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Earn your CDA online with Bertelsen Education
Take courses to meet the training hour requirement and complete a portfolio course, all online 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® 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.
What are the steps to getting a CDA credential?

pricing
How much does it cost to get a CDA?
Frequently asked questions
Does Bertelsen Education award the CDA?
No. Bertelsen Education provides courses that fulfill the CDA requirements, as well as a portfolio course and general information about how to obtain a CDA.
The CDA is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will administer the final test and award the credential.
The CDA is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will administer the final test and award the credential.
Who is eligible for a CDA?
To be eligible for the CDA credential, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, although the organization now allows select third and fourth-year high school students opportunities to qualify. In addition to meeting educational and experience requirements, you must submit documented verification of your work with children.
How long does it take to get a CDA?
That's completely up to you! The CDA has 120 hours worth of coursework. If you work 5 hours a week, then it will take you 6 months to complete the coursework.
Although our courses are self-paced, you must complete all of your courses within 12 months.
Although our courses are self-paced, you must complete all of your courses within 12 months.
How much does it cost?
There are different elements required to obtain a CDA credential, and each is paid to a different source. For reference, we've included typical costs in the table below:
Do I need to have a computer to complete the courses?
No. Our courses are mobile friendly! You can complete coursework on any device - desktop, tablet or smartphone.
What is the Verification Visit?
The Verification Visit is conducted by the CDA Council. This is where someone from the CDA Council will observe you working with children.
How long is a CDA good for?
The CDA Credential must be renewed every 3 years.
CDA Curriculum Pathway
Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
Emergency Preparedness
Creating Successful Sleep for Infants + Safe Sleep
Environment
Health and Nutrition Part 1
Health and Nutrition Part 2
Potty Training in Childcare 101
Germ Busters
Classroom Management 1
Family Style Dining
Understanding the principles of child development and learning
Tools for Lifelong Learning
Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Early Childhood Educator
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP): In Action - Creating a Caring, Equitable Community of Learners
Realizing Risk and Creating Calm
Child Development: 0-24 Months
Child Development: 2-5 Years
Observing and recording children's behavior
Developmental Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding and Recognizing the Signs
Emotional Coaching
Preventing, Recognizing & Reporting Abuse & Neglect
Classroom Management 3
Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP): Observing, Documenting and Assessing Children's Learning
Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
Ethics: The Parable of the Dirty Diaper
Address Your Stress
Transportation
Connect Before You Correct
Advocating for Children
Managing an effective program operation
Conflict Management
Routines for Children in Childcare
Classroom Management 2
Setting and Planning Program Goals
Administration 101
Preschool Planning and Curriculum
Administrative Tools: Finance
Building productive relationships with families
Building Trust with Parents Through Engagement
Understanding Families
Creating Intentional Parent Meetings
Culture and Families
Parents: The Foundation
Communication with Families
Supporting children's social and emotional development
Character Bootcamp: Love and Kindness
Understanding Diversity and Promotion of Inclusion in a Childcare Setting
Teaching Self-Regulation and Self-Esteem
Behavior Management
Having Hard Conversations
Character Bootcamp: Courage
Mindfulness in Preschoolers
Character Bootcamp: Honesty
Character Bootcamp: Loyalty and Dependability
Creating Smooth Transitions
Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
Physical Activity in Children
Learning Through Play
The Importance of Literacy in Children
Teaching Vocabulary
Using STEM in Every Learning Environment
Learn to Sign
Approaches to Learning
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