Minnesota Childcare Licensing
Minnesota Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Minnesota childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Each family child care license holder and each second adult caregiver must complete 16 hours of ongoing training each year (each calendar year as of January 1, 2025), and this requirement does not vary by years of experience (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subd. 8(a); DCYF training requirements for family child care providers).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamMinnesota Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Family child care applicants must complete at least 4 hours of child development and learning and behavior guidance training prior to initial licensure plus the 6-hour Supervising for Safety for Family Child Care course, in addition to pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training that must be completed before initial licensure and before caring for a child (no fixed clock-hour minimum is specified in statute for first aid or CPR) (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subds. 3a, 4a, 5a, and 10b), administered through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing system.
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Each family child care license holder and each second adult caregiver must complete 16 hours of ongoing training each year (each calendar year as of January 1, 2025), and this requirement does not vary by years of experience (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subd. 8(a)
not vary by years of experience (Minn. Stat. 1
DCYF training requirements for family child care providers).
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Minnesota Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Family child care applicants must complete at least 4 hours of child development and learning and behavior guidance training prior to initial licensure plus the 6-hour Supervising for Safety for Family Child Care course, in addition to pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training that must be completed before initial licensure and before caring for a child (no fixed clock-hour minimum is specified in statute for first aid or CPR) (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subds. 3a, 4a, 5a, and 10b), administered through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing system. |
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| Annual training | Each family child care license holder and each second adult caregiver must complete 16 hours of ongoing training each year (each calendar year as of January 1, 2025), and this requirement does not vary by years of experience (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subd. 8(a); DCYF training requirements for family child care providers). |
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Minnesota Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Minnesota require?
Family child care applicants must complete at least 4 hours of child development and learning and behavior guidance training prior to initial licensure plus the 6-hour Supervising for Safety for Family Child Care course, in addition to pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training that must be completed before initial licensure and before caring for a child (no fixed clock-hour minimum is specified in statute for first aid or CPR) (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subds. 3a, 4a, 5a, and 10b), administered through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing system.
How many annual training hours does Minnesota require?
Each family child care license holder and each second adult caregiver must complete 16 hours of ongoing training each year (each calendar year as of January 1, 2025), and this requirement does not vary by years of experience (Minn. Stat. 142B.70, subd. 8(a); DCYF training requirements for family child care providers).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Minnesota training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification). before relying on it for your annual total.
Minnesota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Minnesota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Child Care Centers Licensing. Note: child care center licensing transferred from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to DCYF effective June 18, 2025. Existing DHS-issued licenses remain valid and license holders need not reapply; the governing rules (Minn. Rules ch. 9503) remain in force, and the licensing statutes formerly in Minn. Stat. ch. 245A have been recodified into Minn. Stat. ch. 142B (licensing) and ch. 142C (certification). before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.