For early childhood educators and child care professionals, the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is more than just a certification. It’s a reflection of your dedication to providing high-quality care and education to young children.
But like most professional certifications, maintaining your CDA credential means staying current with the latest industry standards and continuing your development as an educator. The 2025 Child Care Business Report from Procare Solutions revealed that even as ECE teachers ask for more training, roughly a quarter of respondents have no plans to implement professional training, including renewals.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to renew your CDA, including how often you need to renew, the requirements for renewal and the process to follow. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or working toward your CDA credential, we’ve got the answers to all your questions!
How Often Do You Need to Renew Your CDA?
The CDA credential needs to be renewed every three years to ensure that educators remain up to date with the latest best practices in early childhood education and care, according to the CDA Council. The renewal process allows CDA holders to demonstrate their ongoing commitment, knowledge and skills in the field.
When is Your State’s Renewal Deadline?
While the CDA credential renewal is standardized by the Council for Professional Recognition on a three-year cycle, many renewal prerequisites such as ongoing professional development or safety training have timelines that vary depending on state-specific licensing regulations.
For example, certain states may require safety training to be refreshed annually, while others might align continuing education timelines with licensing cycles. It’s critical to check your state’s specific regulations to avoid missing renewal deadlines.
Procare Professional Development is approved in all 50 states. So when you complete a course, Procare will provide instant certification and submit a record of attendance to your state registry on their behalf, if needed so that all training records are kept up-to-date!
What Are the Requirements to Renew Your CDA?
CDA renewal is designed to ensure high standards of practice among educators. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements you’ll need to fulfill:
1. Ongoing Professional Development
To renew your CDA, you must complete 45 hours of training (or 4.5 CEUs) in early childhood education. These hours need to be distributed across the CDA competency areas, which include topics such as child growth and development, safety, family engagement and learning environments.
Flexible options will help you succeed. Self-paced training courses in Procare Professional Development allow you to learn at your convenience!
2. Organizational Membership
You are required to hold (or renew) a membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization during your credential period. Examples include membership with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or other regional groups that promote professional standards in childcare and education.
3. Verification of Work Experience
You must provide verification of at least 80 hours of work experience within a setting that matches the focus of your CDA credential such as preschool, infant/toddler or family childcare. This ensures ongoing involvement and application of your skills in a practical, professional environment.
4. Recommendation from an ECE Reviewer
A recommendation letter from an early childhood education reviewer, such as a program administrator or supervisor, is required. This person should have firsthand knowledge of your work and attest to your competence as an educator.
5. Safety Training Certification
You’ll also need to ensure all required safety training such as CPR and first aid is up to date. Most certifications in these areas need to be renewed annually, so make sure your certifications are current as part of your renewal application.
How to Apply for CDA Renewal
The application process for renewing your CDA is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Log into Your CDA Council Account: Visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s official website and log into your account. From there, you can access the renewal section.
- Complete the Online Application: Fill out the required details, including your professional information, organization membership and training documentation.
- Submit Supporting Documents: Certificates or transcripts showing completion of 45 hours of professional development; signed verification of 80 work experience hours; recommendation letter from an ECE reviewer; up-to-date safety training certification(s).
- Pay the Renewal Fee: Once your documents have been reviewed, pay the necessary fee to finalize your renewal application.
Need a guide to assembling the required documentation? Many training program providers, including those offering CDA renewal classes online, can walk you through the documentation process.
How Much Does the CDA Renewal Process Cost?
The standard CDA renewal cost is $150 for online applications and $175 for paper applications. Keep in mind that this does not include costs for professional development training, organizational memberships or safety certifications, which vary by provider.
To save on costs, many educators opt for bundled training options or packages from online providers that include the required renewal training hours and additional resources.
With the CDA Pathways that is part of Procare Professional Development, you have access to the dedicated training needed to earn the CDA certification, at no extra cost, aside from purchasing required materials and application fees paid to the CDA Council. This major benefit allows you to set your center apart and provide clear career progression for your staff.
Why Staying Current Matters
Renewing your CDA credential isn’t just a regulatory requirement; it’s an opportunity to elevate your expertise, reflect on your practice, and remain competitive in the field of early childhood education. Additionally, maintaining your certification assures the families you serve that you are consistently working to provide the best care and education possible.
Unlock your team’s potential with Procare Professional Development! As an IACET-accredited provider, Procare Solutions offers IACET CEUs for all Procare Professional Development courses which are designed to streamline continuing education, provide essential training and deliver growth opportunities for childcare professionals, all at their own pace.
Procare Professional Development provides child care organizations with over 120 training hours that offer CEUs, as well as CDA pathways. Learn more how Procare Professional Development makes training your team engaging, convenient and practical!
