2026 Child Care Teacher Requirements by State

Jump to your state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Alabama

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED, plus 12 hours of initial training within 30 days of hire. No degree or CDA is required.
• Assistant teacher (aide): age 16 with at least an 8th grade education, under direct supervision. Aides don’t count in ratio.
• Training: health and safety preservice training, then 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Alabama DHR Child Care Services Division (Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.06)

Alaska

• Teaching staff: Alaska sets no separate lead teacher credential. Caregivers must be 18 to count in ratio, and inexperienced caregivers work under an experienced one.
• Assistant teacher: 16 and 17 year olds can count in ratio after a child care course, under adult supervision
• Training: orientation within 3 months, then 24 hours per year
• Note: Anchorage licenses its own centers under city rules.
• Licensing agency: Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (7 AAC 57.320)

Arizona

• Lead teacher (teacher-caregiver): age 18, plus one of: 6 months of experience and a high school diploma or 12 college credits (6 in ECE); an associate or bachelor’s in ECE or a related field; or a NAC, CDA, or CCP
• Assistant teacher: age 16, plus high school enrollment or a diploma, or 12 months as an aide or volunteer
• Training: orientation within 10 days, then 18 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Arizona DHS Bureau of Child Care Licensing (A.A.C. R9-5-401)

Arkansas

• Teaching staff: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED. Arkansas sets no separate lead teacher tier.
• Assistant teacher: 16 and 17 year olds must be in high school or a GED program and directly supervised at all times
• Training: 8 hours of orientation within 3 months, registry enrollment within 30 days, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Arkansas Office of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing (CAR 1025-403)

California

• Lead teacher: age 18. To be hired, at least 6 semester units of ECE or a Child Development Assistant Permit, then 2 units per term until fully qualified. Fully qualified means 12 ECE units plus 6 months of experience, a CDA plus 6 months, or a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit or higher.
• Assistant teacher (aide): age 18 (or younger if a high school graduate or in an occupational program), working under a teacher’s direct supervision
• Licensing agency: CDSS Child Care Licensing Program (22 CCR 101216.1)

Colorado

• Lead teacher (early childhood teacher): age 18, plus a pathway such as a bachelor’s in an ECE major, an associate in ECE, a CDA, a Colorado teaching license, Early Childhood Professional Credential Level II or higher, or ECE credits plus experience
• Assistant teacher: two ECE courses, or one course plus 9 months of experience while enrolled in a second, or Credential Level I. Staff aides can be 16 (18 in infant rooms).
• Training: preservice health and safety modules, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) (8 CCR 1402-1)

Connecticut

• Lead teacher (head teacher): OEC-approved, age 20 with a high school diploma, plus 1,080 supervised hours and a CDA or 12 ECE credits, or a bachelor’s in ECE plus 360 hours and student teaching. The head teacher must be on site 60% of weekly hours.
• Assistant teacher: age 16, working under supervision
• Training: health and safety training within 3 months, then ongoing training each year
• Licensing agency: Office of Early Childhood (OEC) (Regs. 19a-79-4a)

Delaware

• Lead teacher (early childhood teacher): age 18, plus a related degree with 6 ECE credits and experience; any degree with 6 ECE credits and 6 months; or a high school diploma, 12 months of experience, and ECE credits, a CDA, or another approved credential
• Assistant teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma, 6 months of experience, and 6 ECE credits or approved training
• Training: 18 hours per year for staff working 25 or more hours a week
• Licensing agency: Delaware DOE, Office of Child Care Licensing (14 DE Admin. Code 933)

District of Columbia

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus an associate or higher in an ECE-related major; any associate or 60 credits with 12 ECE credits; or a CDA while enrolled in a degree program
• Assistant teacher: age 18 with a CDA, 60 credits, or an associate degree. A high school diploma is accepted if a CDA is earned within 2 years.
• Licensing agency: OSSE Licensing and Compliance (2025 final rule)

Florida

• Teaching staff: all staff start the state’s 40-hour introductory child care course within 90 days and finish within 1 year. For every 20 children, one staff member must hold a staff credential, such as a CDA, the Birth Through Five Florida Child Care Professional Credential, or an associate in ECE.
• Training: 10 hours per year, plus 5 hours of early literacy training
• Licensing agency: DCF Office of Child Care Regulation (s. 402.305, F.S.)

