Alabama Childcare Licensing
Alabama Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Alabama childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26); CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours.
Licensing Agency
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamAlabama Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27)
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a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment.
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Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26).
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Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds.
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Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27).
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Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26)
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CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours.
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Alabama Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27); a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment. Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26). Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds. |
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| Annual training | Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26); CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours. |
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Alabama Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Alabama require?
Family day care home: prior to initial licensing the applicant/licensee must complete at least twenty-four (24) clock hours of child care and development training, including at least 4 hours in each of six topic areas, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27); a group day care home assistant caregiver must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours within the first 30 days of employment. Day care center: child care workers/teachers must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of training within 30 days after employment (at least 1 hour in each of six areas), and the center director must have at least 20 clock hours in administration/management plus 4 clock hours in quality child care, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26). Child Care Subsidy participants must also complete at least 1 hour of preservice training in each of 11 required health-and-safety topic areas before receiving subsidy funds.
How many annual training hours does Alabama require?
Family day care home: the licensee must obtain at least twenty (20) clock hours of child-care-related training each year, and a group day care home assistant caregiver at least twelve (12) clock hours each year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Family Day Care Homes (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-27). Day care center: directors must obtain at least twenty-four (24) clock hours per year, child care workers/teachers at least twelve (12) clock hours per year, and service staff (cooks, bus drivers, janitors) at least four (4) clock hours per year, per the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26); CPR and First Aid training does not count toward required hours.
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Alabama training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) before relying on it for your annual total.
Alabama childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Alabama administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division (Office of Child Care Licensing) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.