This document describes, in question and answer format, the Credential Award System through which the Child Development Associate (CDA) Consortium regulates assessment of child care personnel who apply for the CDA credential. A private, non-profit organization of national professional associations, the CDA Consortium was founded in 1972 with the aim of developing a system for (1) assessing the competence of individuals working with 3- to 5-year olds in early childhood centers and (2) awarding the CDA credential to persons assessed as competent. This system covers personnel in nursery schools, parent-child cooperatives, day care centers, Head Start programs and other center-based programs. After minimal eligibility requirements have been satisfied, a candidate is evaluated in six areas of competence in working with children: (1) establishment and maintenance of a safe and healthy learning environment, (2) advancement of physical and intellectual competence, (3) support of a positive self-image and individual strength, (4) promotion of harmonious interrelation between children and adults in a group environment, (5) development of good coordination between home and center with regard to child-rearing practices and expectations, and (6) ability to carry out supplementary responsibilities related to children's programs. Members of a Local Assessment Team -- consisting of the candidate, a trainer, a parent-community representative and a Consortium representative -- collect information on the candidate's performance, coordinate their judgments according to the Consortium's competence standards list, and determine whether the candidate should be awarded a credential. (BF)