CDA Renewal 2026: Requirements, Cost & How to Renew Your Credential
Get ready for your CDA Renewal 2026: Requirements, Cost & certification. Practice questions with step-by-step answer explanations and instant scoring.
The CDA credential renewal keeps your Child Development Associate certification active and demonstrates your continued commitment to professional development in early childhood education. The CDA practice test is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. If your credential expires, you cannot renew — you must reapply as a new applicant, which requires repeating the full application process and paying the initial application fee of $425.
Renewal applications can be submitted up to 6 months before your expiration date. The Council for Professional Recognition strongly recommends submitting at least 4–6 weeks before expiration to allow for processing. All documentation — CEU certificates, CPR card, and professional experience verification — must be submitted through the Council for Professional Recognition online portal.
CDA Renewal Requirements 2026
- ✓45 hours of continuing education (CEUs) — completed within the past 3 years, covering CDA subject areas
- ✓80 hours of professional experience working with children — within the past 3 years
- ✓Current infant/child CPR certification — must not be expired at time of renewal
- ✓Completed CDA renewal application form — submitted through the Council's online portal
- ✓$150 renewal fee — paid online via credit/debit card at cdacouncil.org
45 CEU Hours: What Qualifies
The Council for Professional Recognition accepts CEUs from a wide range of sources as long as the content covers one or more of the 8 CDA subject areas:
- Online courses from CDA-approved providers (CCEI, ProSolutions Training)
- College or university early childhood education courses
- Professional development workshops from NAEYC, Head Start, or state agencies
- Employer-sponsored training sessions with documented hours
- State child care licensing agency training programs
Each CEU activity must produce a certificate of completion listing the provider name, course title, date, and number of hours. Informal learning (reading articles, self-study) does NOT count.
Renew Your CDA vs. Re-Apply From Scratch
If your credential is expiring soon, renewing on time is almost always the better choice. Here is when renewal wins — and the rare case when starting over might make sense.
- +Only $150 renewal fee — saves $275 vs. full reapplication
- +45 CEU hours required — vs. 120 initial training hours for new applicants
- +No CDA exam required at renewal — just documentation
- +Faster process — 4–6 weeks vs. 2–4 months for new applications
- +Maintains continuous credential on your professional record
- +Existing professional portfolio does not need to be recreated
- −Full $425 application fee required to reapply
- −Must repeat 120 hours of initial training if lapsed more than 5 years
- −New CDA exam required — including the National Early Childhood Program Administration Scale observation
- −Verification visit from an approved Early Childhood Professional must be arranged
- −Longer timeline — 2–4 months minimum for new applications
- −May lose professional recognition with current employer during credential gap
Common mistakes cost CDA holders time and money during the renewal process. Here is what experienced early childhood educators recommend:
- Start CEUs 6 months early — do not wait until the renewal window opens; 45 hours takes 4–8 weeks and certificates need time to arrive
- Use a folder system for certificates — store digital PDFs by subject area as you complete each course; scrambling to find documentation at renewal time is a common delay
- Verify your mailing address in your Council account — the physical credential card goes to the address on file; outdated addresses cause delays
- Check employer-funded options first — many Head Start programs and state-funded centers cover both the $150 renewal fee and CEU costs; ask your director before paying out of pocket
- Apply for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships — these cover CEU tuition in 26+ states, reducing your out-of-pocket renewal cost to just the $150 Council fee
For what are the requirements for a CDA details, including documentation standards and the initial application process, review the complete requirements guide. Candidates exploring compensation after renewal can review CDA pay data by state and setting.
For more details, see our cdacouncil phone number guide. For more details, see our what is a cda certificate guide. For more details, see our what does cda stand for guide.CDA Renewal Questions and Answers
About the Author
Registered Sanitarian & Food Safety Certification Expert
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life SciencesThomas Wright is a Registered Sanitarian and HACCP-certified food safety professional with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Cornell University. He has 17 years of experience in food safety auditing, regulatory compliance, and foodservice management training. Thomas prepares food industry professionals for ServSafe Manager, HACCP certification, and state food handler examinations.