The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential requires 120 hours of formal early childhood education classes — approved by the Council for Professional Recognition — before you can apply. CDA classes are available in-person at community colleges and training centers, as well as fully online. Costs range from $50 to $695 depending on format and provider. This guide covers how to find accredited CDA classes near you, what topics they must cover, how many hours you need per subject area, and how your class hours count toward the CDA credential.
CDA classes are formal early childhood education coursework that counts toward the 120 required training hours for the CDA credential. These classes must address the 8 subject areas defined by the Child Development Associate framework — from child development and health to family engagement and professional practices.
Classes can be taken at a community college, a training center, through a Head Start program, or via online providers. The Council for Professional Recognition does not maintain an official approved-provider list, but your coursework must clearly map to the 8 CDA subject areas and provide a certificate of completion showing your name, course title, subject area, hours, and completion date.
Importantly, CDA classes are separate from your 480-hour professional experience requirement — that must be earned by working directly with children in a licensed early childhood setting and cannot be fulfilled through coursework alone.
Local community colleges offer in-person and hybrid ECE classes that satisfy CDA training requirements. Typically $50–$150 per 3-credit course. 1 semester credit = 10 clock hours for CDA purposes.
Providers like ProSolutions Training offer complete 120-hour CDA class packages organized by subject area. Cost: $199–$499 for the full package. Certificates available immediately upon completion.
Many Head Start programs and large child care centers offer free CDA classes to employees as a workforce development benefit. Hours typically provided during work time or evenings.
Most states run Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) training registries with CDA-aligned courses. Many are free or heavily subsidized for eligible childcare providers.
Conferences and workshops from NAEYC, NAFCC, and state ECE associations can count as CDA class hours. Typically 1–8 hours per event; certificates must specify subject area coverage.
Finding accredited CDA classes near you is straightforward with the right resources. Start with these approaches:
For fully remote options with no commuting required, see our guide to early childhood education online programs.
Collect certificates of completion for every CDA class. Each certificate must show your name, course title, subject area, hours, and completion date.
Work directly with children in a licensed early childhood setting. Your director or supervisor verifies these hours — they cannot be fulfilled through classes alone.
Compile all class certificates, family questionnaires, observation records, and your professional philosophy statement. Upload everything to MyCouncil® portal.
Apply through MyCouncil® and pay the $425 application fee. Your application must be submitted within 3 years of completing your first qualifying class.
Meet with a CDA Professional Development Specialist and pass the 65-question written exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Once you earn your CDA, you must complete 45 hours of continuing education classes every 3 years for CDA renewal. These renewal classes can be taken online or in-person from the same providers that offer initial CDA training. The renewal fee is $150 paid through MyCouncil®. Renewal classes do not need to cover all 8 subject areas — but they must be relevant to early childhood education and professional development.
Not all early childhood education courses qualify as CDA classes. Before enrolling, verify that the program:
If you're unsure whether a specific class qualifies, contact the Council for Professional Recognition directly before enrolling. See also our full guide to CDA requirements for eligibility details and our CDA training overview for complete program options.