Georgia

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus one of: a CDA; a Technical Certificate of Credit or diploma in ECE; an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s in ECE or child development; a Georgia Paraprofessional Certificate; 15 semester hours in ECE; or a bachelor’s in another field plus 3 months of experience. New hires without one can enroll within 6 months and finish within 18 months.
• Assistant teacher: age 16 in larger centers, with no education requirement. Staff under 18 may never be solely responsible for children.
• Training: orientation before working with children, then 10 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Georgia DECAL (Rule 591-1-1-.31)

Hawaii

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus one of: a degree in ECE or child development plus 6 months of experience; a CDA plus 1 year of supervised teaching; 60 credits plus an ECE certificate and 1 year; or a bachelor’s with ECE credits plus 6 months
• Assistant teacher: a CDA, or an associate with an ECE certificate, or 60 credits including 9 in ECE, plus 6 months. Child care aides must be at least 16 and complete a child care course or the center’s orientation.
• Training: health and safety training within 45 days, then 16 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DHS Child Care Licensing (preschool qualifications guide)

Idaho

• Lead teacher: Idaho sets no statewide education or credential requirement for teachers. Staff must be at least 16, and anyone counted in ratio needs pediatric CPR and first aid.
• Assistant teacher: staff aged 16 or 17 count in ratio only while an adult supervises them
• Training: 4 hours per year
• Note: Some Idaho cities have their own, stricter child care rules.
• Licensing agency: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Daycare Licensing (IDAPA 16.06.03)

Illinois

• Lead teacher (early childhood teacher): age 19 with a high school diploma or GED, plus one of: 60 semester hours (6 in child development); 1 year of experience plus 30 semester hours (6 in child development); or a CDA, CCP, or Gateways ECE Credential Level 3 or higher
• Assistant teacher (early childhood assistant): a high school diploma or GED, working under a teacher’s direct supervision
• Training: Gateways Registry sign-up within 30 days, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) (23 Ill. Adm. Code 2008 (formerly 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140))

Indiana

• Lead teacher (lead caregiver): a CDA; a bachelor’s in ECE or in elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement; or a bachelor’s with 15 ECE credits or an associate in ECE. New hires without one must enroll within 1 year and keep taking coursework.
• Assistant teacher (caregiver): age 18 with a high school diploma or GED
• Training: 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: FSSA Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (470 IAC 3-4.7)

Iowa

• Lead teacher: Iowa sets no separate education requirement for classroom teachers. Only directors and on-site supervisors have education requirements.
• Assistant teacher: staff counted in ratio must be at least 16. Staff under 18 may not be the only caregiver, except in school-age groups.
• Training: preservice training within 3 months, 10 hours in the first year, then 6 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Iowa HHS Child Care (441 IAC 109)

Kansas

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED, plus one of: an associate or higher in a related field, an ECE technical certificate, a CDA, 3 semester hours plus 3 months of experience, or 6 months of experience with the same age group
• Assistant teacher: age 16, with no education requirement. A lead teacher must be present with each group.
• Training: orientation within 7 days, then 16 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC) (K.A.R. 28-4-429)

Kentucky

• Teaching staff: Kentucky sets no separate lead teacher credential. Staff need a high school diploma, a GED, or a Commonwealth Child Care Credential.
• Assistant teacher: staff under 18 work under direct supervision of qualified staff
• Training: 6 hours of orientation within 3 months, 9 hours in the first year, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: CHFS Division of Regulated Child Care (922 KAR 2:090)

Louisiana

• Lead teacher: an Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate or a Louisiana teaching certificate, or enrollment in ECAC training with the certificate earned within 24 months
• Assistant teacher: staff 18 and older count in ratio. Staff aged 16 or 17 count only under an adult’s direct supervision.
• Training: orientation modules in the first 30 days, then 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Louisiana Department of Education (Bulletin 137)

Maine

• Lead teacher (programs with 13 or more children): age 18, plus a CDA or Maine-approved credential, 12 months of child care experience, or 30 college credits (including a child-related course) plus 6 months
• Assistant teacher: a high school diploma or GED, or enrollment in high school or a GED program. Staff aged 16 or 17 work under direct supervision.
• Training: orientation within 90 days, then up to 30 hours per year depending on hours worked
• Licensing agency: Maine DHHS Child Care Licensing (10-148 CMR Ch. 32)

