Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

First Aid & CPR Utah

If you work in childcare in Utah — 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.

Requirements at a glance

Regulatory frameworkUtah Administrative Code R381-100 (Child Care Centers), sec. R381-100-7, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Licensing. At least one staff member with current pediatric first aid and CPR certification (Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent) must be present when a child is in care. Equivalent CPR certification must include hands-on testing. Each caregiver completes at least 20 hours of training per year.
Governing authorityUtah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Licensing (Child Care Licensing)
Training hours20 hours required
Min. certified staffAt least one staff member with current pediatric first aid and CPR certification present whenever a child is in care. CPR certification must include hands-on testing.
Online training acceptanceOnline courses accepted
20 hours requiredOnline courses accepted

What Utah requires

Utah's Office of Licensing, within the Department of Health and Human Services, requires under Administrative Code R381-100-7 that at least one staff member with current pediatric first aid and CPR certification be present whenever a child is in care. The CPR certification must include hands-on testing, not a certificate earned by reading alone, and each caregiver completes at least 20 hours of training a year. The rule accepts certification from any recognized national first-aid and CPR provider.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

Under R381-100-17, Utah requires a signed parent medication permission form before staff administer any parent-supplied prescription — including epinephrine — or over-the-counter medication. Nonrefrigerated medication must be either locked away or stored at least 48 inches above the floor, out of children's reach. For a child at risk of anaphylaxis, keeping the auto-injector accessible to trained staff while still secure from other children is the balance the rule is built to protect.

How our courses meet these requirements

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

Don't wait for renewal day

When a young child collapses or a severe allergic reaction sets in, the caregiver present is the first and only responder for the minutes that matter most. Certification turns Utah's yearly training investment into real readiness — hands that know the compressions, the auto-injector, and the airway. A recognized, standards-based course with an in-person skills check meets the state's requirement, keeps your license in good standing, and gives every family the confidence that their child is in capable hands.