South Dakota Childcare Licensing
South Dakota Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
South Dakota childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 6 hours of annual training, and each director and provider of center and school-age programs counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 10 hours of annual training (orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed), per ARSD 67:42:17:18; per the DSS handbook, providers in summer-only programs and regular substitutes complete 4 hours, while occasional substitutes need only maintain current pediatric CPR and Advanced Level II health-and-safety training.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamSouth Dakota Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
No fixed clock-hour count is set
infectious disease control
under ARSD 67:42:17:17 all providers must, within 90 days after the date of employment, complete and obtain documentation of orientation in 13 listed health-and-safety areas (infectious disease control
infectious disease control
SIDS prevention/safe sleep
infectious disease control
food and allergic-reaction emergencies
infectious disease control
shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma
infectious disease control
recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect
infectious disease control
and child development), and may not care for children without supervision until orientation in each area is complete, per the SD DSS Guide to Child Care Licensing Rules (effective May 2026).
effective May 2026
Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 6 hours of annual training, and each director and provider of center and school-age programs counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 10 hours of annual training (orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed), per ARSD 67:42:17:18
orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed
per the DSS handbook, providers in summer-only programs and regular substitutes complete 4 hours, while occasional substitutes need only maintain current pediatric CPR and Advanced Level II health-and-safety training.
orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed
South Dakota Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | No fixed clock-hour count is set; under ARSD 67:42:17:17 all providers must, within 90 days after the date of employment, complete and obtain documentation of orientation in 13 listed health-and-safety areas (infectious disease control; SIDS prevention/safe sleep; medication administration; food and allergic-reaction emergencies; building/premises safety; shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma; emergency preparedness; hazardous materials; transporting children; recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect; pediatric first aid; pediatric CPR; and child development), and may not care for children without supervision until orientation in each area is complete, per the SD DSS Guide to Child Care Licensing Rules (effective May 2026). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 6 hours of annual training, and each director and provider of center and school-age programs counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 10 hours of annual training (orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed), per ARSD 67:42:17:18; per the DSS handbook, providers in summer-only programs and regular substitutes complete 4 hours, while occasional substitutes need only maintain current pediatric CPR and Advanced Level II health-and-safety training. |
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South Dakota Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does South Dakota require?
No fixed clock-hour count is set; under ARSD 67:42:17:17 all providers must, within 90 days after the date of employment, complete and obtain documentation of orientation in 13 listed health-and-safety areas (infectious disease control; SIDS prevention/safe sleep; medication administration; food and allergic-reaction emergencies; building/premises safety; shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma; emergency preparedness; hazardous materials; transporting children; recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect; pediatric first aid; pediatric CPR; and child development), and may not care for children without supervision until orientation in each area is complete, per the SD DSS Guide to Child Care Licensing Rules (effective May 2026).
How many annual training hours does South Dakota require?
Each provider of family day care counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 6 hours of annual training, and each director and provider of center and school-age programs counted in staff-child ratios shall complete 10 hours of annual training (orientation training hours count as annual training in the year completed), per ARSD 67:42:17:18; per the DSS handbook, providers in summer-only programs and regular substitutes complete 4 hours, while occasional substitutes need only maintain current pediatric CPR and Advanced Level II health-and-safety training.
Does CPR/First Aid count toward South Dakota training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 before relying on it for your annual total.
South Dakota childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published South Dakota administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Care Services — Office of Licensing and Accreditation (OLA), 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.