Maryland

• Lead teacher (child care teacher): age 19 with a high school diploma or GED, plus 90 clock hours or 6 semester hours of approved preservice training (or a CDA or ECE degree), communication and ADA training, and 1 year of supervised experience with preschoolers or 1 year of college
• Assistant teacher (aide): age 16, working under direct supervision of the staff member in charge of the group
• Training: 12 hours per year for teachers, 6 for aides
• Licensing agency: MSDE Office of Child Care (COMAR 13A.16.06.09)

Massachusetts

• Lead teacher: age 21 with a high school diploma or GED, child development coursework, and 9 to 36 months of supervised experience depending on education (36 months with credits only, 27 with a CDA, 9 with an ECE bachelor’s). A Massachusetts PreK license or ECE bachelor’s can qualify you outright.
• Assistant teacher: age 16 and enrolled in or finished with high school, always supervised by a qualified teacher
• Training: EEC orientation before starting, then 20 hours per year for staff working 20 or more hours a week
• Licensing agency: Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) (minimum hiring requirements)

Michigan

• Lead teacher: age 19 with a high school diploma or GED, plus experience and training such as 1 year of experience and 15 hours of MiRegistry training, 6 months of experience and 90 clock hours of coursework, or a CDA, Montessori credential, or associate degree. Infant and toddler leads add 45 hours within 6 months.
• Assistant teacher (teacher): age 16, with no education requirement
• Training: orientation within 30 to 90 days, then 16 hours per year
• Licensing agency: MiLEAP Child Care Licensing Bureau (R 400.8210)

Minnesota

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus one of 9 education and experience options. Examples include a CDA plus 1,560 hours, any bachelor’s plus 1,040 hours and 18 quarter credits, or a Minnesota prekindergarten license.
• Assistant teacher: age 18, working under a teacher, with options such as a CDA or a high school diploma plus 2,080 hours and 12 quarter credits. Aides can be 16 and work under supervision.
• Training: CPR and first aid within 90 days, then 24 hours per year for full-time staff
• Licensing agency: Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) (Minn. R. 9503.0032)

Mississippi

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 18, plus a high school diploma or GED, a CDA or state child care credential, or 3 years of experience with children. Mississippi doesn’t set a separate lead teacher tier.
• Assistant teacher: age 16, always under direct on-site supervision, and never the only caregiver for a group
• Training: 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Mississippi State Department of Health, Child Care Licensure (15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 11)

Missouri

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 18 to count in ratio. Missouri sets no education or experience minimum for caregivers.
• Assistant teacher (junior aide): ages 16 to 17, counted in ratio only under an adult’s direct supervision
• Training: orientation within 7 days, then 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DESE Office of Childhood (5 CSR 25-500.102)

Montana

• Lead teacher: age 18, enrolled in the Practitioner Registry, with CPR and first aid and a combination of education, training, or experience approved by the Registry or department
• Teacher: age 16, working with guidance from a lead teacher or director
• Training: orientation required. Confirm annual hours with the department.
• Licensing agency: DPHHS Child Care Licensing (ARM 37.96)

Nebraska

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus an associate or bachelor’s in ECE, education, or child development; a CDA; a Nebraska teaching certificate; or a high school diploma or GED plus 1,500 hours of group experience or coursework within 6 months
• Support staff: age 16, with a teacher in the room at all times
• Training: orientation before working with children, then 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DHHS Child Care Licensing (391 NAC 3-006)

Nevada

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 16. Nevada sets no statewide education requirement for caregivers. Caregivers under 18 must complete or be enrolled in an approved child development course and work under adult supervision.
• Training: orientation within 2 weeks, CPR and first aid within 120 days, then 24 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Division of Social Services, Child Care Licensing (NAC 432A)

New Hampshire

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED, plus one of: 18 related credits and 1,000 hours, 12 credits and 3,000 hours, a CDA, a MACTE Montessori credential, or the NH ECE Apprenticeship
• Associate teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED plus 9 credits or equivalent
• Assistant teacher: age 16, working under direct supervision
• Training: 6 hours of orientation within 90 days, then 18 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DHHS Child Care Licensing Unit (He-C 4002)

