An overview of the steps to obtain a CDA Credential

• Determine eligibility
• Meet training requirement
• Purchase application packet
• Complete assessment requirement
  or
• CDA Professional Preparation Program(P3 )

Determine eligibility

Candidates seeking to apply for CDA assessment in any of the three settings (center-based, family child care, and home visitor) must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past five years
• Have 120 clock hours of formal child care education within the past five years

Candidates applying for a Bilingual Endorsement must meet the above requirements and be able to speak, read, and write well enough in both English and another language to understand and be understood by both children and adults.

Training requirement

The eligibility requirement for CDA Candidates to have 120 clock hours of formal child care education may be met through participation in the wide variety of training available in the field, including in-service. While the formal education hours can be credit or noncredit, the hours must be through an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation. The agency or organization must provide verification of the Candidate's education in the form of a transcript, certificate, or letter.

The 120 clock hours of education must be documented, with no fewer than 10 hours in each of the following content areas:

1. Planning a safe, healthy, learning environment
2. Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development;
3. Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development;
4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families;
5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation;
6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism;
7. Observing and recording children's behavior; and
8. Principles of child development and learning.

Purchase application packet

Individuals who meet all the Candidate eligibility requirements and who can be observed in an eligible setting are ready to purchase an application packet appropriate for the type of credential they wish to receive.

1. The Preschool Packet is for Candidates working in a center-based setting with children 3-5 years old.
2. The Infant/Toddler Packet is for Candidates working with children from birth to 36 months of age.
3. The Family Child Care Packet is for Candidates working with one or all age groups in a family child care home.
4. The Home Visitor Packet is for Candidates working with the parents of young children.

These Application Packets contain ALL of the documents Candidates will need to apply for CDA assessment. Each packet is customized for the selected child care setting and contains two copies of the CDA Competency Standards Book; instructions and instrument for the observation; scholarship information; parent questionnaires; and the application form.

To order online go to Bookstore - CDA Assessment Materials
or for
telephone, fax, or mail order instructions, print the Order Form.

Complete assessment requirement

Upon receipt of an Application Packet, a Candidate is ready to begin working on the requirements for CDA assessment. These requirements are completed in three phases: preparation of necessary materials; filing of application; and verification of competence and knowledge.

Preparation: The first set of requirements involves the Candidate documenting evidence of her or his competence from the following three sources:

1.The Professional Resource File (prepared by the Candidate)
2.The Parent Opinion Questionnaires (collected by the Candidate)
3.The CDA Assessment Observation Instrument (completed by the Advisor)

Application: When the above documentation is complete, the Candidate and Advisor sign the Application Form and send it to the Council with the assessment fee ($325) and training documentation. This begins the CDA Assessment Process and the Council assigns a Council Representative to conduct the Verification Visit.

Verification Visit: The second set of requirements involves a Council Representative visiting the Candidate to verify competence and knowledge using two methods:

4.The Early Childhood Studies Review (administered by the Council Representative)
5.The Oral Interview (conducted by the Council Representative)

Details about the assessment and credential process are presented in a separate website section "CDA Assessment System" .

CDA Professional Preparation Program (P 3 )

The CDA Professional Preparation Program (CDA P3 ), the Council's one-year training program, is for individuals with no child care experience and/or education, as well as for those who are already employed in the child care field. The Council's training curriculum, Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children, 2 nd Edition (Essentials), divides P 3 study into three phases:

Phase 1- Field Work: Candidates work with children in child care settings and complete readings and exercises under the guidance of a Field Advisor.

Phase 2 - Course Work: Candidates participate in child development seminars and take a written examination.

Phase 3 - Final Evaluation: Documents prepared by the Candidate and results of observations and interviews are submitted to the Council for review and decision.

The tuition for the CDA P3 is $1,500. This fee covers both training and assessment.

Individuals interested in the CDA Professional Preparation Program (P3) should call the Candidate Services Department at the Council for more information 800-424-4310 or 202-295-9090.