Tennessee Childcare Licensing
Tennessee Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Tennessee childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Annual continuing-education clock hours required by rule are: child care center educators 12 hours; center directors at least 24 hours; family/group child care home primary educators 18 hours; and other family/group home educators 12 hours, with at least 6 of those hours in health and safety and at least 3 hours in pre-literacy/literacy skills each year, plus Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training every five (5) years (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamTennessee Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Before unsupervised contact with children, all new child care employees in Tennessee must complete shaken-baby-syndrome/abusive-head-trauma training and Department-recognized pre-service training covering all federally required components, and a family/group child care home primary educator must complete a child care agency orientation session during the pre-licensure period (along with Small Business Academy and Licensing Rules and Regulations training) before a license is issued (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06).
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center directors at least 24 hours
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family/group child care home primary educators 18 hours
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and other family/group home educators 12 hours, with at least 6 of those hours in health and safety and at least 3 hours in pre-literacy/literacy skills each year, plus Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training every five (5) years (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06).
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Tennessee Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Before unsupervised contact with children, all new child care employees in Tennessee must complete shaken-baby-syndrome/abusive-head-trauma training and Department-recognized pre-service training covering all federally required components, and a family/group child care home primary educator must complete a child care agency orientation session during the pre-licensure period (along with Small Business Academy and Licensing Rules and Regulations training) before a license is issued (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06). |
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| Annual training | Annual continuing-education clock hours required by rule are: child care center educators 12 hours; center directors at least 24 hours; family/group child care home primary educators 18 hours; and other family/group home educators 12 hours, with at least 6 of those hours in health and safety and at least 3 hours in pre-literacy/literacy skills each year, plus Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training every five (5) years (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06). |
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Tennessee Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Tennessee require?
Before unsupervised contact with children, all new child care employees in Tennessee must complete shaken-baby-syndrome/abusive-head-trauma training and Department-recognized pre-service training covering all federally required components, and a family/group child care home primary educator must complete a child care agency orientation session during the pre-licensure period (along with Small Business Academy and Licensing Rules and Regulations training) before a license is issued (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06).
How many annual training hours does Tennessee require?
Annual continuing-education clock hours required by rule are: child care center educators 12 hours; center directors at least 24 hours; family/group child care home primary educators 18 hours; and other family/group home educators 12 hours, with at least 6 of those hours in health and safety and at least 3 hours in pre-literacy/literacy skills each year, plus Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) training every five (5) years (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.06).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Tennessee training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services before relying on it for your annual total.
Tennessee childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Tennessee administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.