What do I have to do to be eligible for a CDA Credential?

The eligibility requirements to apply for a CDA Credential are as follows:

• You must have a high school diploma or be a high school junior or senior in an early education/child development Career and Technical Program
• Any time before you apply: Complete 120 clock hours of professional education covering the eight CDA Subject Areas
• Within 3 years before you apply: Obtain 480 hours of experience working with young children
• Within 6 months before you apply: Prepare a CDA Professional Portfolio according to the requirements outlined in the CDA Competency Standards book