Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential
The Child Development Associate® (CDA) is a nationally recognized credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. Earning your CDA can help you grow as an early educator and qualify for Step 6 on the Minnesota Career Lattice.
Need to contact the Council?
cdacouncil.org/contact-us
800-424-4310
Achieve and the CDA Credential
Achieve does not issue CDA credentials or provide guidance for completing the credential. That’s the role of the Council for Professional Recognition. We are here to help by verifying your CDA, updating your Career Lattice step (CLS), and supporting you during Develop’s Individual membership process.
Verifying Your CDA in Develop
To have your CDA recognized on your Develop Individual Profile and Learning Record:
- Apply for or Renew your Develop Individual Membership
- Email a copy of your official CDA Award certificate (from the Council) to:
- support@mncpd.org
- Allow up to 30 business days for Achieve to enter and verify your CDA and update your Career lattice Step.
CDA and Partner Supports
The Minnesota CDA (MNCDA) Program
The MNCDA helps early educators earn the CDA at no cost with flexible online training and personalized support.
What You’ll Get:
- Eight instructor-led online modules (via Eager-to-Learn)
- Take only the modules you need
- Free CDA materials (books, flashcards)
- One-on-one support from a CDA Consultant
- Grants available to fully cover your CDA application fee
Get started by contacting MNCDA@childcareawaremn.org
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Professional Development Advisors
Child Care Aware of Minnesota has Professional Development Advisors ready to help you:
- Plan your CDA training
- Apply for funding
- Find approved CDA training options in Develop
Get started by contacting CDA@childcareawaremn.org or 888-291-9811.
Funding and Reimbursement
Child Care Aware also offers CDA Funding and Reimbursement options including:
- CDA Application Fee Scholarship
- CDA Application & Training Reimbursement
- CDA Professional Development Specialist Stipend
Questions? Contact CDA@childcareawaremn.org
CDA Credential Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I completed CDA training—why isn’t it in my Develop record?
Only Training offered through Develop’s Search for Training Calendar is verified and displays on your Develop Learning Record.
Can I upload my own certificates to get credit on my Develop Learning Record?
No. Training must be verified by a Develop Approved Training Provider to appear on your Develop Learning Record.
I earned a CDA, but my CLS didn’t go up.
Renew your Develop Individual Membership and email a copy of your CDA Award to support@mncpd.org.
I sent my CDA certificate with my application, but I’m still not a step 6.
Check your certificate expiration date. Career Lattice Step 6 is only available to people who provide us with a valid unexpired CDA certificate.
My CLS went down and my CDA is expired. How do I renew my CDA?
Visit the Council for Professional Recognition to learn how to keep your CDA active.
Why didn’t you verify my CDA training certificates?
For training completed on or after May 1, 2023, the only way to have hours added and verified in Develop in the Training section is to complete events from Develop’s Search for Training Calendar. Every training event listed in Develop is approved and can be verified on a Learning Record electronically by the training provider.
I completed CDA Training that was listed in Develop, why is it not showing up on my profile?
Training providers generally electronically enter attendance within 3 days of completion. Contact your Training Provider directly for attendance support.
How do I find Develop-Approved CDA Training opportunities in Develop?
Use Develop’s Search for Training Calendar and search by CDA Area in the Training Options section to find training that meets your needs.
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