Welcome to your CDA Pathway !
What is a CDA?
The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. It's a great way to advance your career in early childhood education. The CDA® is based on a core set of competency standards set by the Council for Professional Recognition guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children.
Getting Started
How does the CDA Pathway work?
We've designed our CDA Pathway to walk you through every step of the process and help you successfully earn your CDA Credential.
Check your eligibility
To earn a CDA certificate, you'll need to meet the requirements set by the CDA Council:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Select your preferred ECE. setting (Infant-Toddler, Family Childcare or Preschool are covered in our CDA Pathway)
- Complete 3 years or 480 hours of on the job experience before your exam (this can be done while you complete other requirements)
Take the CDA Pathway Courses
These courses are designed to help you navigate the CDA, stay on track and complete 120 training hours, and provide you with portfolio support.
Each course is numbered so you can complete them in order, and will cover one subject area (with the exception of the Introduction and Conclusion)
Each course is numbered so you can complete them in order, and will cover one subject area (with the exception of the Introduction and Conclusion)
Complete 120 training hours and build your Professional Portfolio
Complete our courses as part of each subject area to get the required training hours needed for your CDA. Our CDA Pathway tells you which courses to take so you meet all the requirements.
Schedule a Verification Visit and take the CDA Exam
Once you've completed all your training, the final steps are to schedule and complete your Verification Visit with the CDA Council and take the CDA Exam.
Download your CDA Pathway Checklist to stay on track!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
Start with the first CDA Pathway course by clicking the button below. At the beginning of each Subject Area, you'll have a CDA Pathway course to give you portfolio support and directions.
How much does it cost?
There are different elements required to obtain a CDA credential, and each is paid to a different source. For reference, we've included typical costs in the table below:
Where do I buy the CDA Competency Standards book?
You can buy the CDA Competency Standards book from the CDA Council website.
How long is this going to take?
That's completely up to you! The CDA has 120 hours worth of coursework. If you work 5 hours a week, then it will take you 6 months to complete the coursework.
All of our courses are self-paced, meaning you are free to stop and start them whenever it works for you.
Is financial assistance available?
Alternative funding sources and scholarships are available. Visit the CDA webpage to learn more about funding sources.
How long is a CDA good for?
The CDA Credential must be renewed every 3 years.
What is a PD Specialist?
A PD Specialist or Professional Development Specialist is a professional certified by the Council for Professional Recognition who will perform the Verification Visit.
What is the Verification Visit?
The Verification Visit is conducted by the CDA Council. This is where someone from the CDA Council will observe you working with children.
The PD Specialist you select will be the one conducting the visit. There are 3 parts to a verification visit: portfolio review, observation, and a reflection time with the PD Specialist.
Do I need to have a computer to complete the courses?
No. Our courses are mobile friendly! You can complete coursework on any device - desktop, tablet or smartphone.
Does Procare Professional Development award the CDA?
No. Procare Professional Development provides professional development training that fulfill the CDA requirements, as well as portfolio support and general information about how to obtain a CDA.
The CDA is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will administer the final exam and award the credential.
What if I need help during a course?
You can contact our dedicated support team anytime by clicking the 'Help' icon at the lower right corner of the screen
I have more questions about the CDA.
We have more answers! You contact support for more questions.
What about Renewals?
Your CDA Credential has to be renewed every 3 years.
Procare Solutions offers three renewal packages to meet your needs!
Procare Solutions offers three renewal packages to meet your needs!
Write your awesome label here.
Infant/Toddler
45 hours of training focused on Infants and Toddlers eligible to renew your CDA Credential.
Preschool
45 hours of training focused on Preschool Aged Children eligible to renew your CDA Credential.
Family Childcare
45 hours of training focused on Family Child Care eligible to renew your CDA Credential.
Ready to get started?
Click the button below to visit the first CDA Pathway course, or if you have questions, contact our support team.
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