Renew Your CDA™
Continue Learning. Strengthen Practice. Maintain Your Professional Credential.
Explore professional education and credential renewal preparation designed for experienced early childhood educators.
Your CDA Journey Continues
Earning your Child Development Associate credential is a professional achievement. Renewal provides an opportunity to build on your experience and continue developing current early childhood practices.
EECC is developing continuing education options designed for educators maintaining their professional CDA credentials.
Standard CDA credential validity period
One qualifying education option for renewal
Earliest renewal application submission window
Your renewal application must be submitted before your credential expires. Education is only one part of the Council’s full renewal requirements.
Professional Learning for CDA Renewal
Continuing education should be relevant to your credential setting and support your ongoing professional competence.
Safe and Healthy Environments
Strengthen knowledge of child safety, supervision, hygiene, and health practices.
Child Development and Learning
Explore developmentally appropriate experiences supporting children across developmental domains.
Social-Emotional Development
Build responsive relationships and positive approaches to behavior guidance.
Family Engagement
Strengthen communication, respect, and meaningful partnerships with families.
Program Management
Review organization, quality improvement, professional procedures, and daily operations.
Professionalism and Ethics
Continue developing reflective practice, professional responsibilities, and lifelong learning.
What Does CDA Renewal Require?
The Council reviews several forms of professional evidence as part of the renewal process.
Continued Education
Document qualifying education completed after your current CDA credential’s issue date. One option is 45 clock hours.
Professional Experience
Document the required recent experience working with young children in the applicable setting.
Professional Organization Membership
Maintain qualifying membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization.
First Aid and CPR
Maintain required current first aid and infant/child CPR certification according to Council guidance.
ECE Reviewer Recommendation
Arrange the required professional recommendation and related verification.
Complete Renewal Application
Apply directly through the Council for Professional Recognition and submit all required information.
Training completion certificates should include the provider, candidate, training date, course title, training hours, relevant credential age group, and authorized signature.
Candidates must verify that their education meets the Council’s requirements. Completing training does not automatically result in renewal.
Plan Your CDA Renewal
Check Your Expiration Date
Review your current CDA credential and determine your renewal window.
Review the Requirements
Identify which documentation and education you still need.
Complete Qualifying Education
Choose eligible training specific to your original credential setting.
Submit Your Renewal
Follow the Council’s application process within the permitted timeframe.
How EECC Plans to Support Your Renewal
Self-Paced Learning
Complete applicable professional education courses online when they become available.
Individual Certificates
Receive course-specific documentation for successfully completed qualifying training.
Credential-Specific Education
Choose training relevant to Infant–Toddler, Preschool, Birth–Five, or Family Child Care settings.
Professional Support
Access information about current renewal procedures and resources from the Council.
EECC’s dedicated renewal offering is in development. The page does not currently provide access to a purchasable 45-hour package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must I renew my CDA?
The standard CDA credential validity period is three years. Submit your renewal application before your credential expires.
Do I need another 120 hours?
No. The initial 120-hour education requirement differs from renewal. One renewal education option is 45 qualifying clock hours.
Can I repeat my original training?
Renewal education must meet the Council’s current requirements. Do not assume courses previously completed for your initial CDA or earlier renewals can be counted again.
When can I apply for renewal?
The Council permits submission up to six months before expiration. Applications must be submitted before the credential expires.
Can EECC award my renewed CDA?
No. EECC provides training and preparation. The Council for Professional Recognition makes credential renewal decisions.
Review the Council’s Requirements
Always confirm eligibility, documentation requirements, deadlines, and application instructions directly with the Council for Professional Recognition.
View Official CDA Renewal RequirementsContinue Your CDA Journey With EECC
Request information about upcoming continuing education opportunities and CDA renewal preparation support.
Request Renewal InformationEECC provides professional education and preparation. The CDA credential is awarded and renewed by the Council for Professional Recognition.