May 1, 2025

Thinking about taking the big step to get your CDA?

First of all — amazing. Choosing to pursue your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a big deal. It’s a powerful way to grow as an educator, strengthen your teaching practices, and open the door to new opportunities in your early childhood education career.

But let’s be honest; it takes time, effort, and a whole lot of dedication. The process can feel overwhelming at first, and that’s exactly why this guide exists. We’ll walk you through what CDA training involves, how to get started, and how to make the process work for you.

And yes! You can do it all online!

We’ll focus on three common educator pathways: Preschool, Infant-Toddler, and Family Child Care. We’ll break down the requirements and the process step by step. Let’s get into it.

How long does it take to get a CDA? 

Most people complete their CDA Credential in 6 to 12 months, though the timeline depends on your pace, schedule, and whether you’ve already started gaining experience in the field. Because it’s self-paced and flexible, you can move as quickly or gradually as you need to.

What Is the CDA and Why Does It Matter?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a nationally recognized certification for early childhood educators working with children ages birth to 5. Offered through the Council for Professional Recognition, the CDA is designed to deepen your knowledge of child development, improve your daily practice, and support your career growth in a structured, meaningful way.

In many states, early care settings require a CDA or equivalent training to qualify for positions like assistant and lead teachers, center directors, or administrators.

But even if it’s required, that doesn’t mean it’s just a box to check. The CDA is packed with learning that helps you grow as an educator, from understanding how children develop to improving your classroom routines and relationships with families.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your classroom approach, qualify for a promotion, or simply feel more confident in your role, the CDA can help you get there.

How the CDA Process Works

The CDA isn’t a college degree program — it’s a flexible, self-paced certification that’s designed to work around your real life. You don’t have to enroll in a school or attend in-person classes. Instead, you complete the required steps in a way that works for you, even while working full-time in a child care setting.

Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Prepare: Complete your coursework and meet the basic eligibility requirements, including education and work experience.

2. Apply: Submit your documentation and application to the Council for Professional Recognition.

3. Demonstrate: Build your Professional Portfolio, complete your Verification Visit, and take the CDA Exam.

This next section will walk you through the first step — Prepare — so you know exactly what you need before you apply.

Prepare: Eligibility, Coursework, and Experience

The first step in the CDA process is Prepare, which includes meeting the basic eligibility requirements, completing your coursework, and gaining experience in the field. The good news? You can do most of it on your own schedule, while continuing to work.

To be eligible to apply for the CDA, you must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED, or be a junior or senior in a high school career and technical program in early childhood education

• Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training from a Council-approved provider (like ProSolutions Training), with at least 10 hours in each of the following subject areas:

  • Planning a safe and healthy learning environment

  • Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development

  • Supporting children’s social and emotional development

  • Building productive relationships with families

  • Managing an effective program operation

  • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism

  • Observing and recording children’s behavior

  • Understanding the principles of child development and learning

These topics apply to all CDA settings, though the examples and emphasis may vary depending on whether you're working in a preschool, infant-toddler, or family child care setting.

What does online CDA training look like?

Online CDA training gives you the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule, from anywhere. With ProSolutions Training, you can access self-paced modules that walk you through each required subject area in manageable chunks. Courses include interactive lessons, real-world scenarios, and built-in assessments to help you track your progress.

Once you complete the 120 hours of training, you’ll receive a certificate that you can submit with your CDA application. ProSolutions Training is a Council-approved provider, which means the hours you earn count toward your credential.

Finding CDA Scholarships

Before you start your training, it’s worth checking whether you qualify for state or employer-funded scholarship opportunities. Many states offer financial support through programs like T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® or workforce development grants. Some employers may also help cover the cost of your CDA coursework.

You can use the Council’s Find a CDA Scholarship tool to explore available options in your state.

Within 3 Years of Applying

You’ll also need 480 hours of professional work experience, but you don’t have to finish that before applying. You have up to three years from the date of your application to complete it.

