Child Care Licensing FAQ

Up to two hours can be counted for CPR each year toward the total number of required annual training hours, unless the card indicates that the training was less than two hours. In that case, the actual lower number of hours will be counted.

Licensing regulations state that up to two hours of CPR can be counted. What if I take a five hour CPR course? Do the extra hours get applied to my annual requirement?

Because no more than two hours of training can be in CPR, Licensing will not count the extra hours taken in a lengthier CPR course toward the annual requirement. Additional training hours would need to be taken to reach the annual requirement.

Does my CPR training have to include infants if I do not work with infants?

You must be certified to administer CPR to children of all ages for which there is care provided at the facility. Example: If your facility serves infants through 12-year-olds, every staff member would be required to be certified for the administration of infants, children and adult CPR. In other words, if you work in a facility licensed to care for infants, and you don’t work in the infant room, you will still need to be certified in infant CPR as well as for older children.

How often can I take CPR and have it count toward my annual requirement?

Once per licensing year, if required or as often as it expires (CPR certification must remain current and some cards expire annually).

Licensing regulations state First Aid and Signs and Symptoms of Illness can only be counted once every three years. Do I have to take it again or is this a one-time requirement?

If you work at a licensed childcare center, the completion of SOI training is required every three years. Even though First Aid is considered a one-time requirement, licesning surveyors may use discretion on requiring it to be taken again and to count the training hours for it again.

I took First Aid and/or Signs and Symptoms of Illness training two years ago. Do I have to take it again now that I am working at a new center?

It is up to the discretion of the licensing surveyor for your new center to make the determination whether these trainings need to be retaken as a refresher.

Can I take online CPR or First Aid?

Per Child Care Licensing, CPR trainings must contain an in-person skill demonstration component to be accepted/approved. As a result, CPR training must be taken in person. However, blended instruction that combines online learning with in-person skill demonstration is permitted.

First Aid training can be taken in-person or online.

CPR and First Aid training provided by the American Heart Association, the American National Red Cross, Medic First Aid International, EMS Safety Services, the American Safety and Health Institute and HSI are automatically accepted by licensing. What if I take an online recertification class through one of these agencies – will licensing count it?

Per State Child Care Licensing, CPR trainings must contain an in-person skill demonstration component to be accepted/approved. As a result, CPR recertification training must be taken in person. However, blended instruction that combines online learning with in-person skill demonstration is permitted.

First Aid recertification training can be taken in-person or online.

Is Bloodborne Pathogens the same as Signs and Symptoms of Illness?

No. Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) is a course most typically required by OSHA that specifically covers the safety protocols for handling all types of bodily fluids and is geared toward the protection of the employee and the person they are coming in contact with. Signs and Symptoms of Illness (SOI) training helps childcare providers understand and recognize communicable diseases and how they can be prevented. It is geared toward the identification of diseases, not the handling of bodily fluids. Both SOI and BBP training are required by Licensing. Because all SOI courses approved by The Nevada Registry now include BBP, you will meet the requirements for both SOI and BBP by taking a single Nevada Registry-approved SOI course.

Example: I am new to childcare and must complete specific training within the first 90 days of employment. Are the hours earned for these initial training sessions included in the required annual hours of training or are they in addition to the annual requirement?

Within the first year of employment, all new staff must complete their initial trainings in the first 90 days (CPR, First Aid, Signs and Symptoms of Illness, Child Abuse, Child Development/Guidance and/or Discipline, Lifelong Wellness, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome if working with children under age one and all CCDBG Health and Safety courses). These hours are included within the required annual hours of training. The remaining training hours can be taken in any Nevada Registry approved topic of choice. Guidelines for Completion

If I change employers and have already taken Signs and Symptoms of Illness, CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Development/Guidance and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (if applicable), do I have to take them again within 90 days of employment at my new employer?

It is up to the discretion of the licensing surveyor for your new center to make the determination whether these trainings need to be retaken as a refresher.

How often can I take Child Abuse and Neglect and have it count toward my annual requirement?

Though Child Abuse & Neglect training is required every five years, the hours of this training can be counted once each licensing year if taken that often. For Registry hours, repeating a course will not grant you additial hours. However, it is recommended you take advantage of other training opportunities rather than repeating trainings you have already taken (unless required to do so).

