Massachusetts Childcare Licensing
Massachusetts Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Massachusetts childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Family child care educators must complete at least 5 hours of professional development per year if working more than 25 hours/year but fewer than 10 hours/week, and at least 10 hours per year if working 10 or more hours/week; small group and school-age educators must complete 10 hours per year; and large group educators of children younger than school age must complete 5, 12, or 20 hours per year depending on weekly hours worked (606 CMR 7.09(15)(f); 7.09(16)(c) for small group/school-age; 7.09(18)(d) for large group).
Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMassachusetts Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Massachusetts does not set a fixed numeric pre-service orientation clock-hour count in regulation
606 CMR 7.09
all educators must attend a Department-approved orientation to early education and care, and family child care licensees must hold current basic first aid and age-appropriate CPR certification prior to licensure, but no specific clock-hour minimum is stated (606 CMR 7.09).
606 CMR 7.09
Family child care educators must complete at least 5 hours of professional development per year if working more than 25 hours/year but fewer than 10 hours/week, and at least 10 hours per year if working 10 or more hours/week
606 CMR 7.09(15)(f)
small group and school-age educators must complete 10 hours per year
606 CMR 7.09(15)(f)
and large group educators of children younger than school age must complete 5, 12, or 20 hours per year depending on weekly hours worked (606 CMR 7.09(15)(f)
606 CMR 7.09(15)(f)
7.09(16)(c) for small group/school-age
c
7.09(18)(d) for large group).
d
Massachusetts Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Massachusetts does not set a fixed numeric pre-service orientation clock-hour count in regulation; all educators must attend a Department-approved orientation to early education and care, and family child care licensees must hold current basic first aid and age-appropriate CPR certification prior to licensure, but no specific clock-hour minimum is stated (606 CMR 7.09). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Family child care educators must complete at least 5 hours of professional development per year if working more than 25 hours/year but fewer than 10 hours/week, and at least 10 hours per year if working 10 or more hours/week; small group and school-age educators must complete 10 hours per year; and large group educators of children younger than school age must complete 5, 12, or 20 hours per year depending on weekly hours worked (606 CMR 7.09(15)(f); 7.09(16)(c) for small group/school-age; 7.09(18)(d) for large group). |
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Massachusetts Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Massachusetts require?
Massachusetts does not set a fixed numeric pre-service orientation clock-hour count in regulation; all educators must attend a Department-approved orientation to early education and care, and family child care licensees must hold current basic first aid and age-appropriate CPR certification prior to licensure, but no specific clock-hour minimum is stated (606 CMR 7.09).
How many annual training hours does Massachusetts require?
Family child care educators must complete at least 5 hours of professional development per year if working more than 25 hours/year but fewer than 10 hours/week, and at least 10 hours per year if working 10 or more hours/week; small group and school-age educators must complete 10 hours per year; and large group educators of children younger than school age must complete 5, 12, or 20 hours per year depending on weekly hours worked (606 CMR 7.09(15)(f); 7.09(16)(c) for small group/school-age; 7.09(18)(d) for large group).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Massachusetts training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care before relying on it for your annual total.
Massachusetts childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Massachusetts administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.