CDA Certification in Texas – How to Get Your CDA (120 Hours Online) | Care Courses CDA certification in Texas—self-paced online training for child care professionals

CDA Certification in Texas: Steps & Benefits

Steps to earning the CDA in Texas

  1. The first step is to choose your setting: Infant/Toddler CDA, Preschool CDA, Birth to Five CDA, or Family Child Care CDA. 
  2. Then, complete 120 hours of formal ECE training covering the CDA Subject Areas.
  3. Next, build your CDA professional portfolio.
  4. While you are working on the other steps, gain the required recent work experience (480 hours).
  5. Finally, apply to the Council for Professional Recognition and pass the CDA exam and verification visit.

120-hour training (online or CourseBook + online)

After you choose your setting, begin your coursework with Care Courses. Our CDA training is self-paced, delivered online (or in CourseBook + online format), and provides printable certificates and a transcript. 

Start your Child Development Associate (CDA) training (120 hours) if you’re a new applicant, or complete your CDA renewal (45 hours) if you already hold the credential. Both options are self-paced, available online (or CourseBook + online), and include printable certificates and a transcript. For other Texas-accepted training and information, see our Texas Childcare Training page.

Start CDA Training (120 Hours) See CDA Steps

What are the benefits of a CDA? General benefits include:

  • The CDA helps you advance your career as a nationally recognized marker of ECE competency.
  • It can help you meet job requirements in many programs and pathways nationwide.
  • It shows professionalism and a strong commitment to early childhood education.
  • It gives families confidence because the credential signals quality and safety.
  • It supports the use of developmentally appropriate practice based on CDA standards.
  • It increases your confidence as an educator. 

Benefits of a CDA in Texas include:

According to the CDA Council, over 83,000 CDA Credentials have been awarded in Texas. Having a CDA certification is a great achievement!

  • Having a CDA (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a child-care center.
  • Having a CDA (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a primary caregiver in a licensed childcare home.
  • Having a CDA (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a school-age or before- or after-school program.

Care Courses: Recognized as an Official CDA Council Partner

CDA Council partnership recognition seal

FAQs

Requirements vary by role and program. Many employers prefer a CDA, and it may help you qualify for specific positions. Check your program’s policies and current Texas licensing guidance.

Yes. Care Courses offers self-paced online training (or CourseBook + online) for the full 120 hours with printable certificates and a transcript. Our training can be done from anywhere.

Pace varies by schedule and experience. Many learners complete the 120 hours over a few months.