How do I get a Birth to Five CDA?

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CDA 101: A Practical Guide to Understanding the CDA Process

Care Courses can help. The training portion of your CDA can be completed with Care Courses, and our specialists can answer questions about all of the steps. Confused? Contact us at 1-800-685-7610 or send an email to: cda@CareCourses.com for help.

1. To prepare for your CDA, you must satisfy these requirements:

  • Hold a high school diploma, or equivalent, or are a junior or senior in a high school vocational program in early education.
  • Be able to speak, read, and write well enough to perform the responsibilities of a CDA.
  • Complete 120 clock hours of formal childcare training (specific to the credential type). Take Care Courses CDA course set to meet this requirement!
  • Have 480 hours of experience (volunteer or paid) working in a center-based child care setting with children ages birth to 5 years, within 3 years prior to submitting your CDA application. This experience should include at least 160 hours in each sub-age group within the center-based setting:
    • At least 160 hours of experience working with infants (birth to 17 months).
    • At least 160 hours of experience working with toddlers (18 months to 36 months).
    • At least 160 hours of experience working with preschoolers (3 to 5 years).
  • Purchase a CDA Competency Standards book from the Council: YourCouncil.org. Choose the book specific to the setting for which you wish to apply (Family Child Care, Infant/Toddler Center-Based, Preschool Center-Based, or Birth to Five Center-Based). Read the CDA Competency Standards book carefully. We recommend that you order this book from the Council as soon as possible.
  • Develop a Professional Portfolio (within 6 months prior to submitting your CDA application) that includes: Family Questionnaires, Resource Collection items, Reflective Statements of Competence, and a Personal Philosophy Statement. The Professional Portfolio also requires proof of a first aid course and infant/child (pediatric) CPR course offered by a nationally-recognized training organization such as the American Red Cross. You can use our How to Create Your Professional Portfolio video to assist you.

2. To apply for your CDA, you must:

  • Find a Professional Development Specialist in your area using the Find a PD Specialist link on the Council’s website, and get his/her ID number.
  • Submit your application online at YourCouncil.org ($425) or submit by mail to the Council ($500).
    • Please note: On February 9, 2025, the Council for Professional Recognition announced that they will be updating the pricing for the CDA application fee. Starting August 1, 2025, the online CDA application fee will be $525 and the paper application fee will be $600. Paper CDA applications need to be submitted by July 1, 2025, and online applications by July 31, 2025 to receive the current CDA application fee pricing.

3. Once you have completed the steps above, await the Council’s Ready to Schedule notification and then schedule your Verification Visit and CDA Exam.

  • Candidates must have a verification visit at a state-licensed or legally exempt child development center where the CDA Professional Development Specialist will observe them working with at least three children in the infant-toddler range of birth to 36 months or at least six preschoolers ranging in age from three to five years old.

4. And finally, await the Council’s decision as they review your Cumulative Score from the Verification Visit and the CDA Exam.

Are you ready to start your Birth to Five Center-Based CDA? Start your CDA classes today!