South Carolina Childcare Licensing
South Carolina Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
South Carolina childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(5)(b)-(c), eff. June 22, 2018; registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements).
Licensing Agency
South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamSouth Carolina Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision)
or remain under direct supervision
no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C.
S.C
In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C.
first aid and CPR not counted
registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements).
SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements
South Carolina Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision); no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(4) & K.(5)(a), eff. June 22, 2018). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(5)(b)-(c), eff. June 22, 2018; registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements). |
Go Deeper
Generate a South Carolina-Compliant Handbook
TotReady builds a fully compliant parent handbook for your South Carolina childcare center in minutes — every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.
South Carolina Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does South Carolina require?
South Carolina child care centers must give every new staff member, volunteer, and emergency person orientation (job duties, applicable regulations, and health/safety policies and procedures) before they begin working, and within six months of employment a teacher/caregiver must obtain six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education (or remain under direct supervision); no fixed pre-service clock-hour count is otherwise set, and registered family child care homes have no separately specified pre-service training-hour requirement (S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(4) & K.(5)(a), eff. June 22, 2018).
How many annual training hours does South Carolina require?
In South Carolina child care centers, directors must complete at least 20 clock hours of training annually and all direct-care staff at least 15 clock hours annually (first aid and CPR not counted), per S.C. Reg. 114-503.K.(5)(b)-(c), eff. June 22, 2018; registered family child care home operators, staff, and household members must complete at least 10 clock hours of training each year (SC DSS scchildcare.org Registered Family Child Care Home requirements).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward South Carolina training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing before relying on it for your annual total.
South Carolina childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published South Carolina administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS), Division of Early Care and Education — Child Care Licensing before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.