New Jersey

• Group teacher: 1 year of experience with children under 6, plus an associate in ECE, 15 qualifying credits (6 in ECE), a CDA, a CCP, a Professional Impact NJ endorsement, or the NJ Infant/Toddler Credential
• Head teacher: New Jersey also requires a head teacher, with options such as a bachelor’s in a related field plus ECE credits and experience, Montessori certification plus 2 years, or a Head Teacher endorsement
• Assistant teacher: no education requirement. Staff under 18 must be directly supervised by an adult.
• Training: 20 hours per year for head and group teachers, 12 hours for other staff
• Licensing agency: NJ DCF Office of Licensing (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.6)

New Mexico

• Teaching staff (educators): age 18, plus a 45-hour entry-level course or a 3-credit ECE course, completed before hire or within 6 months. New Mexico doesn’t set a separate lead teacher tier.
• Training: 24 hours per year for staff working more than 20 hours a week
• Licensing agency: Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) (8.16.2 NMAC)

New York

• Lead teacher (outside NYC): for preschool rooms, an associate in ECE; a CDA plus 1 year; or 9 ECE credits plus a study plan and 2 years. Infant and toddler rooms have similar options.
• Lead teacher (New York City): a preschool group teacher needs a bachelor’s in ECE plus New York State certification, 2 years of experience, or an approved study plan
• Assistant teacher: a high school diploma or equivalent, or 1 year of experience with children. In NYC, assistants must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED.
• Training: 30 hours every 2 years, including 15 in the first 6 months
• Licensing agency: OCFS Child Care Services (18 NYCRR 418-1.13); in NYC, Health Code Article 47

North Carolina

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma, plus the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or an equivalent. New hires enroll within 6 months and finish within 18 months.
• Assistant teacher: age 16 to count in ratio. Staff under 18 work under a credentialed staff member and can’t be in charge of a group.
• Training: 5 to 20 hours per year depending on education, plus CPR and first aid within 90 days
• Licensing agency: NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education (10A NCAC 09 .0710)

North Dakota

• Lead teacher (supervisor): an associate in early childhood, a CDA or approved diploma, Montessori certification, or a high school diploma or GED plus 1 year of child care experience
• Assistant teacher: age 14 or older. Staff under 18 work under adult supervision.
• Training: a basic child care course and CPR and first aid within 90 days, then up to 13 hours per year
• Licensing agency: ND Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing (N.D. Admin. Code 75-03-10)

Ohio

• Teaching staff: Ohio sets no separate lead teacher qualification. Staff must be at least 16 and have finished high school, or be a high school junior or senior in an ECE career-tech, CDA, or college-credit program.
• Training: orientation within 30 days, CPR and first aid within 90 days, then 6 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Ohio Department of Children and Youth (OAC 5180:2-12-08)

Oklahoma

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED. Centers also need a master teacher (a CDA or 12 ECE credits) for every 60 children. All teaching staff earn an Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder certificate within 12 months.
• Assistant teacher: age 16 and in high school or a graduate, working under on-site oversight
• Training: entry-level training within 90 days, then 12 to 20 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Oklahoma Human Services, Child Care Licensing (OAC 340:110-3-284.2)

Oregon

• Lead teacher: age 18, plus one of: 750 hours of qualifying center experience, Oregon Registry Step 6 or 9 quarter credits, an associate in a related field, or a CDA
• Assistant teacher: Aide I can be 14 or older and must stay in sight and sound of qualified staff. Aide II is 18 or older with 240 hours as an aide.
• Training: orientation within 10 days, CPR and first aid within 90 days, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) (Certified Child Care Center rules)

Pennsylvania

• Lead teacher (group supervisor): age 18, plus a bachelor’s in ECE or a related field; a bachelor’s with 30 related credits plus 1 year; an associate in a related field plus 2 years; or an associate with 30 credits plus 3 years
• Assistant teacher (assistant group supervisor): age 18 with a high school diploma or GED, plus college credits, a 600-hour training program, or 2 years of experience. A CDA counts toward this.
• Aide: a high school diploma or GED, always working under an assistant group supervisor or higher
• Training: 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: DHS Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) (55 Pa. Code 3270.35 to 3270.37)

Rhode Island

• Lead teacher: a high school diploma or GED plus 3 years of experience; a CDA plus 1 year; 12 ECE credits plus 3 months; or an associate or higher in a related field
• Assistant teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED. Teacher aides can be 16 and must always work with an adult staff member.
• Training: 24 hours per year for full-time staff
• Licensing agency: RI DHS Child Care Licensing (218-RICR-70-00-1)

