Your CDA credential represents more than a milestone — it reflects the time, effort, and investment you’ve made in your education and career. For many early childhood professionals, maintaining an active CDA is also essential to qualify for certain job roles and leadership opportunities.
If your credential is nearing expiration (or has already expired), you’re likely wondering what to do next.
This guide is for early childhood professionals renewing a Preschool, Infant/Toddler, or Family Child Care CDA credential. We’ll walk you through the entire renewal process, explain the CDA renewal requirements, and help you feel prepared every step of the way.
If your CDA has already expired, don’t worry. You may still qualify for the Council’s CDA Renewal Amnesty Program, which can help you reinstate your credential without starting over.
The most important thing? Start now. Renewing takes time, but with the right plan, it’s absolutely manageable.
Getting Ready To Renew
Renewing your CDA credential takes some planning, but understanding the timeline and steps will help you feel confident as you move forward. Here are the key things to know as you prepare.
How often do I have to renew my CDA?
Your CDA credential must be renewed every three years.
How do I know when my CDA expires?
Your CDA credential is valid for three years from the date it was awarded. You can find your expiration date printed directly on your credential certificate.
If you can’t locate your certificate or want to confirm your status, you can also log into your account at YourCouncil.org.
What if my CDA already expired?
If your CDA credential has expired, you still have options.
The CDA Renewal Amnesty Program allows eligible candidates to reinstate an expired credential without starting the entire process over. To qualify:
- Your CDA credential expiration date is January 1, 2020 or later.
- Complete all renewal requirements.
- Apply online on or before July 31, 2025 (11:59 PM EST).
To learn more, visit the Council’s Amnesty Program page.
When can I submit my CDA credential renewal application?
You can submit your CDA renewal application up to six months before the expiration date of your current credential. Your application must be submitted by the expiration date. There are no automatic extensions, and if you miss this window, you may need to restart the entire CDA credential process.
CDA Renewal Requirements
A renewal isn’t just paperwork — it’s a way for the Council to confirm that you’ve continued your professional development, stayed current on early childhood education best practices, and maintained your commitment to high-quality care and learning.
Because of this, renewing your CDA credential isn’t as simple as renewing a driver’s license. It takes more than filling out an application and paying a fee. Before you can apply, you’ll need to gather documentation showing that you’ve met all CDA renewal requirements.
Below is a table that gives a basic overview of the requirements. Under the table, we’ll go into each one in more detail.
|
Requirement |
What’s Needed |
|
Continued Professional Education |
4.5 CEUs, or 3 college credits, or 45 clock hours of ECE/Child Development training |
|
Professional Organization Membership |
Proof of current membership in an approved early childhood organization |
|
Continued Work with Children |
At least 80 hours working with young children in your credential setting within the last year |
|
ECE Reviewer Recommendation |
Verified recommendation from an early childhood education professional |
|
First Aid & CPR Certification |
Current First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR certification |
What is the CDA renewal education requirement?
The education requirement can be met by completing one of the following:
- 4.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units),
- Three (3) college credit hours from an accredited college or university, OR
- 45 clock hours of training in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and/or Child Development.
Your training must:
- Be awarded by an organization recognized by the Council.
- Be completed after the issue date of your most recent CDA credential.
- Be relevant to the type of CDA credential you’re renewing (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, or Family Child Care).
- Not be a repeat of training used for your original CDA or previous renewals.
You will also need to provide documentation of the training that will be reviewed and approved by your Verifier (more details on this in the next section).
Need training hours? CCEI’s online CDA renewal program is fully accepted by the Council and designed to fit your schedule. We offer flexible, self-paced learning that’s aligned with CDA requirements and even eligible for college credit
Who can serve as my Verifier?
Your Verifier is the person responsible for reviewing and confirming your training hours and membership documentation. You do not have to submit this documentation directly to the Council; you only need to have it verified.
Your Verifier must:
- Be a staff person within your center or program who has the authority to review training records.
- Not be related to you or work alongside you as a daily co-teacher.
- Can be an education coordinator, center director, or assistant director at your center.
Your Verifier and ECE Reviewer (who reviews your 80-hour work requirement) can be the same person. See more details below about the ECE Reviewer requirement.
What counts as acceptable membership in a professional organization?
