Key Takeaways
- 120 hours of education covering 8 subject areas (10 hours minimum each)
- 480 hours of work experience within 3 years of application
- CDA Exam must be passed before the Verification Visit
- Professional Portfolio includes family questionnaires, resources, and competency statements
- Verification Visit includes portfolio review, observation, and reflective dialogue
Last updated: January 2026
CDA Requirements
Earning the CDA Credential requires meeting education, experience, and assessment requirements. Here's what you need to complete.
Three Core Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | 120 hours of formal training |
| Experience | 480 hours of professional work |
| Assessment | CDA Exam + Verification Visit |
Education Requirement: 120 Hours
You must complete at least 120 hours of professional education covering the CDA subject areas. This training must include:
- At least 10 hours in each of the 8 CDA subject areas
- Training from an approved provider or institution
- Documentation (certificates, transcripts) for your portfolio
The 8 CDA Subject Areas
| # | Subject Area | Minimum Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment | 10 hours |
| 2 | Advancing children's physical and intellectual development | 10 hours |
| 3 | Supporting children's social and emotional development | 10 hours |
| 4 | Building productive relationships with families | 10 hours |
| 5 | Managing an effective program | 10 hours |
| 6 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism | 10 hours |
| 7 | Observing and recording children's behavior | 10 hours |
| 8 | Understanding principles of child development and learning | 10 hours |
Note: The remaining 40 hours can be distributed across any of the subject areas.
Experience Requirement: 480 Hours
You must have at least 480 hours of professional work experience with children in your chosen setting:
- Experience must be within 3 years of your application
- Must be with the age group for your credential setting
- Can include paid or unpaid work (internships, student teaching)
Assessment Components
1. CDA Exam (65 questions, 105 minutes)
- Taken at a Pearson VUE test center
- Must be completed before the Verification Visit
- Tests knowledge of early childhood best practices
2. Verification Visit After passing the exam, a CDA Professional Development Specialist will:
- Review your Professional Portfolio
- Observe you working with children
- Conduct a Reflective Dialogue about your practices
Professional Portfolio
You must prepare a portfolio containing:
- Family Questionnaires - Feedback from families you work with
- Resource Collection - Materials for each competency area
- Competency Statements - Written reflections on each of the 6 competency standards
- Professional Philosophy Statement - Your beliefs about working with children
Test Your Knowledge
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Test Your Knowledge
How many hours of work experience are required for the CDA?
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