Virginia Childcare Licensing
Virginia Childcare Training Hour Requirements (2026)
Virginia childcare staff must complete both pre-service (orientation) training before working with children and ongoing annual training each year. Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamVirginia Training Hour Requirements: The Specifics
Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total
8VAC20-780-240
instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240).
8VAC20-780-240
Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training).
8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training
Virginia Training Hour Requirements at a Glance
| Pre-service training | Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total; instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240). |
|---|---|
| Annual training | Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training). |
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Virginia Training Hour Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How many pre-service training hours does Virginia require?
Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total; instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240).
How many annual training hours does Virginia require?
Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training).
Does CPR/First Aid count toward Virginia training hours?
States differ on whether CPR and First Aid certification counts toward required training hours. Confirm with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs before relying on it for your annual total.
Virginia childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Virginia administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.