Maine Childcare Licensing

Maine Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)

Maine childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Family child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B). Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2). Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).

Licensing Agency

Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Maine Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics

Family child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b)

10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b

all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A).

10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A

Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation').

10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'

Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.

10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b

Family child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B).

10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B

Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2).

10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2

Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).

10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children

Maine Training Hour Requirements at a Glance

Pre-service trainingFamily child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b); all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A). Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'). Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.
Annual trainingFamily child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B). Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2). Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).

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Maine Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

How many pre-service training hours does Maine require?

Family child care: either the provider or at least one staff member must hold current Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification and must have completed at least 6 hours of pre-licensing training in healthy/safe environments, child development and related topics (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §7.A.4.b); all staff must receive orientation training within the first 90 days of service, with fire/disaster/emergency procedures completed within the first week (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.A). Child Care Facilities must provide pre-service orientation to all new staff and volunteers prior to or during the first week of service (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §14.1, 'Pre-service orientation'). Training is registered through Maine's Professional Development Network.

How many annual training hours does Maine require?

Family child care providers and staff: 12 hours of ongoing training required annually (10-148 CMR Ch. 33 §8.B). Small Child Care Facilities (3-12 children): 12 hours of ongoing training per year for all childcare staff (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §26.2). Larger Child Care Centers: staff scheduled to work 20 hours/week or less need 18 hours of training per year and staff scheduled to work more than 20 hours/week need 30 hours per year (10-148 CMR Ch. 32 §27, 'Ongoing training,' applied to facilities licensed for 13-20, 21-49, and 50+ children).

Does CPR/First Aid count toward Maine training hours?

States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit before relying on it for your annual total.

Maine childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Maine administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation Unit before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.