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CDA® Exam (Child Development Associate)
The CDA Exam is the computer-based examination that, together with a Verification Visit, forms the Council for Professional Recognition's assessment for awarding the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; since August 1, 2025 candidates take the 65-question exam first at a Pearson VUE test center after receiving a Ready to Schedule notice from the Council, then schedule their Verification Visit.
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Questions65 multiple-choice questions (60 standard questions and 5 scenario questions with a short narrative and photo)
Testing time1 hour 45 minutes (preceded by up to 15 minutes for instructions, the nondisclosure agreement, and practice questions)
ScoringNo published passing score for the exam alone; the credentialing decision is based on a Cumulative Score combining the CDA Exam and the Verification Visit, and a qualifying level of competence on the exam may waive the Verification Visit
Exam feeNo separate examination fee; the CDA Exam is included in the CDA application fee — initial application USD 525 online / USD 600 paper, renewal USD 250 online / USD 300 paper (effective August 1, 2025); the assessment fee is nonrefundable and non-transferable
Prep options
Study resources for CDA Exam
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Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- CDA Council
- Category
- Early Childhood Education
- Current version
- Current specification; no public version label
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English, Spanish
- Testing provider
- Pearson VUE
- Format
- Computer-based, delivered at Pearson VUE test centers (point-and-click interface; no typing or scrolling required)
- Availability
- By appointment at Pearson VUE test centers on a first come, first serve basis; under the exam-first approach effective August 1, 2025, candidates take the CDA Exam before scheduling the Verification Visit, and both must be completed within six months of the Ready to Schedule notice date
- Results
- Exam answers transmitted immediately; scores transmitted to the Council within 24–48 hours; after the exam score is received candidates get a second notification (within about one business day) authorizing the Verification Visit; a complete file may receive a credentialing decision in 1–3 business days
Exam structure
65 multiple-choice items in two formats: 60 standard multiple-choice questions and 5 scenario questions (each with a short narrative and photo); questions are presented one at a time and candidates may move freely between them; content is drawn from the CDA Competency Standards' six Competency Goals and 13 Functional Areas.
Where rules vary
National U.S. early childhood education credential; the exam is delivered at Pearson VUE test centers across the United States (with additional Department of Defense test sites for military candidates) and the credentialing decision is made uniformly by the Council for Professional Recognition
Eligibility
All prerequisites must be completed before applying: high school diploma or GED (or enrollment in a high school career/technical early childhood program), 120 clock hours of professional early childhood education covering 10 hours in each of the eight CDA Subject Areas, 480 hours of experience working with children in the matching age group, and a completed Professional Portfolio and Family Questionnaires; a Ready to Schedule notice from the Council is required before booking the exam
Retake policy
The CDA Exam may be taken only one time during a credentialing process; cancelling a scheduled exam incurs a USD 15 Pearson VUE cancellation fee (not allowed within 24 hours of the appointment), and a missed exam requires Council authorization plus USD 65 to Pearson VUE for a second exam