Earning Your CDA

ProSolutions Training offers you affordable and complete CDA Training coursework. These courses meet the formal education requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) CredentialTM. The Council for Professional Recognition requires 120 hours of coursework to get your CDA. Our online CDA Training covers 120 hours across all eight subject areas - and it's easy to follow.

ProSolutions Training was one of the first to receive CDA® Gold Standard Certification. This is because our online coursework is high quality and interactive. We also provide helpful support services for students. Our learning management system also offers a great user experience. Interested in 3 or more CDA Training packages? Click here to learn more about bulk CDA Training.

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YOUR CDA ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

Eligibility Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma/GED or current enrollment in a high school career/technical program
• 480 clock hours of experience working with children within three years of beginning your application
• 120 hours of training in eight subject areas, all covered in the ProSolutions Training online CDA coursework

Benefits of CDA Training with ProSolutions Training

• Flexibility — Courses are available 24/7, and you can take them in any order at your own pace.
• Free resources — Each course you complete includes additional materials you can use, from helpful book lists to practical ideas for your classroom. Examples of these free resources include:
  • Books to Help Grow Self-Esteem
  • Sample - Fine Motor Skills Chart
  • Math Vocabulary for Young Children
• State-approved coursework — Our online coursework has been reviewed and is approved by most state regulatory agencies. For information on coursework approval in your state, visit our approvals page.
• CDA Training coursework is available in English and in Spanish.
• Head Start staff can use our CDA coursework to meet Head Start training requirements.
• Special support from ProSolutions Training that you won't find from other online training providers, helping you maximize the value of your training:
  • A review course at the end of each subject area to help you remember the key elements in that subject area
  • Advice about the CDA competency goals and resource collection requirements
  • Access to two additional courses, Your Journey to the CDA Credential: Let's Get Started! and Creating a Dynamite Professional Portfolio!, which review the requirements for a CDA credential and provide practical advice on how to assemble your application

The Application

Once you have determined your eligibility and completed the required coursework, purchase the $25 CDA Competency Standards Book from the Council for Professional Recognition. This book will provide you with all of the steps required to prepare for the application process, including:

• Preparation of the Professional Portfolio – a collection of resources.
• Reflective Statements of Competence – using, at key points, the resources you collected.
• Professional Philosophy Statement – a summary of your viewpoint; takes into account learning that occurred when preparing the Professional Portfolio.
• Family Questionnaires – to be distributed to the families of children in your care; the questionnaires highlight areas of strength as well as areas of growth.

The next step is to start the Council for Professional Recognition's application process, either online or on paper. To apply for your initial CDA Credential, the cost is $425 for online applications and $500 for paper applications. CDA candidates save $75 by applying online! As part of the application process, you will select a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist from the Council's online directory. This person will observe you working with young children as part of the process. After you complete the CDA Application Process, you will need to take your Childhood Development Associate credential test at a Pearson Vue Testing Center.

Renewing Your CDA

Upon initial completion, your CDA credential is valid for three years. After that, you'll need to renew the CDA credential, so it remains valid. The renewal process helps educators stay knowledgeable about advancements in early childhood education.

ProSolutions Training offers CDA Renewal Training coursework to help you meet the CDA Renewal requirements.

Select your setting type below to get started.

Your CDA Renewal Checklist

What You Need to Know to Renew the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential

1. Purchase a Renewal Packet from the Council. The packet includes the information and documents you need to begin your CDA renewal application, including the application form, recommendation form and waiver request form.
2. Gather required documentation. All renewal candidates must meet the following five criteria:
• Documented proof of a current Red Cross or other agency Pediatric First Aid Certificate, which must include (1) treatment for blocked airway and (2) rescue breathing for infants and young children.
• Documented proof of at least 4.5 continuing education units (CEUs) or a three-credit-hour course in early childhood education/child development, principles of adult learning, mental health counseling, etc. These hours must be in addition to the original 120 clock-hours completed to obtain the CDA credential. Bilingual CDAs must meet this requirement with coursework incorporating bilingual issues.
• Documented proof of a minimum of 80 hours of work experience within the past year. This should be a letter on official letterhead from a supervisor. See example.
• A completed Letter of Recommendation Form regarding the CDA candidate's competence with young children prepared by an early childhood education (ECE) reviewer. The ECE reviewer must meet Council eligibility requirements..
• Documented proof of current membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization. For a list of such organizations, see the Council's website.
3. Apply for the CDA renewal. Once you meet all of the requirements, you are ready to fill out and submit your CDA renewal application. You may submit your renewal application no sooner than 90 days before your credential expiration date.

Upon receipt of the application and supporting documents, Council staff will review the materials for completeness. If all materials are in order and complete, the Council will award the CDA Renewal Credential. If the materials are incomplete, the Council will notify you, and you will then be given the opportunity to resolve the problem(s) within a specified time period.

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