Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

If you work in childcare in Pennsylvania — whether at a daycare, preschool, home-based care, or camp — first aid and CPR certification is not optional. It's a licensing requirement, and for good reason: children are among the most vulnerable to choking, allergic reactions, and injuries. Being prepared to respond can mean everything.

What Pennsylvania requires

Pennsylvania requires one or more facility persons competent in pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR to be present whenever one or more children are in care, under 55 Pa. Code Section 3270.31. All staff must certify within 90 days of hire, under the Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Keeping that pediatric competency in the room at all times is a core condition of operating.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

Under 55 Pa. Code 3270.133, medication requires written parental consent (with prescriber instructions for prescription drugs), must stay in its original container, and must be stored in a locked area or out of children's reach. The rule adds no specific training or epinephrine provision, so best practice is to keep a child's prescribed autoinjector immediately reachable, paired with an individual allergy action plan and staff trained to recognize anaphylaxis and respond without delay.

How our courses meet these requirements

A recognized, standards-based certification — online theory paired with a hands-on skills check — meets Pennsylvania’s requirement and keeps your team ready to act.

Don't wait for renewal day

A child who chokes, collapses, or reacts to an allergen needs help in seconds, and the trained caregiver present is that help. A pediatric-focused certification built on recognized national standards prepares your staff to respond with calm and skill, and gives Pennsylvania families genuine confidence in your program. It is the clear, license-ready way to keep pediatric first aid and CPR competency in the room every hour you are open.