Annual Training Hours in North Dakota for Child Care Staff - post

Every year, child care programs and staff in North Dakota must complete approved training hours to stay compliant and support safe, high-quality care. This article explains who needs training, how many hours may be required, which courses may count, and how to plan, track, and document training through the North Dakota registry. It also covers common mistakes and simple ways to avoid them.

How many annual training hours do different staff need in North Dakota?

North Dakota sets annual training hours based on license type and, for some staff, how many hours they work each week. That means not every employee follows the same yearly total. 

Use this quick reference to see where staff may fit:

• Self-declared provider: 3 hours each licensing year
• Family license provider: 9 hours each year
• Group license supervisor/director: 10 hours each year

Group license staff

• 30–40 hours per week: 8 hours
• 20–30 hours per week: 6 hours
• 10–20 hours per week: 4 hours

Center, preschool, or school-age director/supervisor: 13 hours each year

Center, preschool, or school-age staff

• 30–40 hours per week: 13 hours
• 20–30 hours per week: 11 hours
• 10–20 hours per week: 9 hours

What trainings count and when must they be done?

Not every course counts toward annual training hours in North Dakota. Some trainings must be completed before staff begin caring for children, while others must be completed during the first few months or every year after that. North Dakota also requires providers to use approved training sources so hours count for licensing and the registry.

Key required trainings and timing

New Provider Orientation

• This is required for new owners and operators before license or self-declaration approval. New directors and supervisors must complete it within 30 days of employment.

This orientation is important, but it typically is not counted toward annual training hours.

Getting Started: 15-hour basic child care course

• All child care providers and staff must complete Getting Started within the first 3 months of becoming licensed or starting work.

This course does count toward training requirements, and North Dakota says it may be taken again every 3 years for credit toward annual training hours.

Mandated Reporter training

• North Dakota requires Mandated Reporter training, and this training must be completed through the State of North Dakota.

Safe Sleep training

• If a program cares for infants, Safe Sleep/SIDS training is required. This is one of the trainings North Dakota requires through the state, not through outside providers.

Pediatric CPR/AED and Pediatric First Aid

• These are required life-safety trainings. 

Approved annual training

• For annual hours, providers should use approved trainings listed through North Dakota’s training system.

The ND Early Childhood Training Calendar lists approved opportunities that count toward licensing and professional development. ChildCareEd is also listed as an approved training sponsor in the North Dakota Early Childhood Workforce Registry for eligible annual and ongoing training.

How can directors plan and track training across the licensing year?

Good planning makes the work feel manageable. Here is a simple, step-by-step plan you can start today. Use a spreadsheet or short form in each staff file so tracking is fast during licensing visits.

Step-by-step yearly plan:

1. List every staff person and their role.
2. Record their weekly work hours (this sets required annual hours).
3. Match each person to the correct yearly hour total (see the breakdown above).
4. Schedule required state trainings early (e.g., Mandated Reporter, Safe Sleep for infant staff).
5. Assign approved courses across the year instead of all at once.

Quick quarterly calendar idea:

Q1: Complete any preservice needs and 25% of annual hours.

Q2: Continue courses and verify Growing Futures IDs are on file.

Q3: Catch up and review certificates.

Q4: Finish remaining hours and prepare a training report for licensing.

Add each staff member’s Growing Futures Registry ID to your training account so approved course completions upload automatically. ChildCareEd explains how uploads work and timing at North Dakota Approved Training.

Tip: check the registry after 5 business days to confirm records.

What common mistakes should programs avoid and why does this matter?

Training keeps children safer, supports staff skills, and helps your program pass licensing checks. If training is late or not approved, programs risk citations and gaps in staff readiness. North Dakota’s rules are there to protect children and support quality care — and a little planning prevents most problems.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them:

🛑 Waiting until the last month.

Fix: schedule courses quarterly now.

📁 Losing certificates.

Fix: keep a digital and paper copy for each staff file.

⚠️ Taking training from non-approved sources.

Fix: choose ND-approved sponsors like ChildCareEd (ND portal).

🔁 Repeating the same course too soon.

Fix: keep a 3-year history so you know what was taken.

📌 Assuming CPR/First Aid always count.

Fix: verify with state guidance—CPR/First Aid often require in-person skills testing and may not count toward annual hours.

If you want ready-made bundles aligned to ND yearly needs, ChildCareEd offers training bundles such as the  Family 9-hour, Staff 13-hour, and Director 13-hour. bundles.