June 1, 2025

Let's be real — CDA renewal has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute, you're feeling good about your credential. The next, you're digging through old certificates, trying to remember which courses you took when, and wondering if you're about to miss the deadline.

The good news? Renewing your CDA is completely manageable when you know what's coming. We'll walk you through the current requirements, the major changes happening in August 2025, and how to choose training that actually supports your career development.

Important: Major Changes Starting August 1, 2025

Before we dive into current requirements, here's what's changing:

Starting August 1, 2025, the CDA renewal process is getting a significant overhaul to make it more efficient and user-friendly. Here are the key changes that will affect your renewal:

What's Being Eliminated

• First Aid and CPR certification will no longer be required for CDA renewal
• Paper applications are being phased out - the final day to submit paper applications is December 31, 2025
• The Verifier and ECE Reviewer system is changing to a streamlined audit process

What's Staying the Same

• 45 clock hours (4.5 CEUs) or 3 college credits of training requirement
• 80 hours of recent work experience with children
• Professional organization membership requirement
• Setting-specific training requirements

Updated Pricing (Effective August 1, 2025)

• Online renewal application: $250
• Paper renewal application: $300

Planning Your Renewal: If you're renewing before August 1, 2025, you'll follow the current process outlined below. If you're renewing after that date, you'll benefit from the streamlined new process with fewer documentation requirements.

Current CDA Renewal Requirements (Through July 2025)

The Training Requirement — What Actually Counts

Here's the heart of your renewal: proof that you've kept learning and growing since your last CDA was issued. The Council gives you three ways to meet the training/education requirement:

• 45 clock hours of Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development training
• 4.5 CEUs (continuing education credits)
• Three (3) college credits from an accredited institution

Critical details you need to know:

Must be setting-specific. Your training must match your CDA credential type:

• Preschool CDA: Training for children ages 3-5 in center-based settings
• Infant/Toddler CDA: Training for children birth to 36 months in center-based settings
• Family Child Care CDA: Training for children birth to 5 years in family child care settings

Must be recent. All training must have happened after the issue date on your most recent CDA credential. Check your certificate for that exact date.

No repeats allowed. You can't reuse training hours from your original CDA application or previous renewals. Every renewal cycle requires fresh learning.

Must meet documentation standards. Your training records need to include:

• Training agency name and official seal/logo
• Your name
• Number of hours or credits completed
• Dates of training
• Content area covered
• Official signature or certification

What Training Documentation is Accepted

• College transcripts showing course completion and credit hours
• Official certificates from training organizations with all required elements
• Official letters on agency letterhead verifying your completed training

What's NOT Accepted

• Training logs or personal records
• State registry printouts (unless pre-approved by the Council)
• Courses taken before your current credential issue date

Professional Organization Membership

You'll need current membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization. This shows your commitment to staying connected with the broader field and continuing your professional growth.

Acceptable documentation:

• Membership card with your name and expiration date
• Membership certificate
• Receipt showing membership payment
• Official letter from the organization

Your membership must be current when you submit your renewal application. If you're using a center membership, the center name must be clearly listed on all documentation.

Organizations that don't count:

• State registry memberships
• Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• Teachers' union memberships
• Magazine subscriptions

Work Experience Requirement

You need to demonstrate at least 80 hours of work experience with young children in the past year, specific to your credential setting. This ensures you're maintaining hands-on skills with the age group your credential covers.

If you're currently working in early childhood education, your ECE Reviewer can easily verify these hours based on your regular work schedule.

If you're not currently working with children, you can meet this requirement through:

• Volunteer work in appropriate early childhood settings
• Substitute teaching
• Special projects or events in early childhood programs
• Organizing family-oriented activities for appropriate age groups

The work must match your credential setting. If you have a Preschool CDA, your 80 hours must be with 3-5 year olds in a center setting, even if you now work with infants or in family child care.

Who Are the Verifier and ECE Reviewer? (Current Process Through July 2025)

For renewals submitted before August 1, 2025, you'll work with two key people who help verify your renewal requirements:

Your Verifier

This person reviews your training records and professional membership documentation. Choose someone in your program who has the authority to review staff training — typically a center director, assistant director, or education coordinator.

Your ECE Reviewer

This person confirms your 80 hours of recent work experience and provides an overall recommendation for your renewal. They must have firsthand knowledge of your current work with children and your skills in implementing the CDA Competency Standards.

Important eligibility requirements for both roles:

• Cannot be related to you
• Cannot be a daily co-teacher in your classroom
• Cannot be a parent or family member of a child in your care

One person can serve both roles if they meet all eligibility requirements for both positions.

