Renew Your CDA®
Your CDA credential is authentication of your competence, valuable skill set and early childhood body of knowledge.
Keep Your CDA® Active
The CDA® renewal process gives you the opportunity to reaffirm your competence as Infant-Toddler, Preschool, Birth to Five, Family Child Care or Home Visitor Child Development Associate®. A CDA credential is valid for 3 years from the award date.
Please note: You must renew your CDA credential before it expires. Make sure to prepare in advance and be ready to submit a complete application with supporting documents when your renewal window opens. You may submit your CDA renewal application up to 6 months before your credential expires. You can only renew in the setting of your original credential and all renewal requirements must be met in that setting, even if you no longer work in that setting.
CDA® RENEWAL PROCESS UPDATES - EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2025
- Improved CDA Exam Sequence– Candidates will now take the CDA Exam before scheduling the verification visit, allowing for a more efficient and focused assessment process.
- Streamlined Renewal Requirements – First Aid and CPR certification will no longer be required at the time of renewal. This requirement is regulated by state licensing agencies and at the child care program level.
- Introducing the New CDA Digital Credential – You’ll be able to showcase your CDA achievement with a verifiable digital credential perfect for sharing on LinkedIn and other professional platforms.
- Updated CDA® Application Pricing – To apply for CDA renewal online, the fee is $250. To apply for CDA renewal by mail, the fee is $300.
- CDA® Paper Application Process Ending – The final day paper applications will be accepted is December 31, 2025.
The CDA® Renewal Process
Use our free CDA Renewal Procedures Guide to successfully prepare and complete the renewal process. Download your setting-specific CDA renewal procedures guide based on the credential you are seeking to renew.
- The infant-toddler, preschool, birth to five, and family child care settings are covered in one how-to booklet: CDA Renewal Procedures Guide
- The home visitor setting is covered in a separate booklet: CDA Renewal Procedures Guide – Home Visitor Setting
You will also want to download the Information Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer booklet to help your ECE Reviewer correctly fill out the required information for your renewal application:
- Information Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer for Preschool, Infant-Toddler and Family Child Care settings
- Information Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer for Home Visitor setting
If you would like a printed copy of The CDA Renewal Procedures Guide, you may call our Customer Support team at 800-424-4310 to have one mailed to you. Customers will be responsible for the cost of shipping the guide.
- Gather required documentation. Detailed instructions and forms are provided in The CDA Renewal Procedures Guide.
- Watch the free YourCouncil renewal tutorials series. These short tutorials walk you through the online application process.
- Apply for the CDA® renewal. Once you meet all requirements, you are ready to fill out and submit your CDA renewal application. To apply for CDA renewal online, the fee is $250. To apply for CDA renewal by mail, the fee is $300. Remember: You may submit your CDA renewal application as early as six months prior to your CDA credential expiration date.
We highly recommend applying for CDA renewal online. You will be able to upload your documents directly into your online application, submit payment electronically and track your progress.
Follow the instructions below to access your online YourCouncil account:
- Click “Reset Password” button below.
- Enter the current email address the Council has on file for you.
- Click “Submit”.
- You will receive an email with your username and temporary password.
You may also renew your CDA credential by mailing in a paper application. Note: The final day paper applications will be accepted is December 31, 2025. If applying on paper, please mail complete renewal application with required documentation and payment to:
Council for Professional Recognition
1441 L Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
For an overview of the CDA renewal process, click the image or download button below.
Most candidates are automatically renewed upon submission of a completed application and payment. However, a percentage of applicants will be randomly selected for audit before their renewal is awarded to ensure compliance and quality control.
- If selected for audit, all documentation submitted with your application will be reviewed by the Council to confirm that training, membership, and experience requirements have been met and the appropriate documentation was provided.
- If documentation issues arise, you will be notified via email and given 30 calendar days to submit the correct documentation. Once the required documentation is provided, your renewal will be awarded.
- If the correct documentation is not submitted within 30 days, your application will expire, and the renewal fee will be forfeited. If you are still within your renewal eligibility window, you may submit a new renewal application and payment.