Write your awesome label here.

Renew your CDA online with Procare Professional Development

Take courses to meet the 45 training hour requirement all online and on your own time!

Getting Started

How do I renew my CDA Certificate?

We've designed our CDA Pathway to walk you through every step of the process and help you successfully earn your CDA Credential.

Prepare to renew your credential

You'll need to submit your renewal application before your CDA credential expiration date. You can begin this process as early as 6 months before the expiration date.

The CDA council provides a helpful renewal procedures guide on their website that you can use as you prepare.

Complete 45 training hours for your chosen focus area

Complete our courses listed below for each focus area to get the required training hours needed for your CDA.

You will need to take different courses than the ones you originally took when applying for your CDA.

Meet the requirements outlined by the CDA

To renew your CDA Credential, you must meet certain requirements as outlined by the CDA Council:

Be a current or active member of an early childhood professional organization
Complete 80 hours of work within 1 year of submitting your renewal application
Have a valid and current certification in First Aid and both Infant and Child (Pediatric) CPR

The CDA council provides a helpful renewal procedures guide on their website that outlines what documentation you need to provide for the above requirements.

Submit your renewal application

Once you've completed all your training, gathered the documentation and met the requirements, you're ready to submit your renewal application.

It's important to remember the council must receive your application before your expiration date, or you will have to reapply to obtain a new credential.

Which courses should I take?

Infant/Toddler

Complete this group of courses if you earned your CDA with the Infant/Toddler focus.

Course List:

Environment
Creating Successful Sleep for Infants + Safe Sleep
Potty Training in Childcare 101
Play to Learn: Discovering Learning Through Play
Learn to Sign
Teaching Self-Regulation and Self-Esteem
Parents: The Foundation
Building Trust with Parents Through Engagement
Setting and Planning Program Goals
Advocating for Children
Connect Before You Correct
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) In Action: Observing, Documenting and Assessing Children's Learning
Developmental Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding and Recognizing the Signs
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): In Action - Creating a Caring, Equitable Community of Learners
Child Development: 0-24 Months
Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Early Childhood Educator
Little Learners, Big Words: Teaching Vocabulary Ages 0-5
Chaos to Creativity: Embracing the Power of Messy Play
Celebrating Differences: Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Childcare
Data-Driven Decisions

Preschool

Complete this group of courses if you earned your CDA with the Preschool focus.

Course List:

Environment
Using STEM in Every Learning Environment
Creating Smooth Transitions
Teaching Self-Regulation and Self-Esteem
Mindfulness for Preschoolers
Parents: The Foundation
Building Trust with Parents Through Engagement
Preschool Planning and Curriculum
Advocating for Children
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): In Action - Creating a Caring, Equitable Community of Learners
Developmental Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding and Recognizing the Signs
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) In Action: Observing, Documenting and Assessing Children's Learning
Realizing Risk and Creating Calm
Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Early Childhood Educator
Child Development 2-5 Years
Creating Intentional Parent Meetings
Celebrating Differences: Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Childcare
Designing Successful Classroom Routines
Chaos to Creativity: Embracing the Power of Messy Play

Family Child Care

Complete this group of courses if you earned your CDA with the Family Child Care focus.

Course List:

Environment
Family Style Dining
Using STEM in Every Learning Environment
Teaching Self-Regulation and Self-Esteem
Building Trust with Parents Through Engagement
Parents: The Foundation
Setting and Planning Program Goals
Creating Intentional Parent Meetings
Advocating for Children
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): In Action - Creating a Caring, Equitable Community of Learners
Routines for Children in Childcare
Developmental Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding and Recognizing the Signs
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) In Action: Observing, Documenting and Assessing Children's Learning
Realizing Risk and Creating Calm
Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Early Childhood Educator
Preparing for Emergencies: How Building a Plan Makes All the Difference
Celebrating Differences: Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Childcare
Little Learners, Big Words: Teaching Vocabulary Ages 0-5
Chaos to Creativity: Embracing the Power of Messy Play

Frequently asked questions

How often do I need to renew my CDA?

Your CDA credential is valid for three years from the date of award. You may apply to renew your CDA credential 6 months before it expires.

What do I need to renew my CDA?

To renew your CDA, you will need:

Proof of your valid and current certificates of completion from a face to face first aid course and an infant child pediatric CPR course, both offered by a nationally recognized training organization (such as American Red Cross or the American Heart Association). Online training is not accepted.
Proof of professional education training courses, specific to your original credential setting. At least 4.5 continuing education units (CEU's) or 45 clock hours are required. These hours must be completed after your original 120 clock hours you obtained in order to earn your initial CDA credential and the same courses cannot be used again.
Proof of a minimum of 80 hours of recent work experience with young children specific to your original credential setting within the last year.
A completed recommendation form from an early childhood professional regarding your current skills in working with young children specific to your original credential setting. This form can be found in the CDA Renewal Procedures Guide, which is available for download from the Council For Professional Recognition’s website.
Proof of current membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization.

To learn more about CDA Renewal or view the CDA Renewal Procedures Guide, please visit www.cdacouncil.org/renewal.

Do I submit all these things to you?

No, you will submit your application and proof of all required items to the Council For Professional Recognition on their website.

What part of my CDA Renewal do I complete on your website?

We provide the necessary 45 hours of training required to renew your CDA.

Which renewal bundle should I choose?

Choose the renewal bundle that reflects the setting you chose when earning your initial CDA Credential (Infant-Toddler, Preschool, or Family Child Care)

Why are there different renewal bundles?

Each bundle’s courses are specifically chosen to highlight that setting of care. For example, courses in the Infant-Toddler bundle will have courses on subjects like safe sleep or potty training while those subjects won’t appear in the Preschool bundle.

How much does it cost?

You will pay a renewal fee when you submit your renewal application. This fee is $125.

Questions about renewals?

Learn more about CDA Renewals from the CDA Council.