If you're an educator or aspiring child care center director, choosing the right credential can feel overwhelming. Do you need a CDA? Should you pursue the NAC? What is a Director Credential, and how does it differ across states?
This childcare credentialing guide is your complete roadmap. It breaks down the three most relevant pathways—CDA, NAC, and state-specific Director Credentials Certification—clarifying what each one is, who it’s for, how long it takes, and how to choose the one that best fits your goals.
Understanding the CDA: A Foundation for Classroom Educators
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a nationally recognized credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It's widely considered the foundational credential for early childhood educators working directly with young children.
Educators often begin with the CDA when starting their careers in roles such as preschool teacher, teaching assistant, or daycare staff. The credential requires candidates to complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training—training that can be completed through NICCM’s CDA Fast Track Program, designed for busy, working professionals. After In addition to completing training hours, candidates must also complete 480 hours of work experience in their chosen age group and submit Complete a professional portfolio before sitting for the CDA exam.
The CDA is not designed for administrative or leadership roles but is often required for classroom positions in licensed facilities. For example, a preschool assistant in rural Kansas may complete her CDA Fast Track training in just a few weekends and gain the skills needed to move into a full-time classroom teaching role.
The NAC: Your Path to Child Care Leadership
As educators grow into leadership roles, the National Administrator Credential (NAC) becomes a logical next step. Created and issued by NICCM, the NAC prepares child care professionals for director-level responsibilities such as budgeting, staffing, licensing compliance, and program management.
While the CDA focuses on teaching and child development, the NAC is designed for those who want to manage or direct a child care center. Participants receive 45 hours of specialized training either through multi-day retreats or flexible online modules. Many professionals complete the program in just a few weeks.
One of the major advantages of the NAC is its wide recognition. For instance, in Texas, the NAC is accepted as the official Director Credential. In Florida, the NAC is approved by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as the Overview of Child Care Management Course, a required component of the Florida Director Credential. Several other states, including Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arizona, Alaska, and New Mexico, recognize the NAC as part of their child care director qualification standards.
Whether completed online or in-person, the NAC provides future directors with real-world administrative training skills that help build confident, capable leaders. Many educators choose to pursue the NAC after completing their CDA as a natural progression in their career.
State-Issued Director Credentials: What You Need to Know
Unlike the CDA or NAC, which are standardized across the country, Director Credentials or state certification are issued at the state level, meaning the requirements and even the name can vary significantly.
In some states, like Texas, the NAC itself is the Director Credential. In others, like Florida, the NAC fulfills only part of the requirements. Florida, for example, requires candidates to complete the Overview of Child Care Management Course (fulfilled by the NAC) along with other components before issuing the Florida Director Credential.
In states such as Arizona, Alaska, and Oklahoma, the NAC is recognized as one option of a several options in a broader qualification process. This patchwork approach means it’s crucial to check with your state’s licensing agency before assuming a single credential is enough.
That said, NICCM’s programs are intentionally designed to meet multiple state requirements. Our team can also help guide you through your state’s process, ensuring you choose the right program based on where you live or plan to work.
Comparing the CDA, NAC, and Director Credential
To simplify the decision-making process, it’s helpful to look at how each credential compares across a few key dimensions.
The CDA is all about classroom readiness—helping educators understand developmental stages, behavior management, and curriculum basics. It’s perfect for entry-level teachers and support staff. The NAC, by contrast, focuses on administrative expertise: managing a team, creating a budget, and maintaining compliance with state regulations. It’s intended for directors, assistant directors, or those on that path.
State-issued Director Credentials represent the final authorization for someone to legally operate or manage a licensed child care center in that specific state. However, the requirements vary widely. In some states, such as Texas, NICCM’s NAC satisfies this requirement entirely. In others, like Florida, the NAC fulfills one portion—specifically the DCF-approved Overview of Child Care Management Course—alongside additional steps such as background checks or coursework. The NICCM NAC represents a quality program that will help ALL director’s be more efficient and successful even if it was not required by their state certification.
How Long Does Each Credential Take?
One of the most common questions professionals ask is: How long will it take?
The CDA Fast Track Program offered by NICCM can be completed in as little as 1–2 weeks depending on your schedule. NICCM’s model is designed to work around busy lifestyles, including online and weekend options.
The NAC typically requires 45 clock hours, which many participants complete in 3–6 weeks or less, either through online self-paced learning or during an intensive in-person event. Over a live training event participants often complete in one week-end. Distance participants can frequently complete in a week if they work on the course 45 hours or more in that week.
The Director Credential, where required, may take additional time depending on state policies. In Texas, completion of the NAC may be all that’s needed. In Florida, it might include fingerprinting, additional coursework, and a formal application.
A Real-World Path: From CDA to Director
Consider Jasmine, an assistant director at a center in Arizona. She began her career with a CDA, allowing her to teach toddlers and gain hands-on experience. After two years, she felt ready for more responsibility. She enrolled in NICCM’s online NAC program, which fit her schedule and helped her understand how to lead staff, manage a budget, and maintain licensing standards. With the NAC in hand and her prior experience, she qualified to become the center’s director, all within six months.
Her story reflects the journey many educators take, moving from the classroom to administration in a manageable, affordable, and well-supported way.
External Resources for Further Reading
To ensure you’re working with accurate, updated information, it’s a good idea to explore these official resources:
- Council for Professional Recognition– CDA Credential Overview
- Pearson VUE– CDA Exam Scheduling
- gov – Find Your State’s Licensing Requirements
These sources offer in-depth, state-by-state information and official updates on application procedures.
Choosing the Right Credential for You
If you’re working directly with children or starting in the field, the CDA is might be your best first step. It helps you build foundational skills and meets the licensing expectations for many entry-level roles.
If you're already working in early childhood education and want to move into a leadership role, the NAC gives you the knowledge and recognition needed to manage a center successfully.
If your goal is to run a licensed center, or you're already in a leadership role, understanding your state’s Director Credential requirements is essential. NICCM’s NAC program fulfills this requirement in Texas and plays a key role in states like Florida and beyond.
No matter your goal, NICCM offers a flexible path forward. Our CDA Fast Track and NAC programs are designed to work with your schedule, offering expert instruction and real-world application.
If you are wanting to open your own program or become a center director and you have no education or experience in the industry NICCM recommends that you do the NAC first and then let them help you also earn your CDA.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you're beginning your journey in early childhood education or preparing to lead a child care center in Texas, Florida, or beyond, NICCM has the tools to help you move forward. The CDA Fast Track program builds foundational skills for working directly with children, while the National Administrator Credential (NAC) supports your transition into administrative and director roles. With flexible training formats and guidance tailored to your state's requirements, NICCM makes it easier than ever to reach your professional goals.
Enroll today to start building your career in child care with confidence, clarity, and support every step of the way.