New Mexico Childcare Licensing
New Mexico Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
New Mexico childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Each staff person working directly with children more than 20 hours per week, including the director, must obtain at least 24 hours of training each year; substitutes and educators working 20 or fewer hours per week complete half (12 hours) (8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNew Mexico Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
New staff working directly with children must complete the 45-hour entry-level course (or an approved three-credit early-care-and-education course) prior to or within six months of employment
or an approved three-credit early-care-and-education course
the rule does not set a separate clock-hour minimum that must be completed before unsupervised contact (8.16.2.23.B.2.c NMAC), administered by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
8.16.2.23.B.2.c NMAC
Each staff person working directly with children more than 20 hours per week, including the director, must obtain at least 24 hours of training each year
8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC
substitutes and educators working 20 or fewer hours per week complete half (12 hours) (8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC).
8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC
New Mexico Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | New staff working directly with children must complete the 45-hour entry-level course (or an approved three-credit early-care-and-education course) prior to or within six months of employment; the rule does not set a separate clock-hour minimum that must be completed before unsupervised contact (8.16.2.23.B.2.c NMAC), administered by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Each staff person working directly with children more than 20 hours per week, including the director, must obtain at least 24 hours of training each year; substitutes and educators working 20 or fewer hours per week complete half (12 hours) (8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC). |
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New Mexico Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does New Mexico require?
New staff working directly with children must complete the 45-hour entry-level course (or an approved three-credit early-care-and-education course) prior to or within six months of employment; the rule does not set a separate clock-hour minimum that must be completed before unsupervised contact (8.16.2.23.B.2.c NMAC), administered by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
How many annual training hours does New Mexico require?
Each staff person working directly with children more than 20 hours per week, including the director, must obtain at least 24 hours of training each year; substitutes and educators working 20 or fewer hours per week complete half (12 hours) (8.16.2.23.B.2.d and 8.16.2.23.A.6 NMAC).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward New Mexico training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020. before relying on it for your annual total.
New Mexico childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published New Mexico administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020. before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.