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Procedure for renewing the CDA Credential
—a process to promote continued professional development

• Renewal criteria
• Renewal process
• Continuing Education Units

A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the award date, after which it may be renewed in five-year increments. The purpose of the CDA renewal is to ensure that Child Development Associates are maintaining current knowledge and skills in their work with young children and families.

Renewal criteria

All CDA Renewal Candidates must meet the following five criteria:

1. Documented proof of a current Red Cross or other agency First Aid Certificate.
   
2. Documented proof of at least 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a three-credit-hour course in early childhood education/child development, principles of adult learning, mental health counseling, etc. These hours must be in addition to the original 120 clock hours required when the Candidate obtained the CDA Credential. Bilingual CDAs must meet this requirement with coursework incorporating bilingual issues.
   
3. Documented proof of recent (within past year) work experience with young children or families of young children (a minimum of 80 hours).
   
4. A completed Letter of Recommendation Form regarding the CDA's competence with young children prepared by an Early Childhood Education Professional.
   
5. Documented proof (within current year) of membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization. A list of national organizations appears in another section of this website: see “CDA Resources—Early Childhood Organizations”.

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Renewal process

CDA Credentials are valid for three years from the date of the initial award, or five years from the date of renewal. A CDA Credential may only be renewed for the original setting, age-level endorsement, and specialization. The renewal process involves three steps:

•  Purchase a Renewal Packet : A Renewal Packet may be purchased for $13 plus $5 shipping and handling. The Renewal Packet applies to all four types of credentials—Center-based Preschool; Center-based Infant/Toddler; Family Child Care Home; and Home Visitor. The Packet includes a Renewal Procedures booklet, a booklet of materials for use by the Early Childhood Education Professional, application form, recommendation form, and waiver request form.

* Book fee does not include shipping and handling charges

To order online, go to Bookstore—Assessment Materials or
for telephone, fax, or mail orders, print the Order Form.

•  Compile required documentation as outlined in the five Renewal Criteria. Specific instructions are provided in the Renewal Packet , including information relative to identifying an Early Childhood Education Professional to prepare the recommendation form and subject areas for the required course work.

•  Mail all required documents to the Council including the application and the $50 renewal fee. Upon receipt, Council staff will review the materials for completeness. If all materials are in order, the Council will award the CDA Renewal Credential. If the materials are incomplete, the Council will notify the Renewal Candidate who will be given the opportunity to resolve the problem within a specified time period.

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Continuing Education Units

This section summarizes information relative to frequently asked questions about Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Q: What are CEUs?

A: Units awarded for participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. They are non-credit educational experiences. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is ten (10) contact hours of study.

Q: Who issues CEUs?

A: Various post-secondary institutions offer CEUs. Contact the adult education or continuing education department at a community college or vocational institution. Other good sources of information include: center directors; education coordinators; resource and referral agencies; and Affiliate Group representatives of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Q: Are there criteria for agencies awarding CEUs?

A: Yes, the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) issues standards for educational entities that award CEUs. The Council strongly recommends that CDAs seek training from agencies that meet the IACET criteria for Continuing Education and Training. The criteria, with guidelines and required practices, can be found at: www.iacet.org/resources/documents.htm .

Q: Will CEUs count toward college credit if I want to get an A.A. or B.A. degree?

A: Not necessarily . Before deciding to obtain CEU training, ask the agency sponsoring the CEU if it has negotiated a collaborative agreement with a college to convert CEUs to academic credit.

Q: Will a record be kept of the CEUs I've earned?

A: The program should keep a record of the course(s), the date(s), and the number of CEUs awarded for at least seven (7) years. Ask the agency/program sponsoring the training.

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