The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a nationally recognized professional credential administered by the Council for Professional Recognition. The council is often called the CDA Council.
Obtaining a CDA credential will advance your professional development. This achievement shows others that you know how to support the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of young children. Check out our blog “How Do I Get a CDA Credential?” for more information.
So, once you know how to get your National CDA, you can check out our state child care training information pages to learn how it can be used in your state. The states accept the CDA for different requirements.
Not sure where to start? Go to our Care Courses website, select your state’s name, and then click on “how the CDA can benefit you in [the state you work in].” Or, give us a call and we can help!
Below are examples of what you can do with a CDA in a few states: Maryland, New York, Texas, and Illinois.
What are the benefits of having a CDA Credential in Maryland?
In Maryland, having a CDA:**
- (plus additional training, college credits, and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a preschool with 21 or more children, or a preschool with infants and toddlers, or in a large family childcare home.
- (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a preschool with 20 or fewer children or a school age center.
- (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a teacher in a preschool center or large family childcare home.
- (plus additional training) qualifies you to work as a provider in a family childcare home.
**Looking for free training reimbursements in Maryland? Child care providers with a MD Child Care Credential at level 2 or higher are eligible to receive up to $400 in reimbursements each year for core of knowledge training. Our CDA training is fully eligible for the MSDE training reimbursement program.
What are the benefits of having a CDA Credential in New York?
In New York State, having a CDA:
- (plus either a plan of study leading to a bachelor’s degree or a New York State Children’s Program Administrator Credential and additional experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a child day care center.
- (plus additional experience) qualifies you to work as a group teacher for preschoolers or infants and toddlers in a child daycare center.
If you are located in New York City, please refer to Article 47 of the NYC Health Code (sections 47.13, 47.15, and 47.17) or speak with your consultant from the Department of Health for the guidelines on how a CDA can be used and what requirements you need in order to work as a Group Teacher and/or Daycare Director.
What are the benefits of having a CDA Credential in Texas?
In Texas, having a CDA:
- (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a child-care center.
- (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a primary caregiver in a licensed childcare home.
- (plus additional training and experience) qualifies you to work as a director in a school-age or before- or after-school program
What are the benefits of having a CDA Credential in Illinois?
In Illinois, having a CDA:
- (plus additional experience and college credits) qualifies you to work as a childcare director of a daycare center.
- qualifies you to work as an early childhood teacher in a daycare center.
- qualifies you to work as a caregiver in a group daycare home.
Care Courses provides support throughout your training and after. We are here to help make this experience pleasant and rewarding! Start your training today!
Please let us know how we can assist you further with the CDA process! Call us: 1–800-685‑7610, Monday through Friday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings and weekends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!