Colorado Childcare CPR Requirements: CDEC Licensing Guide
Last Updated: March 4, 2026
Colorado's Department of Early Childhood (CDEC, formerly CDHS Office of Early Childhood) requires CPR and first aid certification for staff at all licensed childcare centers, preschools, and school-age programs. The certification must cover adult, child, AND infant CPR plus AED use, and it must include a hands-on skills component.
If you operate or work at a licensed childcare facility in Colorado, here is your complete compliance guide.
Enroll your childcare staff in AHA-certified CPR training.
Who Must Be Certified
All direct care staff at licensed childcare centers and preschools must hold current CPR and first aid certification. Family childcare home applicants must complete training before their initial licensing visit.
New employees have a 30-day window: staff not required to be fully certified at hire must complete an Introduction to First Aid and CPR within 30 days of employment and maintain certification every other year.
Certification Requirements
The certification must cover CPR for adults, children, AND infants, include AED training, include first aid, come from a nationally recognized provider (AHA, Red Cross, or equivalent), and include a hands-on skills component. Online-only certifications are not accepted.
The AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED course or the Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED course both satisfy these requirements.
Keeping Your Facility Compliant
Maintaining compliance means tracking certification dates for every staff member, ensuring new hires complete their 30-day training requirement, keeping physical or digital copies of all certifications accessible for inspections, and scheduling renewals before expiration dates.
CPR-Professionals offers on-site training for childcare facilities with six or more staff. We handle all equipment and logistics, and your team receives AHA eCards valid for two years.
Full breakdown of OSHA and employer CPR requirements in Colorado.
CPR training options for babysitters and nannies.
Get Your Childcare Team Certified - Contact Us for Group Rates
