How to Get Your CDA Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide

Earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is an important step for anyone working in early childhood education. The CDA provides recognition of your skills knowledge and experience working with young children. It shows your dedication to providing high-quality care and education.

But how exactly do you go about getting CDA certified? The process involves meeting specific requirements, completing training, building your professional portfolio, and passing the CDA exam. By following the step-by-step guide below, you’ll be on your way to earning this valuable credential.

Step 1: Meet the Requirements

To qualify for CDA certification, you must meet certain requirements:

• Education – Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. If you’re still in high school, you can enroll in a CDA program as long as you’ll graduate before submitting your CDA application.

• Experience – Have at least 480 hours of experience working with children within the last 5 years. This experience must be with the same age group you’ll be applying for (infants/toddlers, preschoolers, or family childcare).

• Training – Complete 120 clock hours of formal child care education and training. At least 10 hours must be in each of the following content areas: health and safety, child development, curriculum, child observation and assessment, family and community relationships, professionalism, working with children with special needs, and program management.

Many community colleges, technical schools, and online programs offer CDA training courses and credential prep classes. Make sure any courses you take are approved by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Step 2: Choose Your Setting and Age Group

There are several types of CDA credentials you can earn, each focused on a different child care setting and age group:

• Infant/Toddler – For caregivers working with children from birth to 36 months old in a center-based setting

• Preschool – For caregivers working with children ages 3-5 years old in a center-based preschool classroom

• Family Child Care – For providers working with children from birth to age 5 in a home-based family childcare program

• Home Visitor – For home visitors working with children from birth to age 5 and their families

Think about which setting and age group matches your own experience and professional goals when choosing which CDA to pursue.

Step 3: Find a Professional Development Specialist

An important part of the CDA process is working with a Professional Development Specialist (PDS). This mentor will help guide you through the credentialing process. The PDS will conduct a formal observation of your teaching during a “verification visit.”

You can search for approved PDSs on the Council for Professional Recognition website. Reach out to potential mentors early so you can establish a relationship well before your verification visit. Make sure to get your PDS’s identification number, as you’ll need to provide it on your CDA application.

Step 4: Build Your Professional Portfolio

One of the key components of the CDA credentialing process is developing a portfolio that documents your knowledge, skills, and experience. Your portfolio should include:

• Competency statements describing your abilities in each of the 13 CDA functional areas
• Resource collection demonstrating your resources and teaching tools
• Observations you’ve done to document children’s skills and behaviors
• Sample weekly lesson plans
• Family questionnaires assessing children’s development
• Letters of reference from supervisors, parents, etc.

Follow the Council for Professional Recognition guidelines to ensure your portfolio contains all required components. This is your chance to showcase your accomplishments as an early childhood educator!

Step 5: Apply for Your CDA Credential

Once you’ve completed all the prerequisites, you’re ready to apply for your credential. You can submit your application online through the Council for Professional Recognition website.

Your application should include:

• Your personal information and education background
• Details about your teaching experience
• Professional development training documentation
• Payment for the $425 application fee
• Your PDS’s identification number
• Signatures from your center director/family child care licensor

Double check that your application is complete before submitting it. After submitting, you’ll get access to an online portal to upload your portfolio.

Step 6: Schedule Your Verification Visit

After the Council approves your application, it’s time to schedule your verification visit with your Professional Development Specialist. This is when your mentor will observe you teaching in your classroom or child care setting for about 2-3 hours.

Schedule the visit date and time with your PDS. Then confirm the details with your center director or licensor, as their signature is required on the verification visit form. This visit allows the PDS to see your teaching skills in action.

Step 7: Pass the CDA Exam

The final requirement for the credential is passing the CDA exam. You’ll take this multiple choice test at an authorized Pearson VUE test center. The exam covers topics like health and safety, child development, learning environments, and more. You can schedule your exam date after your application is accepted.

Many preparation guides and study tools are available to help you get ready for the exam. Give yourself several weeks to study before taking the test.

Step 8: Maintain Your Credential

Congratulations – you’ve earned your CDA! This credential is valid for 3 years. To maintain it, you’ll need to complete a renewal process that includes:

• Submitting an application
• Completing 45 hours of professional development training
• Paying a $150 renewal fee

Staying up to date on the latest knowledge and best practices will help you continue to provide excellent care and education as an early childhood professional.

Earning your Child Development Associate credential takes dedication, but it’s a worthwhile investment in your career. This guide outlines the key steps to help you through the process. With hard work and commitment, you’ll soon be a CDA certified early childhood educator!