Arizona Childcare Licensing
Arizona Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Arizona childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas; a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2; 31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamArizona Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total
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instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).
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Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas
increased from the prior 18 hours
a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2
staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9
31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025).
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Arizona Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas; a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2; 31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025). |
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Arizona Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Arizona require?
Arizona does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; instead, within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee must provide and each child-care staff member must complete new-staff orientation training covering required topics (facility philosophy, child guidance, hand washing, diapering, recognition of illness, abuse/neglect detection and reporting, accident and emergency procedures, sun safety, and transportation/field-trip procedures if applicable) (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(A), Supp. 25-2).
How many annual training hours does Arizona require?
Each child-care center staff member who provides child care services must complete 24 or more clock hours of training every 12 months under Arizona's rules amended effective Aug. 3, 2025 (increased from the prior 18 hours), covering at least two topic areas; a staff member with less than 12 months of child care experience must complete at least 12 hours in child growth and development topics in the first 12 months (Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-403(B), Supp. 25-2; 31 A.A.R. 2015, effective Aug. 3, 2025).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Arizona training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care before relying on it for your annual total.
Arizona childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Arizona administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Care before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.