Childcare CPR & first aid requirements

If you work in childcare in New Jersey — 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 New Jersey requires

New Jersey's Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52) requires at least two staff members with current first aid and CPR certification to be in the center at all times whenever enrolled children are present. Certification must be initiated within 90 days of hire and completed within one year, then renewed on a two-year cycle, under the Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing. Having two certified adults on hand is a core staffing rule, not an option.

Anaphylaxis and medication administration

N.J.A.C. 3A:52-7.5 requires written parental approval before any medication, limits over-the-counter products to listed categories, and mandates a special care plan for any child prescribed an epinephrine pen. Medication must be kept locked or otherwise inaccessible to children, and at least two staff members must be trained in the health-care procedure, so a child's autoinjector is always matched with trained adults ready to respond to anaphylaxis.

How our courses meet these requirements

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

Don't wait for renewal day

New Jersey asks for two certified adults for a reason: emergencies rarely wait for the one trained person to be free. A pediatric certification built on recognized national standards gives your whole team the skills to act together in the seconds that matter, and gives parents real confidence in your center. It is the straightforward, license-ready way to meet the two-staff rule and keep every child safer.