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CDA Renewal

CDA credentials must be renewed within three years of the date the CDA credential was awarded. CDA renewal requires 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU).

Better Kid Care awards CEUs through Distance Education lessons. Visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page to choose from the many titles offered.

CDA Renewal applicants may not repeat any Better Kid Care Distance Education Lesson done prior to renewal or done for completion toward the CDA credential. 

A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the date of award, after which it may be renewed for five-year periods. A Renewal Packet may be purchased from the Council for Professional Recognition. The Renewal Packet applies to all four types of credentials—Center-based Preschool; Center-based Infant/Toddler; Family Child Care Home; and Home Visitor. The Packet includes a Renewal Procedures booklet, a booklet of materials for use by the Early Childhood Education Professional, application form, recommendation form, and waiver request form.

CDA renewal is only for the original setting, age-level endorsement,
and specialization of Credential.

All CDA Renewal Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Documented proof of a current Red Cross or other agency First Aid Certificate.
• Documented proof of at least 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a three-credit course in early childhood education/child development, principles of adult learning, mental health counseling, etc. These hours must be in addition to the original 120 clock hours required when the candidate obtained the CDA Credential. Bilingual CDAs must meet this requirement with coursework incorporating bilingual issues.
• Documented proof of recent (within past year) work experience with young children or families of young children (a minimum of 80 hours).
• A completed Letter of Recommendation Form regarding the candidate's competence with young children prepared by an Early Childhood Education Professional.
• Documented proof (within current year) of membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization. A list of national organizations is included in the renewal application packet and appears in another section of this Web site: See “CDA Resources­Early Childhood Organizations.”

For more information or to order a Renewal Packet, visit the Council for Professional Recognition Web site or call 800-424-4310.

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