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Earn your CDA with Bertelsen Education

Take CDA classes online to meet the training hour requirement with portfolio support, all online and on your own time!

What is a CDA?

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. It's a great way to advance your career in early childhood education. The CDA® certification is based on a core set of competency standards set by the Council for Professional Recognition that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children.

How do I earn my CDA Credential?

There are 4 steps to earning a CDA Credential.
Our CDA Pathway provides you with professional development training and portfolio support, so you are well prepared for your Verification Visit and CDA Exam.

Prepare

Before you apply:
Complete 120 hours of professional education covering the 8 CDA subject areas
Within 3 years of applying:
Work 480 hours with children in your chosen age group
Within 6 months of submitting your application:
Prepare your professional portfolio

Apply

Submit your application and pay the application fee
Select a PD Specialist
Complete Director's Permission Statement
Receive Ready to Schedule notification

Demonstrate

Schedule Verification Visit
Show Professional Portfolio at Verification Visit
Take the CDA Exam

Earn

Celebrate your accomplishment!

Pricing

The CDA Pathway from Bertelsen Education makes earning your CDA Credential easy and fun at a competitive price!
  • Additional fees paid to the CDA Council will apply. See FAQs.

CDA Pathway

Prepare to Earn Your CDA Credential
$375
Per Person

  • 120 hours of professional development training across 8 CDA Subject Areas

  • Includes Portfolio Support
  • Entirely online and self-paced

  • Access for 12 months

Q&A

Why is having a CDA important for early childhood educators? 

The Child Development Associate credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education and is key for career advancement in ECE, according to the Council for Professional Recognition. The CDA is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children.

The CDA allows early educators to meet state and national requirements, and it demonstrates their knowledge, skills and abilities when working with young children. Early childhood educators with a CDA have more career-advancement opportunities. Plus, these educators gain knowledge in child growth and development, curriculum planning and behavior management through coursework and practical experience.  
Q&A

What are the requirements for earning a CDA?

Candidates must show proof of high school education with a valid high school diploma, a GED or through enrollment as a junior or senior in a high school career/technical program in early childhood education, according to the Council for Professional Regulation.

Applicants must complete 120 clock hours of professional early childhood education, including 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas and have 480 hours of work experience working with children in the age group matching the CDA application.

Then candidates must select a CDA professional development specialist, who will conduct a verification visit and a family questionnaire and professional portfolio must be completed. The candidate must pass a test to earn the CDA. 
Q&A

Tips for Earning Your CDA

Be organized and set small, manageable goals. Aim to complete a certain number of training hours or portfolio components each week. Make sure your supervisors know that you’re working toward a CDA -- they might offer support such as flexible work hours. And connect with fellow CDA candidates working toward the same goal! Sharing experiences, resources and advice can be invaluable. Form a study group to support each other.

CDA Curriculum Pathway

View required courses and exams that you will take as part of our CDA Curriculum Package. You can also download a PDF of our CDA Pathway using the button below.
Subject Area 1
Subject Area 2
Subject Area 3
Subject Area 4
Subject Area 5
Subject Area 6
Subject Area 7
Subject Area 8
subject area 1

Planning a safe and healthy learning environment

9 required courses
19 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 1.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 8

Understanding the principles of child development and learning

6 required classes
12 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 8.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 7

Observing and recording children's behavior

5 required classes
10 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 7.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 6

Maintaining a commitment to professionalism

5 required classes
11 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 6.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 5

Managing an effective program operation

7 required classes
13 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 5.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 4

Building productive relationships with families

6 required classes
13 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 4.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 3

Supporting children's social and emotional development

10 required classes
20 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 3.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.
subject area 2

Advancing children's physical and intellectual development

7 required classes
15 training hours
The following are required to complete Subject Area 2.
Click the + to learn more about each course.
*Be sure to keep your coursework as you complete these courses. You will use it as part of your portfolio.

What are the steps to getting a CDA credential?

While Bertelsen Education provides online CDA courses and the portfolio course, the CDA credential is issued by the CDA Council.
Our program allows you one year to complete these steps.
Infographic describing how to earn a CDA certification online
pricing

How much does it cost to get a CDA?

Bertelsen Education offers a CDA Curriculum Package, which gives you all the coursework and test prep you need for the CDA.


Note: The cost to get a CDA varies. Alternative funding sources and scholarships are available. Visit the CDA webpage to learn more about funding sources.
Our Online CDA Curriculum Package includes the following:
  • Coursework - 112 hours of CDA training courses
  • Section review - 8 hours of review for each of the CDA subject areas
  • Test prep - 8 subject area test prep questions
Total Cost* = $375
* An additional $450 for a CDA workbook and the certification test is paid directly to Council for Professional Recognition
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