Children's Enrichment Enterprises, Inc
Early Childhood Professional Development
Inital CDA Credential Process (120 hrs/12.0 CEU's)
Note:  The following information is provided courtesy of the Council for Professional Recognition.

An overview of the steps to obtain a CDA Credential
1.  Determine eligibility
2.  Training requirement
3.  Purchase application packet
4.  Complete assessment requirement
5.  Submit Application

1.  CDA Candidate Eligibility Requirements
Individuals seeking to apply for CDA credential 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 (see below)
Note:  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.

2.  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:  Catalog  Summary of Core of Knowledge
1. Planning a safe, healthy environment to invite learning;
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.

3.  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:
  • The Preschool Packet is for Candidates working in a center-based setting with children 3-5 years old.
  • The Infant/Toddler Packet is for Candidates working with children from birth to 36 months of age.
  • The Family Child Care Packet is for Candidates working with one or all age groups in a family child
    care home.
  • 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.
Purchase application packet  

4.  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)

5.  Submission of Application
The Direct Assessment Application Form (included in the Application Packet) is the official candidate
application for CDA assessment.  The form requires the Candidate and the Advisor to verify all eligibility and
documentation requirements.  A Candidate checklist, included in the Application Packet, should be used to
check that all procedures have been followed.  The Application Form requires consent from the Program
Director for the Candidate to participate in the Verification Visit.

The Candidate submits the application with the assessment fee ($325) and original signatures addressed to:
Council for Professional Recognition
2460 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009-3575
Online Child Development Associate (CDA) Training