Nebraska’s CDA Pathways
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.
Benefits of The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential:
- Grow your career
- Meet state licensing requirements
- Increase your own marketability
- Improve professional recognition of the field
- Implement developmentally appropriate best practices
- Display the certificate for parents to see
There are multiple pathways to earning your Child Development Associate® (CDA) in Nebraska. On the tabs below you will find links to organizations and colleges that offer CDA programs, as well as additional resources to guide you.
NDE authorized organizations that have gone through the CDA Council alignment process.
Organization |
Delivery |
Setting(s) |
| Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative*+ | Online/In-Person | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Early Learning Connection Regions | In-Person | Contact regional coordinator |
| Quorum E-Learning* | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| The Care Courses School | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, Home Visitor |
| Child Development Education | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Prosolutions Training | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| ContinuED | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Air Child Care Training Solutions | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool |
| Teachstone with CLASS | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| CDAClass.org | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool |
*Offered in Spanish
+Provides Coaching
Colleges that offer a CDA Pathway.
College |
Delivery |
Setting(s) |
| Metro Community College*+ | Online/In-Person | Infant/Toddler |
| Little Priest Tribal College | In-Person | Infant/Toddler |
| Nebraska Indian Community College | In-Person | Infant/Toddler, Preschool |
| Central Community College | Online/In-Person | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Northeast Community College | Online/In-Person | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Penn State Better Kid Care | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| Rasmussen College* | Online | Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care |
| AgriLife Extension | Online | CDA Renewals only |
*Offered in Spanish
+Provides Coaching
Below are additional resources that will help you on your path to obtaining a CDA credential.
- Council for Professional Recognition
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is administered through the Council for Professional Recognition.
- CDA Process Overview
A step-by-step overview of the Council for Professional Recognition’s CDA credentialing process.
- NDE CDA Scholarship Project
The CDA Scholarship Project provides individuals working in early childhood care and education programs in Nebraska the opportunity to apply for funds to assist with the costs of achieving a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Funds for this project come from the federal Child Care and Development Fund and may be used for the initial assessment or renewal fees. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Office of Early Childhood administers this project.
- Nebraska Extension Early Childhood Development (PD Specialist)
Nebraska Extension has partnered with the Council for Professional Recognition and the Penn State Extension Better Kid Care team to support Nebraska’s early childhood workforce. Access their list of PD Specialists that can complete infant, toddler and preschool verification visits.
- Council for Professional Recognition-Finding a PD Specialist
The Council for Professional recognition has created a directory to help CDA Candidates find a PD Specialist near their center/program.
- Schedule Your CDA Exam
CDA Candidates who have applied to the Council for Professional Recognition and have received a ready to schedule notice may schedule their CDA Exam through Pearson.
