the paper renewal fee is $150. The online process is generally quicker and more convenient, allowing candidates to submit their documents and pay fees directly through the CDA Councilโs website.
Some candidates may qualify for financial assistance or discounts depending on their employer, location, or special programs. Certain organizations and states offer grants or subsidies to help offset the cost of CDA certification for educators working in early childhood education settings. Exploring funding options with your employer or local early childhood education associations is advisable.
CDA Training Providers
Several CDA training providers offer courses designed to help candidates meet the 120-hour training requirement for the Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate. These providers offer flexible, accessible options for early childhood education professionals who wish to complete their training at their own pace. Below are some well-known CDA training providers:
Care Courses
Care Courses offers an online CDA training program approved by the CDA Council. They provide flexible, self-paced courses that cover all 8 CDA subject areas. Care Courses is known for its user-friendly platform and comprehensive materials, allowing candidates to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for the CDA Credential.
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
CCEI is an industry leader in online professional development for childcare professionals. It offers courses, certificate programs, and CDA training and has helped hundreds of thousands of childcare professionals across the country.
CypherWorx
CypherWorx offers comprehensive CDA Gold Standard training, following a quality review of their CDA coursework by the Council for Professional Recognition. CypherWorx offers CDA-approved courses that cover all the necessary subject areas required for certification. Additionally, their courses are designed to be flexible, allowing candidates to complete their training at their own pace, making it a convenient choice for busy professionals. They also provide certificates of completion for each course, which can be used as part of the documentation when applying for the CDA Credential.
ChildCareEd
ChildCareEd offers individual course offerings for CDA training, allowing providers to choose coursework that interests them while covering required CDA subject areas.
ProSolutions Training
ProSolutions Training provides online courses specifically designed to meet CDA credentialing requirements. They offer many early childhood education courses that align with the 120-hour training requirement. Their courses are convenient and include interactive modules, assessments, and certificates of completion.
Benefits of the CDA Certificate
Earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential offers numerous benefits for early childhood educators, enhancing their professional skills and career opportunities. Below are some key advantages of obtaining the CDA certificate:
1. Improved Career Opportunities
The CDA certificate is a highly recognized credential in the early childhood education field. Many employers either require or prioritize candidates who hold a CDA certificate. A CDA certificate can help you stand out in a competitive job market, increasing your chances of landing positions in daycare centers, preschools, or family childcare settings.
2. Increased Earning Potential
With a CDA certificate, many early childhood educators see a salary rise. Employers are often willing to offer higher wages to certified professionals. The CDA credential demonstrates your professional level and commitment to children’s education, making you eligible for more competitive compensation.
3. Enhanced Professional Skills
The CDA certification process involves completing 120 hours of training, covering key areas such as child development, curriculum planning, and creating safe learning environments. This process deepens your theoretical knowledge and enhances your practical skills. Through training and reflection, you will be better equipped to support children’s development and apply the latest educational methods in your teaching.
4. Better Family and Child Interaction
A CDA certificate requires educators to develop strong communication skills with families and support children’s social and emotional development. Educators with a CDA credential are better able to build strong family connections, offer high-quality support to parents, and help them understand their child’s needs. These improvements in family engagement foster trust and collaboration between educators and parents.
5. Professional Recognition and Career Pride
The CDA certificate is a nationally recognized credential, symbolizing your expertise in child development and early childhood education. This certification boosts your professional credibility and earns you respect among your peers. As a certified professional, you will also experience greater job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
6. Continuing Education and Career Growth
The CDA certificate is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed through continued education and professional development. This process encourages lifelong learning and ensures that educators stay up-to-date with best practices in early childhood education. Regular renewal helps you stay current with industry trends and enhance your skills as an educator.
FAQ
Who is PearsonVUE?
PearsonVUE is a leading provider of computer-based testing and exam delivery services. They are responsible for administering the CDA Certification Exam for candidates seeking the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. PearsonVUE works with the CDA Council to ensure that candidates can conveniently schedule and take their exams at various test centers or through online proctoring. The PearsonVUE platform provides candidates with a secure and reliable environment for their exams, and they also offer resources such as test preparation materials and practice exams.
How do I find a PD Specialist?
To find a Professional Development (PD) Specialist for your CDA certification process, you can visit the CDA Councilโs official website. They provide a list of approved PD Specialists qualified to conduct the Verification Visit as part of the CDA credentialing process. You can search for a PD Specialist based on your location, and you may also receive recommendations from your training provider or local early childhood education organizations. Your PD Specialist will guide you through the Verification Visit and help assess whether you meet the requirements for the CDA Credential.
How Long Will It Take for the Council to Make a Credentialing Decision?
After you submit your CDA application, including the Professional Portfolio, training documentation, and exam results, the CDA Council typically takes 2-3 weeks to review your materials and make a credentialing decision. The timeline can vary based on factors such as your application’s completeness and the PD Specialist’s availability to conduct the Verification Visit. You will be notified by email once a decision has been made regarding your CDA certificate, and you can check your status through the CDA Council’s online portal.
What happens if I fail the CDA exam?
If you do not pass the CDA exam, you can retake it after a waiting period. The CDA Council provides detailed feedback on areas needing improvement to help you prepare for the next attempt.
