Pennsylvania Childcare Licensing
Pennsylvania Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Pennsylvania childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)); professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamPennsylvania Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total
55 Pa
the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)).
55 Pa
Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e))
55 Pa
professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)).
55 Pa
Pennsylvania Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)); professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)). |
Go Deeper
Generate a Pennsylvania-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your Pennsylvania childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
Pennsylvania Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Pennsylvania require?
Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)).
How many annual training hours does Pennsylvania require?
Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)); professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Pennsylvania training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services before relying on it for your annual total.
Pennsylvania childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Pennsylvania administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.