Earn your CDA
Earn your CDA in Indiana, often at no cost
If you work 20 or more hours a week in an Indiana licensed center or home, registered ministry, or CCDF-certified license-exempt program, Indiana AEYC can cover the full cost of earning your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential — and you'll get a $200 bonus when you earn it.
What the CDA is, and why it matters
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.
Where it counts
- In a licensed family child care homeA CDA meets the lead caregiver's education standard at every Paths to QUALITY level, and a CDA or a degree is required for Level 4.
- In a licensed centerA lead caregiver currently needs a CDA or a qualifying college degree. Proposed state rules would lower that minimum to a high school diploma; they are not final yet (see rule changes).
What it takes
- A high school diploma or GED
- 120 clock hours of trainingWith at least 10 hours in each of 8 subject areas.
- 480 hours of experienceWith children in your age group in the past 3 years (paid or volunteer).
- A professional portfolioIncluding Family Questionnaires. You'll also need the CDA Competency Standards book for your setting.
- An online applicationThen an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
How to get it paid for
Through Indiana AEYC's Non-Formal CDA Project, if you qualify:
Your cost
$0
Your instruction, textbooks, adult-education support, advisor and final assessment are covered.
Bonus
$200
When you earn your CDA.
To qualify, you'll need to
- Work 20 or more hours a week in an Indiana licensed center or home, registered ministry, or CCDF-certified license-exempt program.
- Be 18 or older and an Indiana resident, with a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Have a background check on file with the state.
- Verify your income, and have your employer sign an agreement.
- Stay in early childhood work for 6 months after earning your CDA.
Another way to pay
- T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood IndianaCan also cover the $525 CDA assessment fee for eligible educators working 20 or more hours a week (T.E.A.C.H.(opens in new tab)).
Questions? Indiana AEYC
Where the classes are
Non-Formal classes | Self-paced online | Ivy Tech |
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Non-Formal classes
- Owen County is in Indiana AEYC's Region 8, served by MCCSC Adult Education in Bloomington
- Two evenings in person and one evening online each week, for 14 to 16 weeks
- An all-virtual option may be available
Self-paced online
- A CDA you complete online on your own schedule (CDA Navigator(opens in new tab))
- In English or Spanish
- A good fit for family child care owners
Ivy Tech
- A CDA Process Certificate
- T.E.A.C.H. covers 90% of tuition and books, plus the assessment fee
No 2026–27 class dates posted yet
Indiana AEYC hadn't posted class dates as of October 2026. We'll tell you when a class near Owen County opens.
- In SpanishThe CDA Council's website is available in Spanish(opens in new tab). Indiana AEYC has a bilingual CDA overview flyer(opens in new tab) (PDF, 188 KB) and a Spanish application for the self-paced CDA and T.E.A.C.H.(opens in new tab) (PDF, 3.5 MB).
How the process works (since February 2026)
Complete your training and experience
Finish the 120 training hours and 480 hours of experience, and put together your portfolio, including Family Questionnaires from families you serve.
Apply online
Upload your portfolio with the CDA Council's online application (CDA Council(opens in new tab)).
- 6 months from paying the fee to finish
Take the exam first
Since February 2, 2026, you take the CDA exam before any visit.
- Retakes: $125 each (up to two)
Get your decision
With a qualifying exam score — plus every other requirement — the CDA Council can award your credential without a verification visit. Otherwise, a specialist visits before the decision.
CDA settings
- Infant-Toddler
- Preschool
- Birth to FiveCenter-based; available since August 1, 2025.
- Family Child Care
- Home VisitorKeeps the older process.
If you pay yourself
Online application
$525
Since August 1, 2025.
Plus
- Competency Standards book for your setting
- Cost of your training
Renewing your CDA
Renewal
$250
A CDA is good for 3 years.
Lapsed CDA? Amnesty
$250
Through April 26, 2027, for credentials that expired on or after January 1, 2016.
CPR and first aid
- The CDA Council stopped requiring it for renewalOn August 1, 2025.
- Indiana still requires itPediatric CPR and first aid training within 90 days of starting work in child care.
Get on our CDA class list
We'll let you know when a CDA class near Owen County opens, and we can pass your information to the class organizer or another partner who can help you get started.
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