Staying connected to the early childhood education community is an important part of professional growth. For your CDA renewal, you’ll need to show that you are an active member of a recognized ECE organization, and there’s some flexibility in how you meet this requirement. Note that your Verifier will need to review and approve your membership (see section above for more details).
Membership must be current at the time you submit your CDA renewal application, and it can be either an individual membership or a center-based membership.
Acceptable forms of documentation include:
- Membership card
- Certificate of membership
- Letter from the membership organization’s official letterhead
- Receipt of payment of membership fees
Your membership documentation must include:
- The membership agency’s name
- The agency’s official seal or logo
- Your name or your center’s name
- The issue date and expiration date (or valid timeframe)
If you use a center membership: The center name must appear on the documentation. Memberships issued in another staff member’s name will not be accepted.
The Council does not accept the following memberships for renewal:
- State registry organization memberships
- Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- Teachers’ unions
- Magazine subscriptions
What are some examples of acceptable professional organizations?
To meet the professional membership requirement, you can belong to national or local organizations such as NAEYC, HighScope, the National Head Start Association (NHSA), the Reggio Emilia Alliance, and Zero to Three. You can also view a longer list of options on the Council’s ECE Organizations page.
How do I meet the work experience requirement?
You must have completed at least 80 hours of work with young children within the past year before submitting your renewal application.
The work must be:
- In the same setting as your credential (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, or Family Child Care).
- Verified by your ECE Reviewer.
Both paid and volunteer work can count toward this requirement.
As part of your renewal, you’ll need a recommendation from an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer — a qualified professional who can confirm that you have recent, firsthand experience working with children and continue to apply your skills in an early learning setting.
Who can be my ECE Reviewer?
The ECE Reviewer is the person who will verify your 80 hours of recent work experience and provide a formal recommendation for your renewal.
Your ECE Reviewer must:
- Be an early childhood education professional.
- Have firsthand knowledge of your work with children within the past year.
- Not be related to you or work alongside you as a daily co-teacher.
Acceptable ECE Reviewer roles include:
- Education coordinator,
- Center director or assistant director,
- Co-worker (outside your classroom),
- Member of a professional early childhood organization.
What kind of First Aid and CPR certification do I need?
You must have two current certifications:
- First Aid certification
- Infant and Child (Pediatric) CPR certification
Both must be issued by a nationally recognized provider (such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association) and include the training agency’s name, official logo, your name, issue and expiration dates, and instructor signature.
Online-only courses and certifications from individual consultants are not accepted. If you take a combined course, make sure it provides separate certificates or cards for First Aid and CPR.
How to Apply for CDA Renewal
Once you’ve gathered all your documentation and confirmed that you meet the renewal requirements, it’s time to submit your application. Most early childhood professionals choose the online renewal process because it’s faster and easier to manage.
How do I renew my CDA online?
To apply online, you’ll use the YourCouncil system.
- Visit yourcouncil.org and log in.
- Once logged in, select CDA Renewal and click “Create New CDA Renewal Application.”
- Follow the prompts to complete your application and submit payment.
What documents do I need for my CDA online renewal?
To complete the online renewal application, you’ll need:
- Your ECE Reviewer’s email address.
- Your Verifier’s email address.
- Scanned copies of your First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR certificates (PDF or JPG format).
How do I pay for my CDA renewal online?
You can pay the renewal processing fee by credit card or voucher number issued by a sponsoring agency (if applicable).
Do I need to mail any documents if I apply online?
No. All required documentation — including First Aid and CPR certification — is uploaded directly to YourCouncil.
Can I still renew my CDA by paper application?
Yes, but the online process is strongly recommended for faster service.
If you choose to apply by paper:
- Complete and sign the CDA Renewal Application included in the Council’s Renewal Procedures Guide.
- Include copies of your First Aid and Infant/Child CPR certification.
- Include the completed Training and Membership Verification (Section E).
- Include the ECE Reviewer recommendation and verification of 80 hours of work experience (Section D).
- Pay the processing fee by check, money order, purchase order, or credit card (details provided on the paper application).
Mail your complete application to:
Council for Professional Recognition
2460 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Ready to Renew? Get Your Training Hours with CCEI
Renewing your CDA credential is a big milestone — and with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to submit your application confidently.
If you still need to complete your professional education hours, CCEI can help. We offer a flexible, fully online CDA Renewal program that meets Council documentation standards and fit into your busy schedule.