Your CDA. Your Michigan Classroom. Your Career.
The Child Development Associate® credential is the fastest, most affordable way to open real doors in Michigan early childhood education — and recent state rule changes just made it more powerful than ever.
If you love working with young children but a four-year degree feels out of reach right now, the CDA is built for you. It’s nationally recognized, respected by Michigan licensing, and it qualifies you for roles that come with more responsibility, more pay, and a clear path forward.
Here’s exactly what your CDA can do for you in Michigan.
Become a Lead Teacher
With your CDA plus a set of focused MiRegistry training hours, you can qualify as a Lead Teacher in a licensed Michigan child care center — the educator who runs the classroom, shapes the day, and guides the children’s learning.
You don’t need a degree. You don’t need your center to participate in Great Start to Quality. Your CDA, paired with 15 MiRegistry training hours in core teaching topics, puts you in charge of your own room. (R 400.8210)
Working with infants and toddlers? You’ll simply add a short infant/toddler development course within six months — a small step toward a big role.
Move Up to Program Administrator — Without a Degree
This is where the news gets exciting. Michigan’s updated 2025 licensing rules dramatically lowered the bar to lead a center.
Under the old rules, becoming a center director with a CDA also meant earning 18 college semester hours and logging nearly 1,000 hours of experience. Not anymore.
Today, your CDA plus just three months of experience, MiRegistry training, and your center’s Great Start to Quality participation can qualify you as a Program Administrator of an early childhood center. (R 400.8204)
Running a smaller, small-capacity center? Your CDA alone can qualify you — no Great Start to Quality participation required.
The CDA also opens the door to:
- Site Administrator — CDA + 3 months of experience
- School-Age Program Administrator — CDA + 6 months of experience
For thousands of Michigan educators, the CDA is now the single most realistic on-ramp credential to leadership.
Step Into Michigan’s State-Funded Preschool (GSRP)
The Great Start Readiness Program is Michigan’s free, state-funded preschool — and your Center-Based Preschool CDA qualifies you directly as a GSRP Associate Teacher. It’s also the minimum credential to work as a GSRP Substitute Teacher.
Even better: you don’t have to wait until you’re finished. If you’re enrolled in your CDA and have six months of verified experience, you can already start working as an associate teacher while you complete it.
Good to know: The GSRP Lead Teacher role requires a teaching certificate or an ECE bachelor’s degree — so think of your CDA as the perfect first step into GSRP, with a clear path to grow from there.
Launch a Career Ladder — Plus Scholarships
Your CDA places you at Career Pathway Level P1 in Michigan’s MiRegistry system. That’s not just a label — it’s your entry point to:
- T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to help fund your continued education
- Recognized professional standing that follows you from job to job
- A documented path toward higher roles and higher pay
And if family child care is your goal, MiRegistry recognizes CDA holders at the P1 level for Family/Group Child Care Home Owner or Assistant opportunities — valuable credibility as you build your own program.
Why Educators Choose the CDA
- ✔ Nationally recognized and respected by Michigan licensing
- ✔ No college degree required to qualify for lead teacher and administrator roles
- ✔ Faster and more affordable than a two- or four-year degree
- ✔ Aligned with Michigan’s 2025 rules — your credential matters more now than it did before
- ✔ Scholarship-eligible through T.E.A.C.H. and MiRegistry’s career pathway
What Is the CDA, and Why Is It a Great Choice?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is for individuals who have met the competency standards. Educators meet the specific needs of children and demonstrate their ability to nurture young children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth and development. Early childhood education professionals can qualify for the credential after completing the CDA Assessment Process defined by the Council for Professional Recognition.
Earning the CDA credential can benefit your career in several different ways. As a credentialed professional, more opportunities become available when it comes to moving your career forward. If you think it’s about time for career advancement, getting a CDA credential should be your next move.
What Are the Benefits of a CDA Credential?
Getting a CDA credential in Michigan can help you in more ways than one. Whether you have just started your career in early childhood education or are a veteran, learning about children doesn’t stop. As a CDA-credentialed professional, you will be given plenty of opportunities to step up in your career. Your knowledge and dedication will show, and you will become a trusted professional in your field — with a real sense of accomplishment and even more confidence in what you do.
Becoming a Child Development Associate
One of the most important things that will allow you to qualify for a CDA credential is passing the CDA exam — and that is exactly what we’re here for!
Here at National CDA Training, you will experience training like no other! Our training is not only educational, it’s also fun and one of a kind. Through our scenario-based training, you won’t just learn by theory — you’ll learn by doing. Our innovative classes train you by giving you mental practice, so you’ll know how to respond when situations arise in a classroom. Our courses are everything you need to help you advance your career and love what you do even more.
Once you have completed our training, you will be ready to apply for your CDA credential in Michigan. Your experience with children is already valuable. The CDA is what turns that experience into a credential the state recognizes — and a career you can build on.
Ready to Open These Doors?
It’s about time to get the journey started and move your career forward. Start your CDA today with National CDA Training!
Roles and requirements reflect Michigan’s 2025 Child Care Center Licensing Rules and GSRP staffing requirements. A CDA must remain valid (non-expired) to qualify for any role. Always confirm current requirements with your program and the Michigan licensing agency (MiLEAP), as regulations can change.