Oklahoma Childcare Licensing

Oklahoma Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)

Oklahoma childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Oklahoma requires at least twelve (12) clock-hours of approved ECE/CD/SA professional development annually to maintain Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) Level 1 — the minimum level required for caregivers — and twenty (20) clock-hours annually for Levels 2 through 11 (OAC 340 Appendix FF — Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder; required by OAC 340:110-3-85(h) for homes and OAC 340:110-3-284 for centers).

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Oklahoma Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics

Oklahoma sets no single flat pre-service clock-hour number

OAC 340:110-3-85(h)

for child care centers, personnel obtain orientation within one (1) week of employment and prior to having sole responsibility for a group of children, and teaching personnel hired after August 1, 2003 complete an approved Entry Level Child Care Training (ELCCT) or equivalent prior to, or within ninety (90) calendar days of, employment (OAC 340:110-3-284(d)(3) and (d)(5))

OAC 340:110-3-284(d)(3) and (d)(5)

for family child care homes, caregivers obtain health-and-safety professional development before caring for children and two (2) or more clock-hours of safe-sleep training before caring for infants (OAC 340:110-3-85(h)).

OAC 340:110-3-85(h)

Oklahoma requires at least twelve (12) clock-hours of approved ECE/CD/SA professional development annually to maintain Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) Level 1 — the minimum level required for caregivers — and twenty (20) clock-hours annually for Levels 2 through 11 (OAC 340 Appendix FF — Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder

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required by OAC 340:110-3-85(h) for homes and OAC 340:110-3-284 for centers).

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Oklahoma Training Hour Requirements at a Glance

Pre-service trainingOklahoma sets no single flat pre-service clock-hour number; for child care centers, personnel obtain orientation within one (1) week of employment and prior to having sole responsibility for a group of children, and teaching personnel hired after August 1, 2003 complete an approved Entry Level Child Care Training (ELCCT) or equivalent prior to, or within ninety (90) calendar days of, employment (OAC 340:110-3-284(d)(3) and (d)(5)); for family child care homes, caregivers obtain health-and-safety professional development before caring for children and two (2) or more clock-hours of safe-sleep training before caring for infants (OAC 340:110-3-85(h)).
Annual trainingOklahoma requires at least twelve (12) clock-hours of approved ECE/CD/SA professional development annually to maintain Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) Level 1 — the minimum level required for caregivers — and twenty (20) clock-hours annually for Levels 2 through 11 (OAC 340 Appendix FF — Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder; required by OAC 340:110-3-85(h) for homes and OAC 340:110-3-284 for centers).

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Oklahoma Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

How many pre-service training hours does Oklahoma require?

Oklahoma sets no single flat pre-service clock-hour number; for child care centers, personnel obtain orientation within one (1) week of employment and prior to having sole responsibility for a group of children, and teaching personnel hired after August 1, 2003 complete an approved Entry Level Child Care Training (ELCCT) or equivalent prior to, or within ninety (90) calendar days of, employment (OAC 340:110-3-284(d)(3) and (d)(5)); for family child care homes, caregivers obtain health-and-safety professional development before caring for children and two (2) or more clock-hours of safe-sleep training before caring for infants (OAC 340:110-3-85(h)).

How many annual training hours does Oklahoma require?

Oklahoma requires at least twelve (12) clock-hours of approved ECE/CD/SA professional development annually to maintain Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (OPDL) Level 1 — the minimum level required for caregivers — and twenty (20) clock-hours annually for Levels 2 through 11 (OAC 340 Appendix FF — Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder; required by OAC 340:110-3-85(h) for homes and OAC 340:110-3-284 for centers).

Does CPR/First Aid count toward Oklahoma training hours?

States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services (CCS) / Licensing before relying on it for your annual total.

Oklahoma childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Oklahoma administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), Child Care Services (CCS) / Licensing before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.