Arkansas Childcare Licensing

Arkansas Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)

Arkansas childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. All caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6; Child Care Center MLR 301.4).

Licensing Agency

Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Arkansas Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics

All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter)

and every three years thereafter

they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7

Family Home MLR 303.13

Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4).

Family Home MLR 303.13

Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).

Family Home MLR 303.13

All caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6

15

Child Care Center MLR 301.4).

DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6

Arkansas Training Hour Requirements at a Glance

Pre-service trainingAll new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).
Annual trainingAll caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6; Child Care Center MLR 301.4).

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Arkansas Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions

How many pre-service training hours does Arkansas require?

All new caregivers/staff who provide direct care must receive a basic orientation on policies, the Minimum Licensing Requirements, and emergency procedures before providing care, and must complete an eight (8) clock-hour Introduction orientation within three (3) months of employment (and every three years thereafter); they may not be left alone with children until the orientation is completed (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.7; Child Care Center MLR 303.3-303.4). Newly licensed family home caregivers must also attend Family Child Care Provider Training and the Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within six (6) months of being licensed (Family Home MLR 303.13).

How many annual training hours does Arkansas require?

All caregivers/staff who work directly with children must obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of continuing early childhood education training each year, registered with the DCCECE Professional Development Registry or other approved provider (DCCECE Family Home MLR 303.6; Child Care Center MLR 301.4).

Does CPR/First Aid count toward Arkansas training hours?

States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) before relying on it for your annual total.

Arkansas childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Arkansas administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit (functions formerly administered by the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education / DCCECE) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.