PA · Keystone STARS
Pennsylvania — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
Pennsylvania recognizes CDA on the PA ECE Career Pathway; Pre-K Counts requires bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement (PreK-Grade 4).
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements: Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) child care licensing accepts CDA. CDA recognized at a defined level on the PA ECE Career Pathway.
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus required orientation and ongoing PD.
- Director requirements: Higher Pathway placement + administrative coursework + experience.
- State-funded pre-K (Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Head Start State Supplemental): Bachelor's + state teacher cert with EC endorsement (PreK-Grade 4) required. CDA does not satisfy.
- QRIS: Keystone STARS — Pennsylvania's QRIS administered by OCDEL. Higher star (4) ratings require AA/BA mix.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is administered through Pennsylvania Child Care Association. CDA Voucher program through Pennsylvania Key provides direct CDA assessment-fee scholarships.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- Pennsylvania ECE Career Pathway — Administered by Pennsylvania Key. Recognizes training, CDA, AA, BA, and state teacher cert.
- Pennsylvania School-Age Professional Credential (SAPC) — for OST/school-age educators.
- PA Department of Education — Early Childhood Education (Pre-K-Grade 4) certification for public-school pre-K; BA + state-approved EPP.
Notable state context
Pennsylvania's CDA Voucher program through PA Key is one of the more substantial state-funded CDA support mechanisms in the country (alongside Maryland's CDA Fund and Georgia's DECAL Scholars). Pennsylvania has been investing in apprenticeship pathways through community college partners; Keystone STARS uses the Career Pathway framework as its workforce-tier scoring backbone.