Current First Aid and CPR Requirements (Through July 2025)

Note: This requirement is being eliminated starting August 1, 2025

For renewals submitted before August 1, 2025, you'll need current certification in:

• First Aid
• Infant and Child (Pediatric) CPR

Both certifications must:

• Be current at the time you submit your application
• Come from nationally recognized organizations (American Heart Association, American Red Cross, etc.)
• Include in-person training components (online-only training doesn't qualify)
• Show instructor signatures and certification numbers

Renewal Application Timeline and Process

When to Apply

• Earliest: Up to 6 months before your credential expires
• Latest: Before your expiration date (no exceptions or extensions)
• Recommended: Start gathering requirements 8-10 months before expiration

Application Options

Online Application (Recommended):

• Faster processing
• Upload documents directly
• Track your progress
• Electronic payment options
• Current fee: Online applications submitted before August 1, 2025 follow current pricing structure

Paper Application:

• Available through December 31, 2025
• Must mail complete application with all documentation
• Current fee: $300 (before August 1, 2025)

What Happens After You Apply

Most renewal applications are processed automatically upon submission. However, some applications are randomly selected for additional review to ensure all requirements have been properly met. If selected, you'll have 30 days to provide any additional documentation requested.

Timeline: When to Start Your Renewal Process

12 months before expiration:

• Check your credential expiration date
• Start planning which training to take
• Consider your 80-hour work requirement situation

8-10 months before expiration:

• Begin taking renewal training courses
• Secure professional organization membership
• Identify your Verifier and ECE Reviewer

6 months before expiration:

• Complete remaining training hours
• Update First Aid/CPR if needed (current process)
• Gather all documentation
• You can now submit your application

3 months before expiration:

• Final deadline for starting the process
• Less time for course completion and documentation gathering

Common Mistakes That Delay Renewal

Even experienced educators can hit bumps during renewal. Here's what to watch out for:

Training-related issues:

• Counting hours from before your current credential issue date
• Taking training that doesn't match your credential setting
• Using the same courses from previous renewals
• Missing required elements on training certificates

Documentation problems:

• Expired First Aid/CPR certifications (current process)
• Choosing ineligible Verifiers or Reviewers
• Incomplete training certificates missing signatures or agency information
• Professional membership that's expired or doesn't qualify

Timing issues:

• Waiting too long to start gathering requirements
• Letting your credential expire before applying
• Assuming you have more time than you actually do

Application errors:

• Applying with incorrect fees
• Missing required documentation uploads
• Providing Verifier/Reviewer contacts who don't respond promptly

Preparing for the August 2025 Changes

If you're planning to renew after August 1, 2025, here's how to prepare for the new streamlined process:

What you'll still need:

• 45 hours of setting-specific training (same requirement)
• 80 hours of recent work experience (same requirement)
• Current professional organization membership (same requirement)

What will be different:

• No First Aid/CPR requirement
• New audit system instead of Verifier/Reviewer process
• Online-only applications (no paper option after December 31, 2025)
• Updated application fees ($250 online)

Action steps:

• Focus on completing your training requirement first
• Ensure you have documentation of your 80 work hours
• Maintain current professional organization membership
• Plan to apply online

Choosing Quality Renewal Training

Not all CDA renewal training is created equal. Here's what to look for when choosing your 45 hours of professional development:

Council Recognition: Ensure your training provider is recognized by the CDA Council and provides proper documentation that meets all requirements.

Setting-Specific Content: Verify that courses are designed specifically for your credential type — don't waste time with generic early childhood content that won't count.

Practical Application: Look for training that connects theory to real classroom practice, helping you grow professionally while meeting renewal requirements.

Flexible Access: Choose programs that work with your schedule as a working educator — available when you can focus and learn effectively.

Clear Documentation: Your provider should automatically generate certificates that include all elements required by the CDA Council.

Ready to Start Your CDA Renewal?

Understanding the requirements is the first step. Whether you're renewing under the current process or preparing for the August 2025 changes, the key is starting early and choosing training that supports both your renewal requirements and your professional growth.

At ProSolutions Training, we offer complete CDA renewal programs that meet the Council's 45-hour requirement, with options designed specifically for each setting:

• Preschool Renewal Training
• Infant/Toddler Renewal Training
• Family Child Care Renewal Training

Our courses are Council-approved, setting-specific, and designed for working educators who need flexible access and reliable support throughout their renewal journey.