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Child Development Associate® (CDA)

What's new? Get the latest early childhood education (ECE) information and resources directly to your inbox.

About

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE. The CDA Credential is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide ECE professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children.

There are four credentials offered:

  • Infant-Toddler (Birth-36 months)
  • Preschool (3-5 years)
  • Home-based Family Child Care (Birth-5 years)
  • Home Visitor (Families of Children Birth-5 years)

Benefits for an ECE provider

  • Career advancements
  • Meet job requirements
  • Reinforce your commitment to early childhood education
  • Provide parents with peace of mind
  • Understand developmentally appropriate practice
  • Increase your confidence

For more information on how a CDA credential fits in to Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathway, visit the Career Pathway page.

Obtaining a CDA is a big commitment, but one that creates confident early childhood educators with command of today’s best practices for teaching young children.

The CDA Process in Pennsylvania

There are several steps to obtaining your Child Development Associate® (CDA) in Pennsylvania. Click the "+" to expand for more information about each step.

1)Determine whether you are a candidate for the CDA.

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.

2)Determine the age-group/type of CDA that best fits your needs.

  • Infant Toddler CDA
  • Preschool CDA
  • Family Childcare CDA

3)Determine eligibility for funding your CDA and select your CDA program.

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.

4)Engage in coursework and develop a portfolio.

  • Attend and fully engage in all coursework
  • Develop Portfolio

5)Toward the end/at the end of your coursework, begin your application for your Credential on YourCouncil.org.

  • 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).

6)Apply for the CDA Voucher in the PD Registry.

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

7)Finalize your CDA application by checking out (after receiving CDA voucher).

  • 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.

8)Complete your exam and assessment visit.

Scores are evaluated, and the credential is awarded.

9)Upload your CDA Credential from the CDA Council to the PD Registry.

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.

10) Renew your CDA every three years.

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.
For more information on any step, reach out to registry@pakeys.org.

Obtain A CDA

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has implemented statewide Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization (ECE PDOs). These PDOs specialize in access to credit-bearing coursework and credentials for the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), lead by Shippensburg University and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) are the PDOs in Pennsylvania. See a regional map. (PDF)

When looking for a CDA program, your regional PDO will assist you in identifying the best program to fit your needs.

Resources

Learn More

Renew A CDA Credential

The CDA® renewal process gives you the opportunity to reaffirm your competence as Preschool, Infant-Toddler, Family Child Care or Home Visitor Child Development Associate®. A CDA credential is valid for 3 years from the award date.

NOTE: A CDA credential must be renewed before it expires. Those seeking renewal should prepare in advance and be ready to submit a complete application with supporting documents when their renewal window opens up to 6 months before their credential expires.

Resources

Learn More

Related Resources

Financial Assistance

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports degree attainment for early childhood education (ECE) professionals through several programs.

Professional Development Organizations (PDOs)

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has implemented statewide Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organization (ECE PDOs). When looking for a CDA program, your regional PDO will assist you in identifying the best program to fit your needs.

The PD Registry

The PD Registry tracks an individual’s professional achievements and provides important data about the early childhood workforce to help raise the status and compensation for early childhood education.

Contact

Council for Professional Recognition
2460 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20009-3547
Office hours: 8am – 5pm EST

800-424-4310
202-265-9090
www.cdacouncil.org

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