Here’s how the experience requirement looks by setting:

• Preschool CDA: 480 hours with children ages 3 to 5 in a center-based setting

• Infant-Toddler CDA: 480 hours with children birth to 36 months in a center-based setting, including experience with young infants, mobile infants, and toddlers

• Family Child Care CDA: 480 hours in a family child care setting with children ages birth to 5

Once you’ve completed your education requirements, you're ready for the next step: building your Professional Portfolio and preparing for the Verification Visit. You can continue working toward your 480 hours of experience during this time, as long as you complete them within three years of applying.

Apply: Submitting Your CDA Application

Once you’ve met the eligibility requirements and completed your coursework, you’re ready to submit your CDA application to the Council for Professional Recognition.

The application process is straightforward, and you’ll do it all directly through the Council’s website. You’ll submit your training certificate, confirm your eligibility, pay the application fee, and select a setting (Preschool, Infant-Toddler, or Family Child Care).

After your application is approved, you’ll move into the final phase: demonstrating your knowledge and readiness in real-world settings.

Demonstrate: Portfolio, Verification Visit, and Exam

Build Your Professional Portfolio

The portfolio is a collection of your work that showcases your understanding of best practices in early childhood education. It includes three main components:

• Reflective Statements of Competence — These are six short essays (about 300–500 words each) where you reflect on how you apply the CDA subject areas in your work. Each statement is a chance to share real examples of what you do in your classroom and why it matters.

• Resource Collection Items — This is a curated set of documents, handouts, or materials that align with the CDA subject areas. Examples might include a weekly lesson plan, a sample daily schedule, a list of emergency procedures, or a handout you created for families.

• Family Questionnaires — These are surveys provided by the CDA Council that families you’ve worked with fill out. They give feedback on your communication, professionalism, and relationships with children and families.

These pieces come together to form a well-rounded picture of your knowledge, your teaching style, and the care you provide every day.

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. The CDA Council provides detailed guides and templates for each section of the portfolio. The CDA Competency Standards book also includes step-by-step instructions on how to prepare every element, from your Reflective Statements to your Resource Collection.

Many educators find the portfolio to be one of the most intensive but rewarding parts of the process. It’s a chance to reflect on your teaching philosophy, highlight what you’ve learned, and organize tools and resources that will serve you long after you earn your credential.

Schedule Your Verification Visit

After your CDA application is approved, it’s time to schedule both your CDA Verification Visit® and your CDA® Exam. The Council will notify you when you're eligible to move forward, and you can begin coordinating the next steps directly through your YourCouncil account.

The process for choosing your Professional Development Specialist (PDS) can vary slightly depending on your setting. In some cases, you may be assigned a PDS; in others, you’ll select your own using the Council’s online directory and coordinate the visit through your YourCouncil account.

More details about preparing for this phase are included in the CDA Competency Standards book. This in-person visit includes:

• A classroom observation of your teaching practice

• A review of your portfolio

• A reflective dialogue — a conversation about what you’ve learned and how you apply it in your work

This visit isn’t about being perfect. CDA PD Specialists understand the daily unpredictability (and occasional chaos) of working with young children. They’re not looking for flawless performance; they’re looking for evidence that you know what you’re doing, that you’re intentional in your work, and that you care. Just be prepared, be yourself, and show them how you support children and families every day.

Take the CDA Exam

The CDA Exam is a 65-question, computer-based test that you’ll take at a Pearson VUE testing center. It’s your responsibility to schedule the exam once you’re notified by the Council that you’re eligible.

The questions focus on early childhood best practices and are based on the CDA Competency Goals and Functional Areas. You’ll see a mix of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to reflect real situations in the classroom.

Once you complete the exam, the Council will review your full application and determine whether to award your CDA Credential.

And just like that — you did it!

Ready to Start Your CDA Journey?

If you're ready to take the next step, ProSolutions Training can help. Our Council-approved online CDA training is flexible, self-paced, and designed for working educators. You can complete the full 120-hour coursework requirement with built-in support along the way.

Visit ProSolutions Training CDA page to explore course bundles, learn about group subscriptions for centers, and get started today!