South Carolina

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 18 with a high school diploma or GED. New caregivers work under direct supervision for at least 30 days. South Carolina sets no separate lead teacher tier.
• Assistant: a 17-year-old with a high school diploma or GED can work with a qualified caregiver in the room
• Training: 15 hours of health and safety training within 30 days, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: SC DSS Division of Early Care and Education (S.C. Code 63-13-30)

South Dakota

• Teaching staff (provider): age 18, with no education requirement
• Assistant: age 14, never left alone with children, and counted in ratio only under direct supervision
• Training: health and safety orientation within 90 days, then 10 hours per year
• Licensing agency: SD DSS Child Care Services (ARSD 67:42:17:09)

Tennessee

• Teaching staff (educator): age 18. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for educators who are alone with a group.
• Student assistant: age 16 and enrolled in a technical child care education program
• Training: state preservice training before unsupervised work, then 12 hours per year
• Licensing agency: TN DHS Child Care Services (1240-04-01-.06)

Texas

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent. Texas sets no separate lead teacher tier.
• Assistant: 16 and 17 year olds with a diploma, or students in an approved child care career program, count in ratio only when supervised in the same room
• Training: 24 hours of preservice training (8 before counting in ratio), then 24 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Texas HHSC Child Care Regulation (26 TAC 746.1107)

Utah

• Teaching staff (caregiver): age 16, with no education requirement. Caregivers under 18 can work unsupervised only while the director is on site, for up to 2 hours at a time.
• Training: a 2.5-hour preservice course before starting, then 20 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Utah DHHS Child Care Licensing (R381-100-7)

Vermont

• Teacher: age 20 with a high school diploma or GED, plus Career Ladder Level 4, a bachelor’s (in ECE, or any field with 30 ECE credits) plus 12 months, or a Vermont teaching license
• Teacher associate: age 20 with a high school diploma or GED, plus Career Ladder Level 3, an associate in ECE plus 12 months, a child care apprenticeship, or 21 ECE credits plus 12 months
• Teacher assistant: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED, plus Career Ladder Level 1 or 2, a CDA, or child development coursework, each with 12 months of experience
• Training: 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: VT DCF Child Development Division

Virginia

• Lead teacher (program leader): age 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent, plus a child-related bachelor’s or endorsement; 3 months of experience plus an ECE certificate, CDA, or Montessori diploma; or 6 months of supervised experience plus 24 hours of training
• Aide: age 16, with no education requirement
• Training: state orientation within 90 days, then 16 hours per year
• Licensing agency: Virginia DOE Office of Child Care Health and Safety (8VAC20-780-210)

Washington

• Lead teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent. Lead teachers must earn the ECE Initial Certificate within 5 years of hire (existing staff by August 2030), then the ECE Short Certificate.
• Assistant teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent, with the same Initial Certificate deadline
• Training: Child Care Basics before working unsupervised, then 10 hours per year
• Licensing agency: WA DCYF (WAC 110-300-0100)

West Virginia

• Teacher: age 18 with a high school diploma or GED and 1 year of experience, plus the West Virginia Training Certificate in Early Care and Education (WVTCECE), a CDA plus 300 hours, 12 credits plus 300 hours, or 2 years of experience
• Assistant teacher: age 18 with 1 year of experience and the WVTCECE. Teaching assistants enrolled in it work under continuous supervision.
• Training: orientation in the first week, then 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: WV Early Care and Education (78 CSR 1)

Wisconsin

• Lead teacher (child care teacher): age 18 with a high school diploma, 240 hours as an assistant teacher, and before starting, ECE credits, DCF courses, a Registry credential, a CDA, a degree, or a teaching license
• Assistant teacher: age 16 (as of August 2026), working under a teacher’s supervision, with ECE coursework within 6 months
• Training: 15 hours per year
• Licensing agency: WI DCF Child Care Licensing

Wyoming

• Teaching staff: age 16, with no statewide education requirement for staff other than directors and assistant directors. Staff under 18 must be directly supervised by an adult at all times.
• Training: preservice training within 3 months, then 12 training credits per year, plus first aid and CPR
• Licensing agency: WY Department of Family Services (Chapter 11 rules)