CDA Credentialing

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentialing

The Council for Professional Recognition administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program. The CDA Program is designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards. There are four types of credentials: preschool, infant/toddler, family child care, and home visitor. CDA Candidates must complete 120 hours of formal training, have experience in the appropriate setting, develop a professional (portfolio), distribute and collect parent questionnaires, and be observed by a CDA (Professional Development Specialists). Once the candidate has completed all of the requirements they can apply for a verification visit. The verification visit is conducted by the Professional Development Specialists. The candidate will take an exam at a Pearson Vue Testing Center.

Further information is available on the Council for Professional Recognition website.