How many hours of work experience are required to apply for the CDA Credential?

You are required to complete 480 hours of professional work experience with young children. Your work experience must be with children of the correct age according to the CDA setting you are applying for. Your experience may be as a paid staff or volunteer. As a reminder, the CDA settings and age ranges are:

PRESCHOOL: A center-based preschool setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least eight children, all of whom are ages 3 through 5 years old.
INFANT-TODDLER: A center-based infant-toddler setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least three children, all of whom are under the age of 3 years old.
FAMILY CHILD CARE: A family child care setting is a family child care home where a Candidate can be observed working with at least two children 5 years old or younger who are not related to the Candidate by blood or marriage. The setting must meet at least the minimum level of applicable state and/or local regulations. Family child care settings are also eligible in localities where there is no regulation of family child care.