Focusing on Child Development Associates (CDAs), this third national CDA report examines whether CDAs have benefited from the increased activity at the federal, state, and local levels to enhance the status of child care providers. The following questions were asked: (1) What changes or consistencies are there among CDAs?; (2) What has been the impact of certification on the careers of those who become credentialed?; (3) What impact has the professional development movement had on CDAs?; and (4) Do CDAs leave the child care field after obtaining their credential? The survey group studied was composed of 10 percent of the 25,000 CDAs credentialed from September 1989 to September 1993. Questionnaires were mailed requesting demographic, career status, and educational information. The 1994 instrument added four categories of information: salary at time CDA was obtained; current salary; college credits awarded for the CDA; and type of CDA training received. Based on the results, CDAs were profiled primarily as white, older than 30, fairly well-educated females who work with preschool age children as classroom teachers, who demonstrate a pattern of retention and commitment to child care careers. Over 95 percent remain in the field after receiving credentials, despite poor benefits, low salaries, and staff burnout. CDA-credentialed child care workers add skill and stability to the early childhood workforce. Based on the survey, the report recommends that credentialing be encouraged through program and policy supports. Support efforts should include: (1) making wages and benefits commensurate with credentials; (2) funding training supports for those seeking necessary degrees and credentials; and (3) supporting state mandates for trained staff and licensed child care, including increasing requirements for staff qualification by requiring the CDA or its equivalent. Appendices include the 1994 survey questionnaire, the 1988 and 1983 National CDA survey and results, along with a list of institutions which currently offer CDA credential training. Contains 18 references. (BGC)