School of Education

Eligibility Requirements

Are you eligible to apply for the CDA credential?  How do you know? 

If you need additional assistance to determine eligibility, please contact our Rasmussen CDA Coach at rascdainfo@rasmussen.edu

Do you have experience working with infants & toddlers, preschoolers, or family childcare?

• 480 hours of experience- The candidate must have obtained 480 hours of experience with young children in the appropriate setting within the last three years.

  • Eligible settings include licensed childcare/preschool/early childhood education & family childcare programs
  • Settings such as nanny/babysitting, non-licensed preschool or early childhood programs, and PCA are not eligible.

Do you have successfully completed educational hours?

• 120 hours of education in 8 subject areas- any training or education taken by the candidate at any point in their career that falls within the required 8 subject areas. There must be at least 10 hours in each subject area.

  • At Rasmussen, you will complete all 120 hours after successfully completing the EEC1700, EEC1202, and EEC1735 courses- see the tab for CDA Credential and Rasmussen Course Alignment for details.

Purchase Your CDA Competency Handbook

Once you determine eligibility, start by making sure you have the materials you need. 

You will need a NEW CDA Competency Handbook.

1. Determine ONE age group and setting for your CDA Credential

• Infant/Toddler
• Preschool
• Family Child Care

2. Order your CDA Competency Handbook

Go to www.cdacouncil.org to order your own NEW copy of the CDA Competency Handbook for your chosen age group/setting.

Note: As of April 2025, Rasmussen University no longer provides a CDA Competency Handbook for students in the degree programs. 

Creating Your Professional Portfolio

NOTE: Your CDA Professional Portfolio illustrates your unique accomplishments and abilities; therefore, no two portfolios should look alike. You are encouraged to use and add to your portfolio as you grow throughout your career.

The CDA credential process requires all candidates to produce a Professional Portfolio to document evidence of their competence in three (3) areas:

• Resource Collection Items (10 total)
• Professional Philosophy Statement (1 statement)
• Statements of Competence (6 total)

Refer to your CDA Competency Handbook for all details on each of the Professional Portfolio items. 

How do I organize my CDA Professional Portfolio?     

STEP 1: Obtain materials to create your Professional Portfolio

1. Obtain a 2-inch wide, 3-ring binder
2. Obtain a 3-hole punch OR sturdy page protectors to hold documents
3. Obtain page dividers to divide sections

STEP 2: Print CDA Tab Inserts and Divider Inserts or determine another method for clearly labeling sections and portfolio items

STEP 3: Organize your Professional Portfolio using the “Assembling Your Professional Portfolio” document below.  Use the Tab Inserts and Divider Inserts linked above for better organization.

STEP 4: Follow the directions from your CDA Competency Handbook for each portfolio item and statement. Review each for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Print each completed item/statement and place it in your portfolio.

Family Questionnaire

Before you start your application for the CDA, you must request feedback from the families in your program.  This is part of your CDA Professional Portfolio.  Refer to your CDA Competency Handbook for the details. 

Family Questionnaires allow families to share their strengths and areas of professional growth from their point of view.

1. Each family in the group you work with should receive a questionnaire.
2. You can find the reproducible Family Questionnaire in your CDA Handbook. 
3. Get back as many as possible- aim for just over half being returned to you.
4. Once you have received the responses back, be sure to review each response and reflect on the feedback received. Complete the Family Questionnaire Summary sheet provided in your CDA Handbook. 
5. Insert the Family Questionnaire Summary sheet into your CDA Professional Portfolio along with the questionnaires completed by the families.

NOTE: This step must be completed before the Verification Visit.  Your PD Specialist will review the Family Questionnaire Summary sheet and reflect with you during the visit. Your PD Specialist will not review the individual questionnaires themselves, but you must include them in your portfolio.

The Family Questionnaire is provided below:

• Family Questionnaire

Document Your Educational Hours

As part of your Professional Portfolio, you must provide specific documentation of your educational hours toward the CDA Credential.

Follow the directions below for the proper documents for your situation and what your portfolio needs!

CDA Documentation of Formal Education

If you have completed the three courses (EEC1700, EEC1202, and EEC1735) at Rasmussen University, you must include the Documentation of Formal Education form and your college transcript in your CDA Professional Portfolio. This form confirms that the courses you completed meet the subject area requirement.

• The Documentation of Formal Education form provided is located in the Documents and Resources Tab and is updated annually. Print the form and add it to your Professional Portfolio along with your college transcripts.
• This step must be completed before your Verification Visit for PD Specialist review.

Transcripts

You must include a copy of an unofficial or official transcript in your CDA Professional Portfolio. 