Is there a limit to the number of hours Licensing will accept for Child Abuse and Neglect training? (Workshops can range between two and six hours.)

No.  Note: Child Care Licensing regulations require courses in Child Abuse and Neglect to be a minimum of two hours in length. 

Can Child Abuse and Neglect training be taken online or out of state?

Child Abuse and Neglect must be taken in Nevada to ensure that the reporting guidelines specific to the state of Nevada are covered. Online courses will only be accepted if they are approved by The Nevada Registry.

Example: I am moving to Nevada from another state. Does my training taken in another state within the last 12 months count or do I have to get the additional required annual hours of training once I relocate? How do I ensure my out of state training will be accepted? And, I have already taken First Aid, CPR and SOI in another state within the last 12 months. Do I have to take them again once I get to Nevada?

In this example, if your CPR certification is current and was provided by the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Red Cross, Medic First Aid International, EMS Safety Services, the American Safety and Health Institute or HSI, licensing will accept it. First Aid taken through any one of these agencies will also be accepted. If CPR and First Aid were not taken from one of the designated agencies, you will be required to retake the training in Nevada by one of these agencies. Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect and SOI training must be taken in Nevada and approved by The Nevada Registry to ensure you have been trained in the reporting guidelines specific to the State of Nevada. It is up to the discretion of the licensing surveyor for your new center to make the determination about whether all other general childcare training (beyond the initial requirements) taken within the last 12 months will be accepted.

Section 2: Questions Regarding Ongoing Training Requirements

Example: I started at my center in October. Licensing comes in December for our annual visit. Do all the required annual training hours need to be completed by December or only a portion?

In this example, no. You will need to complete the all the initial courses (CPR, First Aid, Signs and Symptoms of Illness, Child Abuse & Neglect, Child Development/Guidance for three hours, Lifelong Wellness, all the CCDBG Health & Safety Courses and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, if applicable) within 90 days of hire. If you started at your center in October, and your licensing renewal inspection is completed in December, you would not be required to have any training at that time, as you would not have been employed the 90 days you would have to complete your initial courses of training.

I like to take online courses. Can I take all my required annual training hours this way or do I need to also obtain some community-based/in-person training as well?

If the online training is approved by The Nevada Registry, you can complete all your annual training this way (this applies to ongoing, not initial training. CPR must be taken in person).

What if the online course, module or internet class I am interested in is approved for 20 hours? Do I have to take any other training or can I consider my annual requirements met?

Licensing will count all hours so long as it is approved by The Nevada Registry but the additional hours cannot be applied to the next licensing year. Also keep in mind that you may be required to complete a course in CPR if your certification expires in that year.

If I change employers mid-stream and have already taken some training, do I have to take all of the annual required training hours again, or will some of my past training count?

If the training was obtained within the last 12 months and/or during the current licensing year for your new employer, it would be counted.

Example: I am enrolled at my local community college and will be taking an ECE course on Guidance and Discipline. Does this count for my annual training requirement? What about a class in Psychology, Elementary Education, Sociology etc. (i.e., a course in a related discipline)?

One college credit is equal to 15 clock hours of training. However, the courses are at the discretion of the licensing entity. Some courses will count towards your training requirement, and some may not. Generally, courses in the development of children will count; however, they must be specific to the ages you are working with (i.e. a course in Elementary Education may not count). Please check with the licensing entity prior to enrolling in a course if you are unsure if it will count or not and note that verification of having passed the course must be kept in your employee file.

What if our center’s licensing visit is during the semester and I have not yet completed my ECE course that I plan to use for my annual training requirement?

To apply a course toward the training requirement, you must have completed and passed it prior to the end of the licensing year (must be completed within the facility’s licensing year).   If the end of the facility’s licensing year is during the middle of the semester, and the course is not completed, it will not be counted. Once the course is completed, it can be applied toward the following year’s training.

What do I need to show my licensing surveyor when I’ve taken a college course?

Transcripts or grade reports serve as verification in your file. Official transcripts are not required. Please note because most “Grade Reports” printed from the internet do not show the name of the student who completed the course (only an ID number), licensing will ask you to print out an unofficial transcript.

What if I attended a training course but did not receive a certificate and/or the certificate I received does not contain an approval code from The Nevada Registry?

If you do not have a certificate, or the certificate does not have a Nevada Registry approval code, the course will not be counted toward your annual training requirement. Always be certain to verify a training has been approved PRIOR to taking it.

