Skip to main content

Important Notice about University of Nevada Campus Extension Courses

Beginning July 1, 2025, The University of Nevada, Reno Extension office has implemented modest fees for select initial training courses previously available at no charge. Please email Cathy Pesklakai at UNR Extension (cpeshlakai@unr.edu) with any questions about this change and/or to learn more about their courses.

More Information
Print this page

Child Development Associate® (CDA)

A Child Development Associate® (CDA) is an individual who has successfully completed the CDA assessment process and has been awarded the CDA® Credential by the Council for Professional Recognition.

CDAs® can be obtained in three settings:  center-based, family childcare, and home visitor.  Using the Direct Assessment method, a choice of four specializations can be earned (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care and Home Visiting).  To earn a CDA®, 120 hours of child care training is required in eight content areas (a minimum of 10 hours needs to be completed in each content area).

For more information on CDA® requirements, how to obtain a CDA® and the benefits of having a CDA®, please visit the Council for Professional Recognition.

Note: The Nevada Registry only recognizes a CDA® issued by Council for Professional Recognition for the purposes of Career Ladder placement. Other types of Child Development Associate certificates issued by agencies or institutions other than the Council (i.e., Mohave Community College, Penn Foster, etc.) are not the same as a CDA® issued by the Council and are not recognized as such for the purposes of Career Ladder placement.