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CPR

Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition is a US-based nonprofit organization that sets standards and provides competency-based credentials for early childhood educators worldwide. It is best known for administering the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, one of the most widely recognized qualifications for early childhood education practitioners. 

Key facts

  • Type: Nonprofit organization
  • Sector: Early childhood education and credentialing
  • Founded: 1985
  • Headquarters: Washington, DC, United States
  • Flagship program: Child Development Associate® (CDA) National Credentialing Program

Mission and role

The Council’s mission is to advance career pathways for early childhood educators through high-quality, competency-based credentialing. It promotes a vision in which all young children learn and thrive in environments led by skilled and valued educators. 

To pursue this mission, the organization:

  • Sets policies and procedures for assessment
  • Administers the CDA® National Credentialing Program
  • Provides renewal processes for CDA and related credentials such as the Military School-Age (MSA) credential

Programs and impact

The Council has issued more than one million CDA credentials globally, making it a major player in professionalizing the early childhood workforce. 

Its core offerings include: 

  • CDA® credentialing: Assessment and certification for educators working with children from birth to age 5 in multiple settings (center-based, family child care, home visitor, etc.).
  • MSA credential: A credential for professionals serving school-age children, including those in military-affiliated programs.
  • Professional resources: Competency Standards books, textbooks such as Essentials for Working with Young Children, and various training and professional development materials used by colleges, training organizations, and programs.

Organizational focus and recognition

The Council emphasizes justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in its work with educators and staff. It has been recognized with distinctions such as Great Place to Work certification and DecisionWise Employee Engagement Top Performer, reflecting focus on internal culture as well as external impact.