The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education, and is the best first step on the path of career advancement in the field. The distinctive CDA®Credential is the only nationally recognized, portable, reciprocal, competency-based credential of its kind in the country. The trainingequips teachers with the skills needed to succeed in the classroom, enhance professional development, along with build trust with parents and families.
Additional benefits of earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ include:
- Becomingmore knowledgeable about early care and education
- Gaining confidence in your career
- Growing personally and professionally with new skills
- Earning more recognition from others in the industry
- Advancingyour career with increased qualifications
A CDA® Credential opens up numerous opportunities and provides an important first step in a successful career as an early childhood educator. Understanding the enrollment process along with actions needed to begin the CDA® Credential journey can be helpful with taking the necessary steps to increase your knowledge, develop yourself and see yourself in a brighter future.
In this article, we address how you can earn the CDA Credential™, outlining its requirements and the steps you must taketo complete it. Even if you don’t plan to complete the CDA®credentialing process, the120 hours of CDA®Training will help you grow as an educator and a professional.
What are the requirements?
To earn your CDA, you must complete the following:
- A minimum of a high school diploma/GED or current enrollment in a high school career/technical program
- 120 hours of training in 8 different subject areas(available through ProSolutions Training)
- 480 clock hours of professional experience with children within 3 years of beginning application
- Professional portfolio
- Family questionnaires
- Find your CDA®Professional Development Specialist
- Complete the CDA®exam
- Complete the verification visit with the CDA®Professional Development Specialist
The eight subject areas of the CDA®Training offered by ProSolutions Training include information on creating a healthy learning environment, advancing children's physical and intellectual development, supporting children's emotional development, establishing productive relationships with families, managing an effective program, and maintaining professionalism.
These requirements may seem like a lot, but our training walks you through each step of the process, setting you up on the path for success.
Additionally, the child care training online at ProSolutions Training has been approved by most state regulatory agencies to help fulfill annual training requirements. Check your state's pagefor Professional Developmentto make sure the courses have the approval you need based on your location.
How do I get my CDA?
According to the Council for Professional Recognition, enrollment steps include:
1.) Within six months before application:
- Professional portfolio (PP) completed by candidate
- Family questionnaires (FQ) gathered by candidate
2.) Followed by the next steps which include:
- A candidate must find a CDA®Professional Development Specialist that meets the setting and language of application
- Candidate sends the Council an application and pays fee (via mail or online)
- Ensure to send the Council the payment documentation if an agency is paying the fee
3.) The candidate's application is then reviewed and approved.
4.) The verification visit must be completed with the CDA®Professional Development Specialist.
The candidate will receive a "Ready to Schedule Notice" by email. Then, the verification visit and CDA®exam may be scheduled. Both of these items must be completed within 6 months.
The verification visit will include:
- A review of the professional portfolio (PP) and family questionnare (FQ)
- Observation of candidate in the classroom
- Reflective dialogue between the Professional Development Specialist and the candidate
5.) Finally, the candidate will take the CDA®Exam at a Pearson Vue testing center.
After completing all of the above steps,scores will be sent electronically to the Council and the candidate will receive a credentialing decision within 10 business days.
Helpful tip- You are your best advocate. Before choosing an organization to obtain your CDA® credential, be sure to research the organizations enrollment/renewal process along with the type of support provided/offered to candidates, i.e., in person, online, virtual etc. This will help to ensure the organization chosen is the right fit for you and provides the support/guidance needed to navigate through the program and obtain the CDA® credential.
The CDA®is valid for three years from the date it was awarded. After that time, it will need to be renewed to remain valid. ProSolutions Training offers CDA®Renewal Training as well.
What is the CDA Renewal process?
You may submit your CDA®renewal application up to 6 months before your credential expires.The purpose of renewal is to ensure that educators are well-versed in the latest and greatest developments in the field of ECE. The CDA®Renewal requirements, according to the Council for Professional Recognition, are as follows:
One of the main components of the renewal process is completing continuing education credits. This requirement can be met in three different ways:
- 4.5 continuing education credits
- 45 clock hours of child development or ECE training
- 3 credit hours from courses at an accredited college or university
Whichever method you choose to meet the continuing education requirement, remember that you must have documentation to prove completion. The council will accept this proof in the form of a college or university transcript, training agency formal verification letter, or training verification form.
Get started today with CDA®Training online with ProSolutions Training.