Can I obtain training hours for implementing my curriculum?

No, the Registry does not issue childcare training hours for the implementation of curriculum. Implementing curriculum is viewed as a function of a job in Early Care and Education and outside the bounds of what is considered “training”. In most cases, curriculum books and materials are discovered via the internet, the library, a store, a colleague or some other means. In most cases, the material is read through and activities are implemented. There typically is not any type of feedback offered from the author of the materials, any “assignments” or activities that assess whether the activities are being implemented correctly, and there generally isn’t a standardized way to grant hours for reading/researching curriculum philosophies and ideas (a certificate isn’t typically issued by anyone). Though the Registry has been made aware of several companies advertising that hours can be earned when purchasing their curriculum books, these companies and their products have not been approved by the Registry; these companies are selling a product, not offering training. This is not to be confused with training that is offered by a trainer in a traditional classroom setting. In this case, the Registry will approve training that is focused on curriculum ideas, etc.; the difference being that it is offered in person with the intent to teach caregivers how to implement the ideas presented. The main goal is not to sell a product.

Can I obtain hours for reading a book or watching a video?

No, the Registry does not grant training hours for reading a standalone book and/or for viewing a video (“standalone” meaning a material that is not part of a training, in not being offered by an organization as a correspondence course, etc. Most commonly, standalone books and videos are found at local libraries). The approval of such materials was discontinued when the Registry took on the training approval system in October 2004. Since that time, hundreds of non-traditional (self-paced, independent study) options have been posted to the online calendar of training; all of which have gone through the approval process and are tied to the issuance of a certificate for completion of a set of predetermined requirements.

Section 3: General Licensing Questions

Am I required to apply to The Nevada Registry?

In April of 2009, participation with the Registry was adopted into State Child Care regulations R112-06 and R001-09. What this means is that if you work in a licensed childcare setting of any type (center, Family/Group Home Care, etc.), and are counted in the staff/child ratios, you must apply to the Registry.

What is the process for becoming licensed (for business license and child care license) and how much does it cost?

Some areas have zoning restrictions, special use permits, business license requirements, fire or health restrictions, etc. which may have associated costs. To learn more about the licensing fees and regulations, visit the State of Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Child Care Licensing Program (DWSS CCL) website.

Do Family Child Care providers have to complete the initial courses of training (CPR, First Aid, Signs and Symptoms of Illness, Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Development/Guidance, Lifelong Wellness, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, if applicable and the CCDBG health and safety courses) PRIOR to opening their doors for business or can it be completed within the first 90 days?

Yes, home providers are required to complete the initial courses of training prior to becoming licensed.

What qualifications do I need to become a director?

Visit the State of Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Child Care Licensing Program (DWSS CCL) website to view the requirements for Facility Director. The qualifications are also spelled out in NAC432A. 300, 420 & 430 of the regulations.

What are the requirements for hiring staff under 18?

A qualified caretaker must be no less than 16 years old, able to summon help, and be emotionally and physically qualified to carry out a program which places emphasis on the development of children. If under age 18, the person must have completed or be currently enrolled in a Child Development Course which is approved by The Nevada Registry. Not more than 50% of caretakers can be under age 18 and someone over age 18 must be on the premises during all hours of operation. There aren’t any age restrictions for Registry membership. All caregivers, including those under age 18, must apply to The Nevada Registry.

What is considered a “course in the development of children” for caregivers who are under 18? Do child development courses taken at regional technical institutes satisfy this requirement?

The course must be approved by The Nevada Registry for the purpose of satisfying this requirement. Licensing currently accepts the following:

1. Child Development courses offered in High School.
2. Six hours of Registry-approved training in Child Development. The requirement can be met by completing any combination of Child Development courses so long as the total hours is six. For example, a caregiver could take six one-hour training courses, two three-hour trainings, three two-hour training courses and so on. A minimum of three of the required six hours must be completed within the first 90 days of employment. The additional three hours must be completed within 90 days or individual must be enrolled in a course and have completion date approved by Child Care Licensing if completion date is longer than 90 days.

To find Child Development courses on the Training Calendar, first select either In-Person, Virtual or Online from the “Training Format” dropdown and then select Child Development under the “Initial Training Requirements” dropdown list and click “Submit”.