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Earn your CDA online with Bertelsen Education

Take courses 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® 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!

What about Renewals?

Your CDA Credential has to be renewed every 3 years.

Bertelsen Education offers three renewal packages to meet your needs!
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Infant/Toddler

45 hours of training focused on Infants and Toddlers eligible to renew your CDA Credential.

Preschool

45 hours of training focused on Preschool Aged Children eligible to renew your CDA Credential.

Family Childcare

45 hours of training focused on Family Child Care eligible to renew your CDA Credential.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bertelsen Education award the CDA?

No. Bertelsen Education provides professional development training that fulfill the CDA requirements, as well as portfolio support 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 exam 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.

All of our courses are self-paced, and you will have access to them for 12 months from the date of purchase.

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:
  • Item
  • Who to purchase from
  • Cost
  • CDA Pathway - Coursework + Portfolio Support
  • Bertelsen Education
  • $375
  • CDA Competency Standards Workbook
  • CDA Council
  • $28
  • CDA Assessment
  • CDA Council
  • $425
  • Total Cost
  • $828
Note: The full cost to get a CDA varies. Alternative funding sources and scholarships are available.
Visit the CDA webpage to learn more about funding sources.

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. We also have a mobile app to make learning on the go easier!

What is a PD Specialist?

A PD Specialist or Professional Development Specialist is a professional certified by the Council for Professional Recognition who will perform the Verification Visit.

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.

The PD Specialist you select will be the one conducting the visit. There are 3 parts to a verification visit: portfolio review, observation, and a reflection time with the PD Specialist.

How long is a CDA good for?

The CDA Credential must be renewed every 3 years.

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.

Want to learn more about our CDA Package?

Sign up below.
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What are the steps to getting a CDA credential?

While Bertelsen Education provides coursework and the portfolio course, the CDA credential is issued by the CDA Council.
Our program allows you one year to complete these steps.
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 CDA Curriculum Package includes the following:
  • Coursework - 112 hours of 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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