• If you completed all the educational hours with Rasmussen University, you would need to only include your Rasmussen University transcript and the Documentation of Formal Education.
  • To obtain a copy of your unofficial or official transcript, go to https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/alumni/request-transcript/.  Follow the directions to order your transcript. If you are a current student, you can also provide a Progress Report.  You can locate the Progress Report by going to the Student Account Center in the Student Portal.
• If you completed any of your educational hours at another college or university, you would also need to include an unofficial or official copy of your transcript from that college or university. Including course descriptions and any other information confirming the courses taken to meet the subject area requirements is also recommended.
• This step must be completed before your Verification Visit for PD Specialist review.​

Steps to Apply for the CDA Credential

1. Start online application at the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org.

2. Secure Professional Development (PD) Specialist as directed in the application

3. Obtain signed permission from the program director for a Verification Visit as directed in the application

4. Complete the application and pay the initial application fee

5. Receive Ready to Schedule notice

6. Schedule a Verification Visit with your PD Specialist

7. Schedule CDA Exam

If you have questions about the CDA Credential application process, you may contact the Rasmussen University CDA Coach – rascdainfo@rasmussen.edu for individual support and guidance.

CDA Application "How To" Videos

The CDA Council has provided short and informative "How To?" videos for the online application process.  You can fin them here:  https://www.cdacouncil.org/resources/webinars-and-tutorials

We recommend the following videos to get you started:

• • Creating an Account for First Time CDA Candidates
  • Initial Application Process: Pre-Application
  • Initial Application Process: Application
  • Initial Application Process: Pre-Submittal Review
  • Initial Application Process: How to Checkout 

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to receive my Ready to Schedule notice? Once the CDA Council receives your application and then records your payment, it may take several weeks to process your application and send you the Ready to Schedule notice.  You can also check your YourCouncil account for an update on your status and notice.

Q: What is a Documentation of Formal Education Form? This document indicates your completion of the 120 hours of education from Rasmussen University required to apply for your CDA Credential. You can find this form in the Documents and Resources Tab. Complete this form and place it in your CDA Portfolio. See the Document Education tab above for additional information.

Q: The Documentation of Formal Education form is asking for my application number? Your application number will be the last four digits of your social security number.  

Q: My PD Specialist is asking for an official transcript. An unofficial transcript will suffice, as long as you also include your Documentation of Formal Education form.

Q: I’m missing assignments/resource file items in my Professional Portfolio. Review your CDA Competency Handbook to identify which parts you are missing. 

Important Contact Information

• CDA Council of Professional Recognition – 1-800-424-4310 or www.cdacouncil.org
• Rasmussen University CDA Coach – rascdainfo@rasmussen.edu

PD Specialists

What is a Professional Development (PD) Specialist?

The CDA PD Specialist is responsible for completing the CDA Verification Visit with the you. The PD Specialist reviews your documentation, observes you while working with children, and conducts a reflective dialogue during the visit. At the end of the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist electronically submits your scores to the Council. 

To complete the online CDA Credential application, applicants must locate a PD Specialist. This can be done by using the special search tool on the CDA Council website. 

Things to remember:

1. You are just locating a PD Specialist willing to come to your location in the future for the Verification Visit.  You are not scheduling your Verification Visit now.
2. You cannot schedule a Verification Visit until you have submitted your application and sent your Customer ID number to the CDA Liaison email address at rascdainfo@rasmussen.edu for payment approval, thus receiving the “Ready to Schedule” notice from the CDA Council.
3.  Be generous with the date you are indicating for a visit.  Your PD Specialist may already be busy so give them a wide window of time.
4.  If you do not have a PD Specialist reply to you within 48 hours, conduct another search and ask more specialists. PD Specialists must contact you within 48 hours of receiving the invite. 

The Find a PD Specialist Directory is a database for you to use to locate a CDA PD Specialist in your area to conduct the CDA Verification Visit.

• Locating a PD Specialist

To use the Find-A-PD Specialist Online Directory, enter your work zip code, your setting and the language in which they teach into the database. The database will generate the names and descriptions of PD Specialists nearest to you. Then select the nearest PD Specialist and send a request to the PD Specialist to conduct their CDA Verification Visit. If the PD Specialist can complete the verification visit, they will respond to you with their PD Specialist ID number. The PD Specialist ID number is required to complete and submit the CDA application.

CDA Application Fee

Those interested in applying for the CDA Credential will be responsible for the initial application fee and renewal fees as part of their application or renewal process. Often, applicants can seek reimbursement from employers through tuition reimbursement or via state-sponsored scholarships. 

For more information about the CDA Credential application and renewal fees, please visit the CDA Council website at www.cdacouncil.org. 

Verification Visit and CDA Exam

Once you have received the Ready to Schedule Notice informing you that you can proceed to schedule your Verification Visit and your CDA Exam, you can then schedule your Verification Visit with your PD Specialist.

Understanding the Ready to Schedule Notice in the Online Application.

Note: You may not schedule or hold the Verification Visit or Exam prior to receiving that Ready to Schedule notice.

Verification Visit

Your Verification Visit is a chance to demonstrate your competence and expertise with the CDA competencies. This may sound scary, but it really is a chance to demonstrate what you already do every day!  Here is a video provided by the Council for Professional Recognition on how to prepare and participate in the Verification Visit.

Completing the Verification Visit and CDA Exam

No Surprises! Review your CDA Handbook and the Comprehensive Scoring Instrument located at the end of the CDA Handbook. This Comprehensive Scoring Instrument is a play by play for what the PD Specialist will be looking for while observing you and reviewing your Professional Portfolio.

