An ideal candidate:

• Is employed in or desires employment with an early childhood education (ECE) provider
• Does not hold a higher-level degree in ECE, such as an associate, bachelor’s, or
  master’s degree
• Is currently placed at a Career Pathway level Entry Level or Rising Level A.

• Infant Toddler CDA
• Preschool CDA
• Family Childcare CDA

Reach out to your local Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization (ECE PDO) to determine eligibility for funding and connect to a program of coursework that best meets your needs. If eligible for PDO funding, your PDO will discuss coursework options and discuss the various types of programs. If not eligible for PDO funding, email CredentialHelp@pakeys.org for guidance around additional options.

• Attend and fully engage in all coursework
• Develop Portfolio

• This is a 6-phase process
• The CDA Council provides video tutorials for each phase. This is where you will select the
  language of your Credential, choose the language in which to take your exam, choose your
  PDS, etc.
  • Creating an Account
  • Pre-Application
  • Application
  • Pre-Submittal Review
  • Checkout
  • Ready to Schedule
• When you are in Phase 5, Checkout, you may apply for the CDA Voucher through your account in Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry (see Step 6).

To be eligible to receive a voucher for the CDA, a candidate must:

• Have a completed Career Pathway application
• Be in CHECKOUT status (phase 5) within their CDA Application
• Meet the listed requirements on the CDA Voucher Page

• Once you have received your voucher and check out, you will receive your Ready to Schedule email from the Council with instructions on how to schedule both your assessment visit and exam.
• There are two tutorial videos on the CDA Council website to help with those details.

Scores are evaluated, and the credential is awarded.

If it is not during your renewal period, complete a Career Pathway Review Form (PDF) to have this verified and your career pathway moved forward.

For specific details around the renewal process, visit cdacouncil.org.

Your credential is valid for three years from the issue date. An overview of the general requirements are:

• Take 4.5 CEUs, 45 hours of ECE PD, or one three-credit hour college course that is specific and relevant to your CDA Credential type, in the three years your credential is valid.
• Have proof of current membership in an early childhood professional organization that is valid at the time of your renewal application.
• Possess verifiable documentation of 80 hours of work experience with children in the ECE field.
• Possess proof of valid and current First Aid and Infant Child CPR
• Choose a Verifier to review your documentation.
• Submit your application online at cdacouncil.org
• There are Renewal CDA Vouchers available, following the above-mentioned processes, through The Pennsylvania Key.