New Hampshire Childcare Licensing
New Hampshire Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
New Hampshire childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators/directors, and child care staff must complete 18 hours of professional development within their first 12 months of hire and annually thereafter, of which a minimum of 3 hours must be in health and safety topics; part-time staff working fewer than 25 hours per week must complete 12 hours within their first 12 months and annually thereafter (He-C 4002.33(f),(g)).
Licensing Agency
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU) →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNew Hampshire Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Child care staff responsible for supervising children must complete a minimum of 6 hours of professional development (orientation) within 90 days of the first date of employment, or within 2 weeks for programs operating 3 months of the year or less (He-C 4002.33(a)).
He-C 4002.33(a)
part-time staff working fewer than 25 hours per week must complete 12 hours within their first 12 months and annually thereafter (He-C 4002.33(f),(g)).
He-C 4002.33(f),(g)
New Hampshire Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Child care staff responsible for supervising children must complete a minimum of 6 hours of professional development (orientation) within 90 days of the first date of employment, or within 2 weeks for programs operating 3 months of the year or less (He-C 4002.33(a)). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators/directors, and child care staff must complete 18 hours of professional development within their first 12 months of hire and annually thereafter, of which a minimum of 3 hours must be in health and safety topics; part-time staff working fewer than 25 hours per week must complete 12 hours within their first 12 months and annually thereafter (He-C 4002.33(f),(g)). |
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New Hampshire Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does New Hampshire require?
Child care staff responsible for supervising children must complete a minimum of 6 hours of professional development (orientation) within 90 days of the first date of employment, or within 2 weeks for programs operating 3 months of the year or less (He-C 4002.33(a)).
How many annual training hours does New Hampshire require?
Center directors, agency administrators, site coordinators/directors, and child care staff must complete 18 hours of professional development within their first 12 months of hire and annually thereafter, of which a minimum of 3 hours must be in health and safety topics; part-time staff working fewer than 25 hours per week must complete 12 hours within their first 12 months and annually thereafter (He-C 4002.33(f),(g)).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward New Hampshire training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU) before relying on it for your annual total.
New Hampshire childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published New Hampshire administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Unit (CCLU) before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.