Suggestion: Read through the Comprehensive Scoring Instrument prior to your Visit.  What would you indicate for yourself? Use this as a time to start thinking about your strengths, areas of growth and professional development goals.

The PD Specialist will do the following during your Visit:

• R- Review your Professional Portfolio and all documentation
• O- Observe you in action with children
• R-Reflect with you your strengths and areas of growth and help you set professional development goals.

This process will take several hours and requires a time period at the end where you meet one-on-one with the PD Specialist.  Be sure to arrange this with your Director before the visit as most likely you will need to have another teacher step in for you for about 1 hour.​

CDA Exam

The CDA Exam is taken online at a Pearson Vue Testing site.  You will receive all the details for how to schedule your exam when you receive your Read to Schedule Notice. You cannot schedule it prior to receiving that notice.

Format: The CDA Exam consists of 65 questions, multiple choice and scenario based. You can find sample exam questions in your CDA Handbook! 

Suggestion:  Read through the sample questions in the CDA Handbook.  How did you do? If you are still shaky, read through the Competency Standards and Functional Areas in your CDA Handbook.  This will give you an overview of what a CDA demonstrates. 

This video will provide you with information for what the CDA Exam will look like, how it will be provided and what to expect. 

Registering for the Initial CDA Exam using PearsonVue's Website

A tutorial on how to take the CDA Exam is provided on the Council website. It does provide helpful information on how to complete the exam but does not provide practice questions.  Sample exam questions are located in your CDA Handbook.​

Renewal

Renewing your CDA Credential is important to keep current with research, quality and best practices for working with the care and development of young children. CDA Credentials will expire 3 years from the date issued.  Refer to your CDA Credential Certificate for the exact date.

• You must submit your renewal application on or before your expiration date.
• You can submit your renewal application up to six months prior to the expiration date.
• The renewal process is entirely online to help expedite the process.

Steps to Renewing your CDA Credential:

1. Go to the Council for Professional Recognition website at www.cdacouncil.org
2. Locate the CDA Credential link and click
3. Choose Renew CDA from drop down menu.
4. Download the FREE online CDA Renewal Procedures Guide for the steps to renewing your CDA Credential
5. Download the online Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer Guide to help your ECE Reviewer correctly fill out required information for your renewal application.
6. Gather the required documentation. Detailed instructions and forms are provided in the CDA Renewal Procedures Guide. The guide also includes the training verification form that needs to be completed by the center/ program director.
7. Apply for the CDA Renewal. Once you meet all requirements, you are ready to fill out and submit your CDA Renewal Application. To apply for CDA renewal online, the fee is $125 and to apply for CDA renewal by mail the fee is $150. Remember: You may submit your CDA Renewal Application as early as six months before the expiration date of your CDA Credential.
   1. NOTE:  Rasmussen University does not pay for or reimburse fees for CDA Credential Renewal.
   2. If you are applying for Preschool, Infant/Toddler or Family Child Care, we recommend applying for CDA renewal online. You can upload your documents directly into your online application, submit payment electronically, track your progress and contact the Council through the Messages feature.

Watch this video to help explain the steps to renewing your CDA Credential.

Documents & Resources

These documents and tools will help you navigate the CDA Application process:

Council for Professional Recognition CDA Videos and Webinars

YourCouncil Tutorials 

View this series of 6 videos providing step-by-step instructions through the CDA application process.

(Note:  You will need to complete a registration page to view these GoToWebinar videos.)

• Creating an Account for First-Time CDA Candidates
• Initial Application Process: Pre-Application
• Initial Application Process: Application
• Initial Application Process: Presubmittal Review
• Initial Application Process: Checkout
• Initial Application Process: Ready to Schedule

CDA Initial Tutorials

• Preparing for the CDA Assessment
• Completing the Verification Visit and CDA Exam
• Understanding the Ready to Schedule Notice in the Online Application.
• Registering for the Initial CDA Exam using Pearson Vue's Website

CDA Renewal Tutorials

• Renewal Requirements: First Aid and CPR

CDA Competencies and Subject Area Alignment

Throughout the following courses, you will be learning more about the CDA Credential and completing the educational hours required for the application.

Rasmussen University has aligned the competency standards and functional areas into three of the core early childhood education courses within the Certificate/Diploma and Associate degree programs. While you complete these courses, you are not only earning college credit, but you are also completing the educational hours required for your CDA Credential application. 

CDA Competencies and Subject Area Alignment

Foundations of Child Development (EEC1700) CDA Competencies

• To advance physical and intellectual competence
• To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
• To establish positive and productive relationships with families
• To maintain a commitment to professionalism

ECE Curriculum & Instruction (EEC1202) CDA Competencies

• To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
• To advance physical and intellectual competence
• To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance

Health, Safety, and Nutrition (EEC1735) CDA Competencies

• To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
• To advance physical and intellectual competence
• To establish positive and productive relationships with families
• To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs
• To maintain a commitment to professionalism